Kagan Trainer Certification

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School Trainer Certification

Process

The Kagan Trainer Certification program has been restructured to support the elements of effective staff development and school improvement. The real goal of staff development is to create systemic change that positively impacts student learning over time. It is essential that any new innovation be part of a structured school improvement process that includes training, monitoring, support, and resources. The primary focus of the trainer certification program will be to train school trainers in institutions where cooperative learning has been chosen as a school-wide initiative with administrator and teacher buy-in.

Careful consideration has been given to the research on staff development. The three-part process identified below has embedded components that enhance transfer from the workshop to implementation in the classroom. This 3-part process must be completed within four years. Although this process is rigorous, the components are essential to successful long-term implementation of Cooperative Learning: Kagan Structures for Active Engagement.

School Trainer Certification Components

(Please see full description below.)

School Level Training
  • Whole staff completes at least one day of cooperative learning with a Kagan National Trainer
  • Building administration attends training with staff and commits to support and monitor the initiative
School Improvement
Trainer
  • Certification candidates, teachers selected for the certification process, must complete a week-long institute by a Kagan National Certified Trainer.
  • Certification candidates must use the Kagan Structures and content from the training with students in a classroom for a minimum of one year.
  • Certification candidates must submit a School Trainer Application (see detailed information below).
  • If accepted, School Trainer must attend school trainer workshop within 3 years of initial training.
  • School Trainer agrees to abide by guidelines established by Kagan which includes trainer expectations and copyright guidelines.
  • School Trainer recertifies every three years to maintain school trainer certification.
 

Extended Description

School Level Training

  • Staff completes at least one day of cooperative learning with a Kagan National Trainer. More days are strongly recommended with a national trainer. See Workshops.
    Rationale: Staff must be exposed to Kagan Structures for Active Engagement before they can fully support the initiative.
  • School principal and other administrators attend training with staff and commit to support and monitor the initiative.
    Rationale: No successful implementation can occur and sustain itself without administrative support.

School Improvement

  • Kagan Structures for Active Engagement is identified as a strategy in the building school improvement plan. All staff agree to implement the initiative. The school improvement plan must include a training schedule, follow-up support, resources, and timeline. See coaching and SAM Clubs for additional ideas for support.
    Rationale: It is essential to involve staff in collaborative decision making regarding school-wide initiatives.
  • The building's school improvement plan has been submitted to the Director of School Improvement Programs. This plan includes the process for selecting high-quality school trainers. See checklist for important trainer criteria.
    Rationale: A school training program must be part of a larger school improvement process. The careful selection of high-quality trainers will make or break a program. Certification is not guaranteed until the completion of the school trainer process so it is essential that careful consideration be given in the initial stages.

Trainer Selection/Certification

  • Certification candidates, teachers selected for the certification process, must complete a week-long institute by a Kagan National Certified Trainer. (This can occur earlier in the process.)
    Rationale: In order to become a trainer, teachers must participate in the actual training they will be conducting at a later date.
  • Certification candidate must use the Kagan Structures and content from the training with students in a classroom for a minimum of one year.
    Rationale: A trainer must be able to stand in front of a group and speak from experience. Participants often have questions that can only be answered by someone who has used the structures with students.
  • Certification candidate must submit a School Trainer Application:
    • Documentation of Building Level Training and Building School Improvement as noted above.
    • A one-page description of your use of at least 5 Kagan Structures. Please include a description of content, grade level and student work samples when appropriate.
    • A one-page sample lesson plan reflecting your use of structures.
    • The teacher is observed teaching structures. Two video clips on DVD or flash drive: teaching a structure to students (10-15 minutes), and teaching a DIFFERENT structure to adults (10-15 minutes)
    • One page reflection of video. Include perceptions, insights and ideas for improvement if appropriate.
    Rationale: Kagan must ensure that all school trainers can work successfully with students as well as adults. See trainer characteristics checklist for more information.
  • If accepted, school trainer must attend school trainer workshop within 3 years of initial training. Training will be held once a year at the Kagan training center in San Clemente, CA. Kagan reserves the right to cancel trainings that do not meet minimum enrollment requirements. This year’s training is scheduled for June 18-22, 2012.  Cost is $849.
    Rationale: Kagan regularly updates the content of workshops. Therefore, it is important that initial training is current to stay abreast of revisions.
  • School Trainer agrees to abide by guidelines established by Kagan which includes trainer expectations and copyright guidelines.
    Rationale: Kagan is committed to protecting the quality and integrity of the Kagan model.
  • School Trainer recertifies every three years to maintain school trainer certification.
    Rationale: Materials, content and resources used in training are continually improving and updating.

Applications are due by March 1, 2012.

Applications and Inquiries should be sent to:

Dr. Jacqueline Minor
Director of School Improvement Programs
643 S. Conroy
Republic, MO 65738
417-732-1770 (Work)
417-732-2073 (Fax)
316-214-3410 (Cell)
jackie@kaganonline.com