Description:
This one-day course is designed for trainers, supervisors, and experienced instructors who are responsible for coaching staff and volunteers within adaptive programs—and for those looking to continue their own development beyond Level I. Participants will apply the Learning Connection Model to support instructor growth through people, teaching, and technical skills, while also reflecting on how to use the model for self-coaching and long-term professional progress. The course provides the most up-to-date information on adaptive certification expectations, assessment activities, teaching methodologies, and best practices being used at leading programs across the country. Participants will explore strategies for building training plans, supporting instructors through challenges, maintaining motivation, and shifting from a single-lesson mindset to season-long development goals. The course also encourages participants to explore how the Learning Connection Model can be applied in the intermediate and novice zones. This course is open to all adaptive (downhill) disciplines- alpine, snowboard, adaptive, and telemark.
We recommend Level I Adaptive Certification (Alpine or Snowboard), or equivalent experience teaching adaptive students to attend this event.
Learning Experiences:
Specific activities will vary depending on group needs and conditions, and typically include:
- Review and discussion of updated certification materials and assessment forms.
- On-snow coaching focused on improving both others’ and your own teaching and sliding skills.
- Peer mentoring simulations using feedback aligned with performance guides
- Roundtable sharing of strategies, clinic designs, and staff development tools from different programs
- Self-assessment exercises and reflection on next steps for certification or personal development.
- Practice building individualized and program-wide training plans
- Exploration of how to apply the Learning Connection Model in both intermediate and novice zone lessons.
- Discussion of strategies to stay motivated, support resilience after unsuccessful assessments, and foster long-term growth beyond the lesson.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, successful participants will be able to:
- Apply the Learning Connection Model to guide the growth of instructors, volunteers, and themselves.
- Identify and explain current national standards, performance contributors, and assessment expectations.
- Create training plans that support season-long development and progression toward credentials.
- Use coaching strategies to help instructors overcome learning plateaus or unsuccessful assessments.
- Describe how the Learning Connection Model can enhance instruction in both the intermediate zone and the novice zone
- Reflect on personal coaching, motivation, and leadership strategies to build a more professional
and inclusive program culture
Prerequisite(s):
Registered Members
Recommended Learning Resources:
- PSIA-AASI Discipline Technical Manuals
- PSIA-AASI Teaching Skills Performance Guide
- PSIA-AASI Discipline Technical Manuals
Equipment/Materials Needed:
Recommended, but not required:
- Adaptive gear samples (outriggers, sit-skis, etc.)
- Clinic leader notes or facilitator toolkit
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