New Interpretive Coaching Course Held

On December 8th, 16 interpreters from Northeast Region gathered at the Schoodic Education and Research Center in Acadia National Park in Maine to take part in a groundbreaking endeavor – training registered interpretive coaches.   

The NPS interpretive development program is launching a new approach to coaching seasonal interpreters which will provide them with increased opportunities for comprehensive training, coaching and professional development.

In conjunction with the Eppley Institute, the National Park Service has created a number of online courses focusing on interpretive program development.  Completion of these courses may yield two levels of professional achievement – basic (self-study) and advanced certificates (personal coaching).

To receive the basic certificate, an employee may take the online course and the assessment upon completion of the course.  For advanced certificates, the employee taking the course signs up to work with a registered coach through a series of program development activities.  Upon successful completion of the activities, the registered coach is authorized to award an advanced certificate for that course.   As of January, seasonals will no longer be submitting products for peer review certification, but will be able to receive advanced certificates by taking the online courses and signing up to work with a registered coach.

This course was the first of many that will take place across the country. Deb Wade, chief of interpretation at Acadia, hosted the course during a week of astronomical high tides that provided spectacular waves and in keeping with course theme, “A New Wave”. 

The new registered coaches are: Sonya Berger (ACAD), Michael Marion (ACAD), Ardrianna McLane (ACAD), Betty Lyle (ACAD), Kate Petrie (ACAD), Liz Davis (ASIS), Jessica Renehan (BOHA/MA DCR), Eva VanAken (BOHA/MA DCR), Julia Mize (BOST), Liza Stearns (FRLA, JOFI, LONG), Michael Kusch (FOST), Dawn Olson (MAVA), Maria Cole (MIMA), Joe Craig (SARA), Joanne Gangi-Wellman (SPAR), Kimberly Szewczyk (VAFO).

The NER-registered coaching team coordinated and instructed the week-long course. Members are Frank Barrows (NEBE), Lorrie Knies, (SHEN), Kelly Fellner (BOHA), Tess Shatzer (LOWE), and Carol Shively (Mather/Eppley). 

For more information on registered coaches, contact Robert Fudge, chief of interpretation and education for Northeast Region, at (215) 597-7056.