JOSIE PREISS

People of APSI

 

Certification/s and year achieved.

  • CSIA Level 2 1985
  • APSI Level 2 1992

 
What was training with the APSI like when you achieved your certification and how would you compare it to current times?

I always found the APSI to be a professional organisation with a high level of trainers, training, learning
material, courses and thorough and fair examination process.

 

Which Australian Snowsports School did/do you work with?

Falls Creek Snowsports 1986 - 2002
Children's Supervisor (3-6 year old Program) 1996 - 2002

 

Did/do you also teach in the Northern Hemisphere and where?

Austria
Mayrhofen 1989 (3 seasons)
Ehrwald 1992 (9 seasons)
Ehrwald Children's supervisor (4 seasons)

 

What position/s did/do you hold in the APSI (include years held)?

    - Co- writing the first APSI Children's teaching Manual approx (1998 ish?)
    - Helping with the introduction of the Children's Teaching Certificate (late 90's / 2000)
    - APSI Children's Teaching Certificate trainer and Examiner. (late 90's / 2000)
    - APSI Board Member not 100% sure on exact dates (mid to late 90's)

    I also represented the APSI overseas a few times:
    - Beitostolen Norway October 1997 (planning committee for Interski 1999 - while K. Dodd on Maternity leave)
    - St Moritz 1997 Ski Instructor Championships
    - ISIA congress in Prague Czech Republic April 1998

     

    Kerry Lee Dodd & Josie Preiss, St Moritz 1997

    ISIA Congress, Prague 1998

       

    What made/makes you most proud of the APSI at that time?

    The professionalism of the APSI is something I have always been proud of.

     

    What important events happened during your time with the APSI?

    APSI appointing a full time head trainer - Don McInness
    Australia 's first demo team attended Interski in St Anton, Austria 1991
    I attended and was very proud spectator and workshop participant

     

    With regard to your work with the APSI, what accomplishment/s are you most proud of? (share all that apply)

    (duplicate of previous question)
    Co- writing the first APSI Children's teaching Manual approx (1998 ish?)
    Helping with the introduction of the Children's Teaching Certificate (late 90's / 2000)
    APSI Children's Teaching Certificate trainer and Examiner. (late 90's / 2000)
    APSI Board Member not 100% sure on exact dates (mid to late 90's)

     

    How did the above accomplishment/s change the APSI moving forward?

    Recognition of the importance within Snowsport schools of Specialist Instructors that work well with
    children Expanding the Instructors knowledge and skills to be the best they can
    Happy Kids = Happy Parents (return customers)

      

    Describe how the APSI compared/s to international instructor organisations at that time?
    APSI has always been very professional. Australian Instructors have always worked hard to train, improve and be the best representatives of their
    country. As very few Australians are born into skiing as a sport. We see we need to work hard, and achieve respect and work alongside our peers from the Northern Hemisphere. We do not take skiing or boarding for granted in Australia.

     

    How did/do international organisations view the APSI? Was/is there much communication/sharing of information between organisations?

    Australian Instructor are very well respected internationally.
    In Australia, we have always been fortunate to work and train with very talented technical skiers/ boarders
    from Austria and Europe. Coupled with "how to teach" and become better at instructing from North
    American Instructors.
    Giving "us Aussies" a well rounded education and the best of both worlds.

     

    During your time with the APSI, who were some influential/inspiring people within the organisation?

    Brad Spalding, Don McInness, John Fahey, Bob Irwin, Ian Bruce, Con Poulos, Tina Ennis, Andrew Rae, Mark
    McDonald, Andy Stringer, Heather Phillips, Robyn Bowen, and many more!

     

    Please share a funny or interesting APSI story from your time with the APSI.
    Fond memories of working hard in all conditions for the greater good with a fantastic bunch of people. We didn't all have a phone / camera in our pockets back then, and a pre - digital time, so unfortunately not so many photos to share. But oh we had some fun!
    Kerry had the most important mission - to teach my husband Shane to ski in 2012. This was the one and only ski teaching task that I was unable to do! 

     Kerry most important mission, to teach my husband, Shane to ski 2012