About CS1 & CS2
Children’s Specialist 1 – Children’s Specialist 2
Who – What – When – Where – Why – How… And Reminders
Who:
The Children’s Specialist 1 is open to all Level I and above Certified members as the first step to teaching snowsports to children. Members may apply for Children’s Specialist 2 after obtaining Level II Certification.
What:
These are nationally recognized “Certificate Based” programs that address teaching children specifically. The CS1 course includes an e-Learning course with a quiz at the end of each module to ensure comprehension of the learning material. The CS2 course includes an online workbook and an online quiz to validate the material learned in the workbook. Following the online components is a two day on-snow learning based environment that will cover children’s education needs. There is an evaluative component to the on-snow portion of the program. Successful completion of the course grants professional recognition to the instructor for their education, experience, and expertise in teaching snowsports to children.
When:
It is required that members complete their Level I Certification first, followed by Children’s Specialist 1. Members could then pursue and pass their Level II Certification and then their Children’s Specialist 2. Members who are already Level II Certified may proceed directly to Children’s Specialist 2, but completing Children’s Specialist 1 first, is highly recommended.
Where:
The event calendar is a great tool to easily view where and when the Children’s Specialist courses are scheduled.
Why:
Nationally, children’s education in snowsports accounts for 69% of all of the snowsports school business. In part due to the demand for quality children’s educators, PSIA-AASI is offering 2 national certificate programs called Children’s Specialist 1, and Children’s Specialist 2. These programs are evaluative but they are different than certification assessments as the CS programs are highly educational in nature. They are national in scope as the content is the same from region to region and the process is also similar; both have an online component that must be completed prior to attending the course and both have an on-the-hill portion that is spread out over two days.
How:
CS1 Information
Click here for: CS1 & CS2 – Who – What – When – Where – Why – How… And Reminders
Children’s Specialist 1 (CS1) is the entry-level assessment for instructors who specialize in working with children. The course includes:
- an online CS1 e-Learning course (estimated at 1 – 2 hours to complete, before registering for the on-snow portion);
- skiing/riding and teaching scenarios;
- technical discussion regarding how children/young students learn and progress from the Beginner/Novice to Intermediate Zones;
- and an assessment of people, teaching, and technical skills relating to children’s instruction on snow.
Requirements:
- Participant must be Level I Certified in any discipline and a current member.
- Must complete the online CS1 e-Learning course prior to registering for the on-snow course.*
- Must bring the CS1 Teaching Log to Day 1 of the event, or submit electronically to your course conductor.
- Please take a moment to review the CS1 videos under Children Resources on the Eastern Website prior to your clinic to help you be prepared to discuss how you might help the children featured in the videos.
- Must be an active participant in the course.
- Must contribute at the event during any discussions.
- Must receive a passing score from the clinician based on the participant’s demonstrated understanding, teaching, movement analysis and knowledge of teaching children.
- All participants must follow the PSIA-AASI Eastern Event Participant Safety Policy.
This is a multidisciplinary course with the possibility of mixed groups (i.e. alpine, snowboard and telemark participants in the same group). Instructors are encouraged to take the CS1 course once they’ve achieved Level I PSIA-AASI certification.
* The online CS1 e-Learning course is available on the National Digital Learning Website. Once you are logged in, go to My Account, and then My Learning, to see the content you already have access to. If you haven’t done so already, you will need to complete the purchase process to access the online CS1 e-Learning course. Please be sure to complete all steps. Some parts of the course will specifically reference information in in the Children’s Instruction Manual and the Teaching Children Snowsports Manual.
The CS1 e-Learning course is worth 1 CEU and has a cost of $20.
Note: Current Level II or III members in good standing are not required to have their CS1 credential prior to taking the CS2 course. However, it is strongly recommended that members complete the online CS1 e-Learning course to help determine if they should take the Children’s Specialist 1 on-snow course. Unless you are an experienced children’s instructor, taking the CS2 course without the CS1 credential can be a very difficult task.
For more information about the Children’s Specialist Standards, Performance Guide, and Assessment Forms, take a look at the PSIA-AASI Certification Resources or use the links below.
Resources:
CS2 Information
Click here for: CS1 & CS2 – Who – What – When – Where – Why – How… And Reminders
Children’s Specialist 2 (CS2) will continue building on the instructor’s knowledge and skills from the Children’s Specialist 1. The Children’s Specialist 1 (CS1) course is a suggested prerequisite for the Children Specialist 2 (CS2) course.* The course focuses on the specifics of child development for young learners as they progress through the Beginner/Novice to Advanced Zones. Participants will integrate their technical understanding of the CAP model with movement analysis and teaching activities for children in the Intermediate and Advanced Zones.
This is a multidisciplinary course with the possibility of mixed groups (i.e. alpine, snowboard and telemark participants in the same group).
Requirements:
- Participant must be Level II or Level III Certified.
- Must complete the CS2 Quiz prior to registering for the on-snow course.**
- Participant must score 80% or higher on online quiz.
- Must be an active participant in course.
- Must submit completed CS2 Workbook at event.
- Please review the CS2 videos on the Eastern Website prior to attending the course to be prepared for the teaching segments of the event.
- Must contribute at the event during roundtable evaluation of CS2 Workbook.
