Single Pitch Instructor | 2009

Becoming a SPI Program Instructor and Director

You may apply to the SPI Program DC to become a SPI Program Instructor Pool Member if you are:

A current AMGA Member.
A current AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor, Rock Instructor or Rock Guide. We are looking for candidates that received exceptional results on their AMGA Examination.
Have a Logbook/Carnet showing an absolute minimum of 200 days of work experience specifically in the single pitch environment instructing single pitch climbing. Candidates that have a resume that clearly shows they have way in excess of the minimum 200 days do not need to submit a daily logbook/carnet.
Have a resume that reflects you have an extensive teaching and instructing background. Candidates must show they have many years experience delivering related curriculum. Candidates that have worked for organizations such as: Outward Bound, NOLS, or other outdoor experiential education organizations, Universities, Colleges or Schools as faculty as adjunct faculty or hold a Diploma or Degree in experiential education, wilderness leadership or similar fields are looked favorably upon.
Have access to a computer and have the ability to write and submit course reports and participant evaluations via email.

Step 1:
Submit a cover letter and resume showing you meet the prerequisites to the SPI Discipline Coordinator in MS Word, Word Perfect or PDF format. If you have your AMGA exam transcripts (showing examiner final evaluations and marks) please send them with your application or we can get them from the office if you don’t have them.

The SPI Discipline Coordinator will review applications and approve or deny the application. Those selected will be invited to participate in the SPI Program Instructor Training Program. Applicants who are not accepted must address their weak areas or supply more information as requested and reapply.

Step 2:
Observe a full three day SPI Course, and if possible a SPI Assessment to familiarize yourself with the program and curriculum, this will prepare you for the two day SPI Program Instructor Training Course. You can observe any SPI Program in the USA, it does not have to be with a SPI Program Trainer.

Step 3:
Participate in the 2 day SPI Program Instructor Training Course and evaluation. The Trainer will recommend the candidate either go on to the next stage and co-teach a SPI Course/Assessment with a Trainer or retake the SPI Program Instructor Training. The Trainer may find the candidate unsuitable at this time to continue with training and recommend the candidates removal from the training program. Candidates that successfully complete the SPI Program Instructor Training become SPI Program Instructors.

Step 4:
Co-teach AT LEAST one full SPI Course and Assessment with a SPI Program Provider Trainer. The candidate will be expected to actively take part in teaching components of the course, taking part in debriefs, evaluation write ups and associated SPI Course/Assessment paperwork. Upon completion of this SPI Course and Assessment the SPI Program Provider Trainer will recommend one of the following:

If the candidate is an AMGA Certified Rock Instructor or Rock Guide the Trainer may recommend to the SPI DC that the candidate become a SPI Program Director.
If the candidate is an AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor the Trainer may recommend to the SPI DC that the candidate become a SPI Program Instructor.
The Trainer may recommend to the SPI DC that the candidate takes part in additional training or co-teach another SPI Program (or more).

The SPI Discipline Coordinator reviews the candidates training reports and recommendations from the Trainer/s and makes final decision for the candidate to become a SPI Program Director.

Expenses and fees associated with acquiring instructor status are the responsibility of the candidate.

There are two levels of Instructor Pool Member:

SPI Program Directors are AMGA Rock Instructors and Rock Guides licensed by the AMGA to deliver the SPI Course and Assessment.
SPI Program Instructors are AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructors Rock Instructors and Rock Guides licensed by the AMGA to deliver the SPI Course and Assessment while working along side a SPI Program Director.

SPI Program Instructors cannot offer a SPI Course or Assessment without a SPI Program Director being present for the duration of the SPI Course or Assessment.

Maintaining SPI Program Director Status

SPI Program Directors are expected to offer at least one SPI Program every 12 months and participate in SPI Program Director Training or observe/co-teach a SPI Program with a SPI Program Trainer every 24 months. These workshops are intended to improve the delivery and national consistency of the SPI program and to share ideas with other course instructors.

To maintain SPI Program Director Status you must:

Teach, Co-teach or observe at least one SPI Program every 12 months.
Attend a one day SPI Program Professional Development Seminar (PDS) every 24 months, or Co-teach a full SPI Course and Assessment with a SPI Program Trainer.
Actively participate in on-going curriculum program development and feedback with the SPI DC.

SPI Program Directors that fail to upkeep the above requirements become SPI Program Instructors and can continue working in the SPI Program as long as there is a SPI Director present for the duration of any SPI Program the offer or work. If they wish to become a SPI Director again they must do one of the following to regain SPI Director Status:

Attend a one day SPI Program Professional Development Seminar (PDS) or co-teach a full SPI Course and Assessment with a SPI Program Trainer.

Maintaining SPI Program Instructor Status

SPI Program Instructors are encouraged to attend training and ongoing education with the AMGA when ever possible. To maintain SPI Instructor Status you must:

Attend a one day SPI Program Professional Development Seminar (PDS) or co-teach a full SPI Course and Assessment with a SPI Program Director at least once every three years.

SPI Program Instructors that fail to upkeep the above requirements become ‘Inactive’. If they wish to become a SPI Instructors again they must:

Attend a one day SPI Program Professional Development Seminar (PDS) or co-teach a full SPI Course and Assessment with a SPI Program Trainer.

SPI Program Manual Committee

Experienced SPI Instructor Pool Members and Professionals outside of the SPI Instructor Pool are invited on an as needed basis to serve on this committee. The main goal of the committee is to update the AMGA SPI Manual continually and publish the new version January 1st of each year.