Certification Secrets: Eastern Region Examiner Mark Aiken Says Advanced Training Is ‘Your Opportunity!’
In this sixth installment of the “Certification Secrets” series, Mark Aiken, co-author of the Children’s Alpine Field Guide, Eastern Region examiner, ACE (ski ) team member, and instructor and staff trainer at Vermont’s Stowe Mountain, shares his insight on why advanced training is every instructor’s in-house opportunity.
Q: Why would you recommend to other professional instructors that they aspire to gain advanced certification or specialist credentials?
A: I feel that taking part in the training opportunities available in most ski and ride schools is a hidden perk in this profession. Your skiing and riding can improve so much. If you don’t take advantage of these opportunities, you’re really not maximizing your experience as an instructor. And, since you’re going to train, you might as well go for certification. Many schools reimburse – or pay up front – for you to do so and pretty much all give you a raise as you advance in certification levels.
Q: How would you set up a strategy for members to achieve advanced certification or specialist credentials this season?
A: There are so many resources. Read the manuals, train with a friend, or attend your resort’s training clinics. There are also E-Learning courses, some of which are free.
Q: What are some of the key resources – both personal and professional – you would recommend?
A: For certification levels, I recommend training with your resort’s staff trainers. For Children’s Specialist, read Teaching Children Snowsports and watch videos of kids skiing and riding.
Q: What are some of the key takeaways from your own certification story – both good and bad – and what did you learn from them?
A: I think I was underprepared for my Levels I, II, and III. I passed them all on the first try, but I was lucky. I recommend reading the manuals, taking the free e-learning courses, and – if you’re able to slog through them – familiarizing yourself with the Performance Guides. Also, support the people you’re trying out with. It never hurts your chances to try to raise others up. Finally, don’t let others in your group psyche you out.
Q: How do you build on your experiences if you don’t first achieve advanced certification or specialist credential?
A: I think that certifications and accreditations are great achievements. On the other hand, I also know that the pin means, on a given day, that you convinced an examiner or two that you met the standard. If you do not succeed, don’t despair. You may be successful on another day. Look at your region’s educational staff. Some of the most amazing members of that group failed certification exams at some point. I’m amazed at the number of talented people who had a setback, a bad day, or just flat out failed an exam. Don’t take it personally, and don’t get discouraged. Try again.
Q: How do you build on your successes?
A: Take pride in your achievement, but also keep in mind that a pin is not the end-all. Keep pushing yourself to be better, to learn, and to improve. Earning a pin is cool. Continuing to push yourself after earning a pin – that’s inspiring.
Q: What’s the one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started on this journey?
A: I didn’t realize how much there is to know. I wish I had started down the path to certification sooner. Part of the challenge for me was that I was broke, and I needed to work every possible minute. I wish I strove to find a better balance so that I would have had more opportunities to train and get better.
Q: Any funny stories, great books, or inspirational movies you would like to pass along?
A: Story: In the teaching segment of my Level III exam, I referenced a progression that was dated. After passing me, the examiner pulled me aside to tell me not to use that progression anymore because it was technically inaccurate. “Why did you pass me?” I asked. “Because,” he said, “my segment – though not quite technically valid – had been so funny that he almost peed his pants from laughing so hard.” Moral: try to have fun at your exams!
Book: Inner Skiing by Timothy Gallwey (the author of The Inner Game of Tennis).
Movie: I always loved the introductory skiing scene to the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me.
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Read the first five “Certification Secrets” Q&As: Mount Snow Ski Instructor Christine Holden, PSIA Alpine Team member Joshua Fogg; Mount Snow Ski & Ride School Senior Manager Maureen Drummey; 2021 Education Excellence Award Recipient Stacey Gerrish; and PSIA-AASI Eastern Examiner Bonnie Kolber.
