I've found that many of the USFSA's Basic Skills / Learn to Teach Instructor Workshops aren't publicized widely.

Let's post the ones we know about, for those instructors who are interested in attending.

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12/5/2007 - Raleigh, NC - U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Instructor Workshop

Contact: Jill Hare 719-228-3436 jhare@usfigureskating.org

PSA RATINGS DEADLINE: 11/7/2007 (PSA Basic Accr exam)

LINK: http://www.usfigureskating.org/conte...20Workshop.pdf

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12/6/2007 - Charleston, SC - U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Instructor Workshop

Contact: Jill Hare 719-228-3436 jhare@usfigureskating.org

PSA RATINGS DEADLINE: 11/8/2007 (written exams)

LINK: http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/Charleston%20Instructor%20Workshop.pdf

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4/5/2008 - Scottsdale, AZ - U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Instructor Workshop

Jill Hare 719-228-3436 jhare@usfigureskating.org

Ratings Deadline: March 10, 2008 (written exams)

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This workshop was outstanding for me, and much more on target for the levels of skaters I work with regularly. The PSA workshops I've attended in the past have been geared towards IJS, fixing cheated double jumps, and skidding axels. Since I don't coach at those levels, the information is nice to know, but not useful on a day-to-day basis.

The teaching tips and standards were very clearly defined and the seminar coach added a lot of "building blocks" to the Basic Skills exercises. I would have liked the on-ice portion to have been a bit longer, but the rink wasn't available, so we finished the curriculum discussion/demo off-ice.

(For example, using backward stroking to teach the foundation of the Pre-Prel BI edges.)

They did cover the "Test Track Competitions" where skaters can compete within test limitations or compete within the "Competitive Track" events. No one said the "S" word. (Sandbagging) lol

All in all, a rewarding event. Six PSA educational credits and tons of information.

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We're having a USFS workshop on Basic Skills both from the perspective of teaching and helping clubs improve their Basic Skills Learn to Skate Programs
in Ames on February 2. We are still looking for a place to hold it!

j

When you have more information about this could you PM me (or email me if you still have the address?) if the price is right, this sounds like a fantastic opportunity.

You should also contact our rink- as I'm sure the director would want to spread the word amongst our instructors. We aren't really close to ames, so I don't know if that was part of the club's plan.

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-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

Ditto! I'd come out from the Quad Cities if I don't have to work. I was just thinking as I read this thread that it would be cool to hold one in Davenport. Will PSA credit be available?

Our workshop in NC was worth 6 PSA educational credits, and the written PSA ratings exams were given over lunch.

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It's a USFS workshop but we are working on what it would take to get PSA credit so we can get more people to come. We are planning to send out postcards to every club within 200 miles. In fact, that should have been done by now but now that I think abot it --it was one of those "we should...blah blah blah..." but nobody was actually assigned to the task. I will get on that.

j

I was also at the Basic Skills workshop in NC! Wish I had known you were going to be there I would have introduced myself. I found it very informative, and liked all of the tips to get some of the "trickier" elements.

I was the bigmouth in the back. (What else is new?)

I think these workshops are as good as the ISI Instructors Seminars. Are there any of those "down here" or is this all USFSA country?

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3/9/2008 - St. Louis, Missouri - U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Instructor Workshop

Contact: Jill Hare 719-228-3436 jhare@usfigureskating.org

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5/12-14/2008 - NARCE - Chicago, Illinois - U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Instructor Workshop

Contact: Jill Hare 719-228-3436 jhare@usfigureskating.org

PSA Exams Available - see www.skatepsa.com

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Upcoming Basic Skills Workshops (as of June 26, 2008)

8/16 - Rochester, MN LINK
8/22 - Highland Park, IL LINK
9/6 - Atlanta, GA (No link yet)
9/20 - Eagle, CO (No link yet)

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There's a new Basic Skills DVD available for $15. Every program will receive one free copy; if you need your own/more, follow this link: http://www.usfigureskating.org/Programs.asp?id=305

ETA: There's a note in the lastest Basic Skills newsletter that says they're restructuring their portion of the USFSA website soon.

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