Ratings BRANDON FORSYTH
UPCOMING RATING SITES & PREP COURSE January 8 & 9, 2014 — Boston, MA March 9-12, 2014 — Las Vegas, NV May 19-21, 2014 — Palm Springs, CA
The Ratings Experience by Doug Mattis
I
n May 2013 at the PSA Conference in Chicago, I was happy to achieve my Certified Free Skating and Senior Choreography ratings. As I began to compose this article about my experiences over the past two years taking rating exams, the first two things I wrote on a piece of paper were: #1–The Ratings Prep Course I took was invaluable and #2–The process is reaping unexpected rewards. I started the ratings process because Kris Shakarjian (then ratings chairperson) reached out and asked me to be more involved. We both discussed the possibility that after more than 20 years of teaching, achieving my ratings might not have a large impact on my business or job security. I said 'yes' to Kris because I love a challenge and I believe in the PSA and its mission. My goal (that I've developed in the past year) is to achieve Master Ratings so that I can become part of the ratings process one day. What I'd heard most often from young coaches was that the process was too intimidating. I'd like to eventually help make the ratings experience as inclusive and supportive as it can be! I've already discovered that taking the Prep Course is fantastically effective in removing apprehension in taking a rating exam. During my Prep Course in Las Vegas, Diane Miller and Colleen Mickey worked with all of us attendees to make sure we knew what to expect, we discussed the material at great length, and finished the course far more
In the TRENCHES by SCOTT BROWN
Take A Bow
confident about our ability to convey our skating knowledge in a clear and concise manner. And the course was fun! Lots of laughs to be had for everyone—not the least of which was my class and I laughing as Diane continually reminded me that lifelong verbosity was completely unnecessary in a rating exam. (Translation—I tend to talk too much. Haha! "Surprise!" to no one that knows me!) The other discovery most profound to me is that what Colleen Mickey once told me early on was actually true: I would learn more than I would ever expect while studying...and the unavoidable networking would bring me closer to my skating and PSA family. I've learned from my presenters, colleagues, mentors, examiners—and I daresay, those wonderful people are now also more sure about what I know about skating. This mutual respect and camaraderie is enhancing my professional experience and bringing me closer to hopefully having as positive effect on our PSA family as I can. I hope everyone will consider getting rated, and I invite anyone with questions to reach out to me (or Brandon Forsyth, current ratings chairperson). As tough as the process and the exam can be, the Prep Course will make it easier—and I promise you, the community and professional benefits will surprise you.
Definition of a reverence: a gesture of respect (as a bow). Bowing was originally a gesture that Master-rated coach & IJS showed deep respect for someone. Teach your athletes to always finish their programs with a reverTechnical Specialist ence/bow. It is important to practice the bows. Typically a bow should last a count of eight: three to present to the officials and the audience, three to go down, pause and acknowledge and two for returning to an upright position. Repeat on the opposite side of the rink. Always bow to the officials first. It may seem vain to practice the bow; however, the bow is a part of the performance. It is the final and lasting impression they will leave with the audience. Learn to bow graciously and humbly. Pay attention to detail!
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NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2013