Instructor Training Call for Applicants

Applications are now being accepted for participation in the Safe Routes to School National Course Instructor Training, to be held October 19 – 22, 2009 in Phoenix, AZ. Up to 12 individuals may be selected.

Since 2004, the Safe Routes to School National Course has been taught throughout the country by instructors trained by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center and the National Center for Safe Routes to School. This round of instructor training seeks to help meet demand and enable more communities to receive the Course. Training participants receive all Course materials including PowerPoint presentations, detailed speaker notes, handouts and planning resources. In the past, training participants have proceeded to teach the Course through a combination of their own marketing efforts, as part of their jobs and through a local or State SRTS Program.

About the Safe Routes to School National Course

The SRTS National Course provides a comprehensive overview of the need for SRTS and the strategies available to both improve conditions for walking and bicycling to school and to encourage more participation in these activities. This one-day course was developed through a partnership of funding from the Federal Highway Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Taught by two instructors who possess complementary expertise in infrastructure and non-infrastructure activities, the course aims to assist a broad audience of participants in initiating steps for a local, or state-level approach to SRTS program development. See http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/training/national_course for more information.

About the Instructor Training

The instructor training experience is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the SRTS National Course and practical experience in course delivery. It includes discussion on the background and philosophy of the Course, observation of the Course being taught by master instructors, a thorough review of the key contents and delivery methods for course modules, and preparation and delivery of the course to a real-life community audience. The training will begin Monday evening and end Thursday evening. For an overview of the agenda, email Jim Elliott at jelliott@tooledesign.com. Special thanks to the local hosts: Arizona Department of Transportation and the City of Phoenix.

Note: The training agenda is intense. In order to maximize productivity and minimize disruptions, training participants are expected to attend all sessions of the training and stay at the training hotel.

Registration Fee: $2500, which includes expenses for training delivery, materials and travel between the hotel and off-site locations. No profit is earned from the registration fee. For those who would otherwise be unable to attend, the National Center for Safe Routes to School has designated funds for up to five $1000 subsidies (registration cost of $1500) and up to two registrations for no charge. See the application for more information on qualifications.

Other Expenses: In addition to the registration fee, training participants are responsible for lodging expenses at the training hotel ($122/night plus tax) and all other necessary travel expenses. Lunch will be provided on October 20th and October 22nd, all other meals are the participant's responsibility.

Training Site: The training will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel Phoenix — Airport. A block of rooms is reserved and participants are expected to stay at this hotel.

Application Process

Eligibility Requirements: Training participants possess

  • Experience in planning or transportation engineering (for infrastructure instructor) or interest/experience in education, public health or bicycle/pedestrian advocacy (for non-infrastructure instructor)
  • Experience in conducting presentations or training
  • The ability to use PowerPoint
  • Plans for identifying a co-instructor for future delivery of the National Course in their area (as previously mentioned, course delivery requires two trained instructors). See the application for more information.

Go to http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/training/instructor_apps/application_submit_form.cfm to complete the online application. Applications will be accepted until July 27th and all applicants will be notified of selection status by August 3rd. Participants are expected to confirm their attendance by August 14, 2009.