PSIA-AASI

I am Alpine Level 1 and made the switch to Adaptive in 08. Because our program runs only on weekends, our season is short, and my work days on snow are often totally used for lessons, I am wondering how I am ever going to earn certification. I am a believer in the cert process as I feel it really helps us to push to be the best we can be.  In Adaptive, there is so much to know!!  How for instance can I feel I am ready for a exam for Adaptive Blind/DD when I have had only a few experiences with blind students?  I have had a ton with DD tho (and am a special ed teacher).  Any advice out there?

I just passed the Blind/DD Level 1. It was actually a fun experience. The examiner was as helpful as she was judgmental. I have been doing Adaptive for 2 seasons (weekends). I was lucky that there were a few people that really helped me prepare. If you are Alpine level 1 you will be all set with the skiing. Focus on guiding, meds (but don’t worry too much about that at level 1 - even doctors have to look up a lot of those because they change so much), teaching techniques, etc. The written is a group, open book. I got 100 on that. Most people don’t have much experience actually guiding blind students except in clinics (where they aren’t really blind). If you have guided in clinics (you should do that first) and done a lot of work with DD (in addition to already being level 1 alpine certified) you should definitely go for it. You shouldn’t have a problem. Hope this helps.

Thanks Michael.  I was wondering how many blind students I would need before going for it.  It is tops on the list for next season.  Also, more work on my Alpine II as I KNOW that it will help me with my Adaptive students too, especially because it is forcing me to develop more movement analysis skills.  But ya know, as I become more and more adaptive minded it is hard to stay interested in Alpine way of looking at ski techniques.  Ya know?  I am going to start another post about that.  cya.

Congratulations Michael. Terri, don’t be afraid of cert if you haven’t taught much. I’m halfway through L2 Adaptive. I got L1 on Bi-ski in 2004 and have taught a ton of Bi-ski and cog lessons. I took 3T and 4T and passed L2 having never taught a lesson. I will go to cog/VI next month having never taught a VI lesson. I found its more in the knowledge and presentation than the real experience. Teaching is teaching, just remember, “we’re adaptive”.

Wow David.  Good work!  You and Michael have encouraged me for sure.

Follow up on my post-  I passed!  Thanks for the advice, it was spot-on.