ACA Resources for Instructor Trainers / Instructor Trainer Educators

Individuals holding certification as an ACA Instructor Trainer (IT) and/or Instructor Trainer Educator (ITE) are considered not only ot be some of the best paddlers, but are also excellent educators with the passion, desire and knowledge to mentor individuals to learn how to share the safe paddlesport message with the general public.

• How to become an IT / ITE
• IT / ITE Contact List - listed by State and by Discipline (a/o 12/2009)

• Sample ICW Powerpoint Presentation (a/o 5-8-09)
• Sample Instructor Candidate Evaluation Form ( Word / PDF )
• Instructor Candidate Continuation Form ( Word / PDF )

ACA Certification Course Information

ACA IT / ITE Certification Process

Instructor Trainers

ITs conduct Instructor Development Workshops, Instructor Certification Examinations and Instructor Updates, evaluating Instructor Candidates or Instructors to ensure that they meet the criteria for certification. Instructor Trainers are expected to represent and promote the ACA in a positive manner. Trainers of a given discipline are certified to teach candidates only in that discipline, and only to the level certified, and are subject to all conditions developed by specific disciplines.

Example: Canoeing and Freestyle ITs must certify in bow, stern and solo.

The Instructor Trainer of record for a certification workshop is responsible to report to the ACA National Office the date of birth, current mailing address and name of each Instructor Candidate as it appears on any government issued photo ID.

Selection Criteria: Instructor Trainer Candidates shall:

• be at least 21 years of age
• maintain ACA and SEIC membership 
• be an active ACA Instructor for at least two years*
• Instructor Trainer paddling and teaching skills and knowledge shall be of advanced level.

Certification Process:

• IT candidates must participate in an ITDW or co-teach an IDW/ICE (An ITDW is required for new disciplines)
• Verify with the ACA National Office their eligibility as an IT Candidate prior to leading an IDW/ICE under the direct supervision of an ITE.
• Candidates shall then satisfactorily lead an IDW and ICE with assistance and direct oversight by an ITE. The candidate shall prepare and submit the IDW/ICE outline, ICW Report Form, and Course/Trainer Evaluations to the National Office.
• When the Candidate has satisfactorily lead an IDW/ICE, the IT Educator shall submit an official IT Recommendation Form within 30 days of the ICE completion. Two additional ACA Instructor or Trainer nominating signatures are required.
• The candidate’s qualifications will be reviewed by the National Office, with final certification approved by the SEIC Standards Committee.

(the two-year Instructor experience requirement may be waived at the discretion of the SEIC Standards Committee, in exceptional situations. Such exceptions shall be requested in writing, with supporting course evaluations and references prior to completion of third bullet above)

Instructor Trainer Educators

ITEs are Instructor Trainers designated by the SEIC to prepare and evaluate Instructors who are Instructor Trainer Candidates. Only ITEs may teach IT Development Workshops and Updates, and only in their disciplines of ITE certification. An ITE should highly exemplify an ACA Instructor in paddling and teaching skills and as an ACA representative and good will ambassador. ITEs shall confirm Eligibility of IT Candidate with the ACA National Office prior to supervising the final IDW/ICE.

Selection Criteria: It is expected that Instructor Trainer Educator paddling and teaching skills and knowledge shall be of significantly advanced level. Additionally:

• Serve as an Instructor Trainer in good standing in each discipline of application for at least two years prior to application and have conducted and reported three IDW/ICEs or Updates, or submit written rationale for exception
• Have attended any ACA instructional clinic conducted by an IT in another discipline or Division or submit written rationale for exception
• Applicants are encouraged to certify in a second ACA discipline or other recreational field.

Certification Process:

• An ITE candidate must apply to the SEIC Standards Committee by submitting the ITE Application Form with resume and three letters of recommendation, one from an ITE within the same discipline at at the level of desired certification.
• Candidates shall submit videotape modeling of paddling and teaching skills, or arrange an in-person review, as determined by discipline committees.
• An ITE Candidate must also submit IDW/ICE course outlines and evaluations.
• The decision to designate applicants as an ITE is at the discretion of the Standards Committee and shall be approved by the SEIC with applications reviewed periodically. 
• The ITE endorsement is valid for four years, after which, the ITE must reapply, the SEIC determining if the ITE has fulfilled the duties as defined.