Professional Development Plan: National Team Member Ann Schorling

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.

PSIA Alpine Team Member Ann Schorling

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: We came to Interski with clear messages and demonstrated an exceptional ability to deliver content. When people attended any of our sessions, they not only learned what we believe, but also learned to apply what we value. We lived our teaching and people skills philosophies, and we backed up our technical beliefs with strong performances on the snow.

When we travel and coach, instructors rightfully have high expectations of us. I believe that we created a safe environment within the team to be vulnerable and imperfect so that we can continue to learn together and be our best selves on the road.

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: I am excited to be more deliberate about my teaching skills this season. In particular, when coaching larger groups, I want to work on attending to everyone’s goals and targeting my coaching. I also want to be more intentional about choosing external cues for coaching.

I want to improve my ability to train teaching skills. My tendency in running training is to rest on technical content. I will deliver more teaching content and hold myself to a higher standard to meet learning outcomes.

Q: What other professional goals do you have in terms of teaching and skiing?
A: Dolphin turns. I have never done one and I want to figure them out.

I will do the work of my Interski 2023 Keynote this coming winter at my home school — ensuring that we can track staffing patterns, manage guest requests, and hold our school accountable for improving equity.

As a new mom and team member, I want to navigate enough daycare options on the road so that I can travel with my kiddo and so that other moms and future moms considering trying out for the National Team can see one way to do it.

More fundamentally, this winter my goals are to try to keep myself and my kiddo fed, do my job, ski a lot, and stay strong.

Q: How can you work with and learn from other instructors on this journey?
A: So many parents have navigated this career with kids already and there have already been two moms on the National Team (Jill Matlock and Mermer Blakeslee). There is a wealth of knowledge out there and an incredible support network. The most difficult part so far has been asking for help, but so many people have willingly given it.

Q: How can your professional development plan help other instructors work to achieve their goals?
A: Well, of the dozen or so women who were endorsed to go to tryouts in 2021, at least four of us now have kids. In the United States, 80 percent of all women over the age of 35 have kids. If I share my journey as a mother and team member, maybe I can show that it’s possible. Hopefully, I can also do a little bit of work to normalize pumping breaks, lactation rooms, daycare stipends, cribs, and the occasional baby in a meeting so there is more groundwork laid for the next mom on the National Team.

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: Being a part of this community means having wonderful people I care about spread out across the country. As part of PSIA-AASI and especially as part of the National Team, I get to have reunions with special people throughout the winter. To share this with other people, I hope that everyone I spend time with feels seen, heard, and valued. I especially hope they feel this when we interact after skiing together.