Education Task Force Highlight: Katie Zinn

The Education Task Force Highlight Series spotlights education leaders working to create new Certification Standards, education resources, and communication strategies that will benefit all members.

In this highlight, we sit down with Adaptive Task Force member Katie Zinn.

What task force are you on?

The Adaptive Task Force.

What’s your current snowsports job title?

Adaptive and Alpine Instructor, Adaptive Trainer and Examiner.

What is your current role on the task force?

I’m working on the adaptive standards, learning outcomes, and the alignment process.

What are the task force’s main goals and how are you working to accomplish them?

Our main goal is to create the Adaptive Certification Standards. We are working diligently to map out an assessment system that provides consistency and transparency for all PSIA-AASI members who are interested in learning more about adaptive snowsports and furthering their education or certification level.

How will this benefit members?

Members across the country will have access to a consistent system that allows them to best demonstrate their skills, including people, teaching, and technical skills. We hope that it will provide an avenue for all instructors to further their adaptive education and knowledge in individualized ways. The goal is to create a system that allows for those who want to pursue higher levels of certification or those who want to just continue to grow and develop within areas of interest.

Why is it important to you to work for the benefit of other members?

This organization has provided me an avenue to expand my knowledge in a profession that I never even knew was an option. The new standards will use consist language to ensure topics are communicated in a clear and concise way while also explaining the “why.” I’ve had so many mentors in the industry, and now it is an honor to share their knowledge with the membership. It is important to me to pay forward the knowledge they passed on to me, and the experiences we have all had together.

What’s the fun factor?

I think my favorite part was being locked in a hotel for three days with the Adaptive Task Force. We had a blast sharing stories from the past and throwing all sorts of different ideas on the wall and seeing what stuck. The three days of staring at the screen wasn’t the best, but spending time with movers and shakers in the industry was truly an honor.

Best part of being an instructor?

Playing a small part in people accomplishing big things.