Introduction

One of the banes for Trainers is the amount of paperwork necessary to report an ICW.  This effort requires different paperwork as you might expect since we are minting new instructors for the ACA.  Trainers need to maintain notes in some manner during the ICE (Instructor Certification Exam).  In some disciplines, video is used to properly assess paddling form.  These notes are used to provide effective feedback to the instructor candidates via 1:1 counseling and the necessary IC Evaluation form.

It is all too easy to get overwhelmed by this paperwork.  I highly recommend preparing as much of the paperwork prior to the class by pre-filling in names, ACA #, etc. on an certification course report form.  I also prefill in the static fields on the two types of evaluations.  A note pad or digital recording device may be helpful during class.  Most trainers update their forms on a nightly basis while their observations are fresh in their mind and to save time on the last day of class.

Running an ICW or Update Course

• Register your certification class (a copy of your CPR & First Aid certifications is required):
  • Certification Course Registration
  • Certification Course Registration via online form (Preferred)
• Order Instructor Manuals for ICW classes (not needed for Update classes)
  • Instructor Manual - CDROM Version
  • Instructor Manual - Print Version
  • Instructor Manual - PDF Version NOTE: this is a relatively new offering
• Optional - Publicize on the ACA Event Calendar
• Contact your ACA State Director - They may also have a more local calendar of events
• Collect ACA liability waivers (NOTE: Instructors must be adults)
• Run your class
  • Unlikely but if an accident takes place, you will need to complete an accident report form
• Certification Class report form (due within 30 days):
  • NOTES: Make it very clear what level was achieved and any level/s continued, the candidate's ACA numbers are required
  • Certification Course Report
  • Certification Course Report via online form (Strongly recommended as it saves the back office time)
• Instructor Candidate Evaluations (Required)
  • NOTES: This is where you provide written feedback that mirrors your verbal debrief.  Continues must spell out specifuic deficiencies and provide an action plan for remediation.  The lead certified Trainer must sign this document.
• IT Evaluations (Required)
  
  • NOTES: Gather BEFORE the candidates leave, it's nearly impossible to gather later.  I suggest having your assistant instructor hand these out and ensure they are collected.  The Standards Committee psays very close attention to these evaluations.

NOTE: ACA Insured courses require the original signed liability waivers (just like skills & assessment courses). 

Trainers may also provide an update by co-teaching a skills class with a certified instructor.  The skills class report form has an update selection with level.  You must list the update candidate in the course roster.

A great place to start your journey is to look at the Trainer Application form

Let's take a closer look at the requirements:

• ACA Instructor for the past two years.  Make certain you maintain your ACA & SEIC dues.
• Experience: Report your skills and assessment classes.  Ideally, you should report at least 6 classes with 3 at your highest level.  If you teach for a private firm or organization, those can be reported as ACA teaching experience as well.
• Age: Must be at least 21 years old.
• Assist in an ICW with an IT or ITE.  This begins the mentoring process.  Instructors teach skills, Trainers teach skills, teaching technique, and ACA history, policy, and procedures.
• Lead an ICW supervised by an ITE.  Consider this the ICE for trainers.  I strongly recommend taking charge of this class via recruiting, paperwork, instruction, and class logistics.  You need to sign all certification class paperwork and treat the ITE as just an assistant/mentor.  All Trainers/ITEs need to sign all documents.  The method of signature will be determined by the ITE.
• It is recommended you certify in a second related field.  The ACA has many disciplines to choose from.  You can also certify as a life guard, First Aid Trainer, Rock Climbing instructor, etc.
• Three letters of recommendations.  These are very important.  One of these will be your sponsoring ITE.  Try to work with a variety of instructors and trainers in your discipline and learn from their various teaching methods.  In general, it is a good idea to solicit recommendations from certified individuals in your discipline that have watched you in action.
• Develop a solid course outline.  Pay very close attention to the latest ACA Instructor Criteria
• Instructor Candidate Evaluations.  These are really important and are a written record of your feed back to your students. One word of caution though, this packet includes the evaluation form and the continuation form.  Discard the continuation form if not needed.  If the candidate needs some sort of remediation, complete the continuation form objectively listing the deficiencies and fully explain the remediation plan.
• Student evalauation of the Trainers. The IT Evaluation Form is really crucial for the SEIC Standards Committee to get a sense of your abilities. They are also a great tool to use for your own development.  I strongly recommend assigning a helper or student to gather these evaluations at the end of the class to ensure 100% compliance.

Instructor Maintenance Requirements

After working so hard to achieve your certification, it makes sense to maintain it.  The ACA conducts an audit on all Instructors reaching their four year anniversary.  The audit checks for the following:

• Do you have a qualifying Instructor Update?
• Have you reported at least two classes one of which is at your highest level of certification in this discipline?

The SEIC sends out frequent newsletters informing you of any changes like the new first aid requirement several years ago.  I also pull down a copy of the latest ACA Skills Course curriculum and compare against my current prepared materials.  If there are any new topics, I research them to ensure I stay up to date. Here is a summary of the other maintenance activities:

• Maintain annual ACA Membership & SEIC Registration (pay your dues)
• Teach & properly report at least two classes with at least one being at your highest level of certification
• Successfully complete an Instructor Update (the Instructor Update can be completed anytime during your four year tenure)
• Instructors must obtain and maintain appropriate first aid, CPR training
• It's highly advisable to get rescue training and refresh periodically

Instructor Updates

The ACA/SEIC provides a number of choices for Instructor Updates:

• Complete a formal Instructor Update Course
• Co-teach an IDW or ICE with an IT or ITE
• Co-teach a skills course, at your highest level of certification, with an IT or ITE
• Complete an IDW or ICE in your discipline at your highest certification level
• Complete a qualifying Endorsement (must have SEI pre-approval as only certain endorsements qualify as an Update)

Note: Updates should include a review of ACA policies.