Professional Development Plan: National Team Member Lyndsey Stevens

Congratulations to the 2021-24 PSIA-AASI National Team for all the work they’ve done promoting, supporting, and assisting with the development of PSIA-AASI education materials, programs, and activities at all levels.

As the team enters its final season, team coaches and members reflect on the work they’ve done for the association, their personal accomplishments, and their professional development plans — including how they think those plans can help you reach your goals this season.

AASI Snowboard Team Member Lyndsey Stevens

Q: This team has achieved a lot in a short time — including representing the association at Interski 2023, continued refinement of the Learning Connection, and working toward the target date to align certification processes. What achievements stand out to you?

A: The achievements that stand out to me are those based around solidifying the consistency of the national standards for certification. The members of this team have put in countless hours serving the membership through task force involvement and team training events to find the best practices for our organization. This has resulted in PSIA-AASI creating a consistent standard for certification from coast to coast.

Q: Where do you want to improve this season, especially in regard to the individual people, teaching, and technical skills of the Learning Connection?

A: For my own personal development this season I am working toward becoming a Level II assessor in the Rocky Mountain region. This means I will continue to develop my people skills by practicing use of the SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) model to deliver objective feedback. In the teaching skills arena, I am working to use more creative ways to provide students and trainees with learning experiences. In the technical skills arena, I will continue to try and develop new freestyle tricks, as well as clean up and create more autonomy with older tricks.

Q: What other professional goals do you have in terms of teaching and riding?

A: With teaching goals, I am working on slowing my pace for students. In the past I have been very focused on delivering results. I still believe that this is important, but I want to slow down and focus students on more skill building. Taking the time to create mastery and celebrate those wins, no matter how small, will create a more enjoyable and thorough learning experience for students. My riding goal for this season is to create more autonomy in my freestyle riding by using tactics that will clean up my tricks and make them more consistent.

Q: How can you work with and learn from other instructors on this journey?

A: While leading training clinics, I am practicing to deliver feedback consistently using the SBI model. Also, during clinics I am working to create content that takes the trainees on a journey and provides learning experiences that they can reflect upon. Creating an experience is far more effective than a lecture that simply moves down the hill and stops in a new discussion spot. It’s been fun to be creative and bring content to life through games and challenges.

Q: How can your professional development plan help other instructors work to achieve their goals?

A: My motivation for my professional development plan is based on the success of other instructors. I enjoy supporting fellow instructors and helping them grow. I want to be able to provide instructors with the support they need to be successful and that begins with continuing my own professional development.

Q: What does being a member of the PSIA-AASI community mean to you, and how do you share that sense of belonging with the people you teach, as well as other snow pros?

A: The PSIA-AASI community is a supportive network of people who all come together for their love of snowsports. Our community is full of people who are ready, willing, and qualified to help students, as well as their fellow instructors. When we continue to develop professionally, we are able to provide great lessons to our students. Creating a supportive and inclusive snowsports environment helps us all to share the sport we love with others.