Staff Report 2: Certification

Certification Update

Emily Jacobs, Certification & Training Program Manager
May 2013

It seems that most of April was full of workshops and training, with two certification courses, a board meeting and webinar all on the docket.  

The beginning of the month, I traveled to Oakland for the spring NAI Board meeting.  While there I reported on the certification program to the board, as well as attended a day of the Region 9 Spring Workshop.  One of the main goals of attending the workshop was the chance to scope out a potential trainer for the CIP course.  Though still very much in the infancy, it was great to see Dave Bucy and his program at work.  I flew directly from the board meeting to a Certified Interpretive Host Trainer course in Browns Summit, NC.  This course, hosted by North Carolina State Parks was a delight and as always, new suggestions and ideas resulted from talented interpreters getting together.

Midmonth, NAI partnered with the NPS Climate Change Response Program to host a webinar titled, “Climate Change 101: FAQs”.  Though conducted literally in the middle of a snowstorm, the webinar was well received and brought a number of front line interpreters into the discussion.

Towards the end of the month, I went to Grapevine, TX for a Certified Interpretive Guide Trainer weeklong workshop.  This session, attended by folks largely from region 6 was also a success and even included a glockenspiel!

Finally I worked on reviewing and continuing to solicit presenters for the Reno 2013 National Workshop.  As we get closer, I look forward to seeing everyone’s hard work come into fruition.