- Must attain a passing score from the clinician based on the participant’s demonstrated understanding, teaching, movement analysis and knowledge of teaching children, and individuals.
- All participants must follow the PSIA-AASI Eastern Event Participant Safety Policy.
*Current Level II or III members in good standing are not required to have their CS1 credential prior to taking the CS2 course. However, it is strongly recommended that members complete the CS1 e-Learning course to help determine if they should take the Children’s Specialist 1 on-snow course first. Unless you are an experienced children’s instructor, taking the CS2 course without the CS1 credential is a very difficult task.
** The CS2 Workbook & Quiz can be found on the National Digital Learning Website. Once you are logged in, go to My Account, and then My Learning, to see the content you already have access to. If you haven’t done so already, you will need to complete a “purchase” process to access the CS2 Workbook. As you’re working on your workbook, please pay special attention to the instructions on how to save it so that you can print out the workbook to bring it with you to your event. Use the fillable PDF and print it out to hand in to your course conductor; no handwritten submissions please. A completed workbook is required to earn the CS2 credential.
Please complete the workbook as soon as you can as it can take some time. Some questions specifically reference information in the current Children’s Instruction Manual and the Teaching Children Snowsports manual. The CS2 Workbook is free.
Resources:
Children’s Specialist Videos
CS1 Videos
| Skiers | Age | Ability Level | Snowboarders | Age | Ability Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kylie | 3-5 | Beginner | Pedro | 10 | Beginner |
| Jackson & Sam | 9 & 7 | Beginners | Michael | 7 | Beginner |
| Lexi | 9 | Beginner | Casey | 10 | Beginner |
| Sally | 11 | Beginner | Melissa | 9 | Beginner |
| Samantha | 7 | Beginner | Jimmy | 6 | Beginner |
| Beginner Group/Julia | Group | Beginners | Frankie | 5 | Beginner |
| Allison | 3-5 | Beginner | Morgan | 5 | Beginner |
| Chrissy | 6 | Beginner | Kavin | 6 | Beginner |
| Edith | 6 | Beginner | Clementine | 3 | Beginner |
| Kiddo & Dad | 3 | Beginner | |||
| After School Ski Class | 6-8 | Beginners | |||
| Jackson, Season #2 | 10 | Beginners | |||
| Sam, Season #2 | 8 | Beginners |
CS2 Videos
| Skiers | Age | Ability Level | Snowboarders | Age | Ability Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violet | 9 | Advanced | Seamus | 7 | Intermediate |
| Chrissy & Elizabeth | 6 | Mixed | Noah | 9-10 | Intermediate |
| Three Girls Skiing | 9 | Advanced | |||
| Will | 11 | Advanced | |||
| Mackenzie | 15 | Strong Intermediate | |||
| Timothy | 10 | Advanced | |||
| Heather & Keagan: Bumps | 11 & 13 | Mixed | |||
| U12 Boys | 10 & 8 | Advanced | |||
| Emily | 15 | Advanced | |||
| Heather & Keagan: Park | 11 & 13 | Mixed |
Kids’ Kube
You can find Kids’ Kube in the Apple App, Google Play & Windows Phone stores!
Kids’ Kube is an app that will help guide the way to providing an effective activity or game, specifically geared toward your students and their developmental stage. This is a paid app which can be another resource with your Children’s teaching journey.
Click here for more INFORMATION.
Eastern ACE Team
The ACE (Advanced Children’s Educators) staff is a highly trained and very experienced group of snowsports educators specializing in Children’s snowsports education. The ACE Team is responsible for delivering the Children’s focused events throughout the season. In addition to delivering these events, the ACE Team plays a key role in working with the entire education staff regarding Children’s snowsports education.
ACE Dev Team Candidates
To be eligible for the PSIA-AASI Eastern ACE Team, you must be:
- A current member of PSIA-AASI Eastern Region
- Level III Certified
- Actively teaching skiing or snowboarding for an accredited Snowsports School
Tryouts
Competitive, intensive skiing, teaching, people skills assessment and in-depth knowledge of teaching snowsports to children.
Successful Candidates
ACE Dev Team members:
- Serve a term of up to four years.
- Must complete a series of recommended understudies, during which the ACE Dev Team member will lead groups for a period of time while under the supervision of the ACE Team Examiner/Clinician.
- Must attend at least two days of annual education staff training.
- Fulfill requirements of ACE Team Coach.
ACE Team tryouts are scheduled for March 18-19 at Sugarbush, VT.
Application Requirements for the Development Team Tryout:
To be accepted to the tryout for the Development Team you must register for the tryout and submit the following before February 28, 2024 at 11:30pm.
- A professional resume not to exceed two pages. Please identify your professional high points (e.g., presentations, authored materials, relevant activities outside of teaching, foreign language competencies, special credentials, etc.) Document should be in docx, jpeg or pdf format.
- A cover letter describing why you are trying out for the team, your strengths, what specific skills can bring to the team and the organization, or any other information you feel would be relevant. Please do not exceed two pages. Document should be in docx, jpeg or pdf format.
- A letter of recommendation from your snowsports school director or manager. In the event you hold that role at your school, please provide a letter of recommendation from your immediate supervisor or manager.
- Contact details for a second professional reference
- Contact details for a third reference, professional or personal
Please use this form to submit the required documents prior to February 28, 2024.
Thank you in advance.
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