If you are a Positive Discipline Certified Educator, you can become a Certified Trainer to facilitate Certification Workshops in one or more of the following Core Areas:
- TP - Teaching Parenting the Positive Discipline Way
- PDC - Positive Discipline in the Classroom
- ECE - Positive Discipline for Early Childhood Educators
To become certified as a Trainer there is a process that involves a wide range of participation in field work and professional development which you need to document to qualify for an Advanced Candidate Training (ACT).
WHAT IS AN ADVANCED CANDIDATE TRAINING (ACT)?
Advanced Candidate Training is a 4-day workshop (or online series) facilitated by Positive Discipline Lead Trainers. The learning objective is to prepare Trainer Candidates to facilitate Positive Discipline Certification Core Workshops. To attend, there is a process of preparation that culminates in this workshop. Each ACT has a cohort of only 12 participants.
Note: It takes time and diligence to develop true mastery of facilitation skills and a deep understanding of Positive Discipline. The amount of time to complete the process of Advanced Training will vary depending on your background and individual life and/or professional experience. This process takes a minimum of 12 months.
WHAT IS A TRAINER CANDIDATE?
A Trainer Candidate is a Positive Discipline Certified Educator in one of three Positive Discipline Core Workshops (listed above) going through the process of completing a series of steps to be considered to attend an Advanced Candidate Training.
TO GET STARTED
____ Complete at least one Positive Discipline Certification
____ Complete Trainer Candidate Application and Letter of Intent
____ Upgrade to a Trainer Candidate Level Membership for $125 per year. For a list of our membership levels, click here
Note: The PDA will invoice you upon approval of your application.
____ Once your invoice is paid, you will be announced in the PDA Newsletter and Website as a new Trainer Candidate.
TO SUBMIT YOUR DOCUMENTATION
____ Email to act@positivediscipline.org
____ Documents should be organized and attached to the email(s).
____ Links to shared Google Drives cannot be accepted.
____ Part of a Trainer's role is to organize certification workshop documentation in a professional manner. Therefore, it is important to
demonstrate organization, clear documentation as well as professionalism when submitting required documentation.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CERTIFICATIONS
____ The PDA will only send Trainer Candidate files for final review when ALL required documentation has been submitted.
____ Before attending an ACT, complete:
- One TP
and
- Minimum of ONE other Core Workshop (ECE or PDC)
____ Maintain an active Trainer Candidate Level Membership for a minimum of one year before applying to attend an ACT.
____ Submit a 2-page written reflection of Jane Nelsen's original Positive Discipline book (available in multiple languages) reflecting on
how one or two key principles or ideas have impacted you professionally and/or personally.
____ Submit a 2-page written reflection on a book by Alfred Adler or Rudolf Dreikurs reflecting on how one or two key principles or
ideas have impacted you professionally and/or personally.
____ Request written recommendation letters from two people who know your Positive Discipline work. These could be from
a Mentor, Trainer, Lead Trainer, or people you have worked with. Written recommendations should be sent by those
individuals directly to act@positivediscipline.org.
RECOMMENDATIONS
____ Attend Positive Discipline Conferences and Think Tanks.
____ Participate regularly in LIVE Interactive Online Virtual Mentor Groups.
____ Read as many Positive Discipline books as possible.
____ Read Adler, Dreikurs, and other Adlerian resources.
____ Attend an Art of Facilitation workshop.
____ Submit all required materials for approval in a timely and professional manner.
____ Become familiar with the PDA website; learn from the videos, webinars, teleconferences, and reference materials.
____ For Trainer Candidates seeking Teaching Parenting the Positive Discipline Way (TP) Certification, post all parenting classes on
the PDA website. Post your class here
REQUIREMENTS BY CERTIFICATION
Teaching Parenting the Positive Discipline Way (TP):
____ Facilitate parenting classes (a minimum of THREE 6-week series is required).
- At least EIGHT attendees per series.
- Why 6-week series? Because you need to experience exactly what you will be training others to do. It also gives you the opportunity to work with parents from week to week as they learn and apply Positive Discipline. While a minimum of THREE 6-week series of classes is required, we recommend that you acquire as much experience as possible before applying for an ACT.
____ Include Parents Helping Parents (PHP) in EVERY session within EACH 6-week series
____ Submit the following documents for EACH 6-week series:
____ Participant Evaluations - The number of evaluations submitted should equal the number of attendees present at the last session.
____ Face Sheet (Summary) Word or PDF
____ Agenda - For samples, go to Educator Homepage
____ Sign-In Sheets that reflect attendance at EACH class.
____ Before attending an ACT, complete:
- One TP
and
- Minimum of ONE other Core Workshop (ECE or PDC)
Positive Discipline in the Classroom (PDC):
Requirements for Teachers Working in Their Own Classrooms: This extensive process involves teaching the Essential Skills for a Positive Discipline Classroom, Essential Skills for Class Meetings, and facilitating Class Meetings on a regular basis. This includes using an agenda and working with students on problem solving as well as follow up on prior solutions. This process would be expected to run the course of a school year.
____ PDC Evaluation form completed by a direct supervisor, Certified Positive Discipline Trainer, or Certified Positive
Discipline Lead Trainer: Word or PDF
____ Face Sheet (Summary) detailing times, location, and dates of classroom work: Word or PDF
____ Journal your reflections over time. You can submit using this Online Form or Word document.
____ Before attending an ACT, complete:
Requirements for Applicants Working in Other Teachers' Classrooms: This extensive process involves teaching the Essential Skills for a Positive Discipline Classroom*, Essential Skills for Class Meetings, and facilitating Class Meetings on a regular basis. This includes using an agenda and working with students on problem solving as well as follow up on prior solutions. This entire process should take place in a minimum of two different classrooms* and expected to run the course of a school year working consistently with the same group of students.**
____ PDC Evaluation form completed by each teacher in a minimum of TWO CLASSROOMS: Word or PDF
____ Face Sheet (Summary) detailing times, location, and dates of classroom work: Word or PDF
____ Journal your reflections over time. You can submit using this Online Form or Word document.
_____Before attending an ACT, complete:
*The word “classroom” here is intended to have a broad application. A classroom may be a public or private grade school classroom, an afternoon program classroom, a day or residential treatment program setting, a childcare classroom, or a preschool classroom. Other group settings not listed here may be considered appropriate as well.
**The goal is that all essential activities be taught at least twice or until applicants feel confident with the material prior to attending ACT.
Positive Discipline for Early Childhood Educators (ECE):
A total of 36 hours of applied practice (observation / facilitating activities from the ECE Manual with students / facilitating activities from the ECE Manual with preschool or early childhood teachers or people who work with young children) are required depending on your professional and educational background. The 36 hours do not have to be divided equally but as close as possible.
____ Submit a written reflection on Positive Discipline for Preschoolers OR Positive Discipline - The First Three Years (available in multiple languages).
If you currently work / have worked in an Early Childhood program and/or have a degree in Early Childhood Education:
____ Complete the Early Childhood Experience Form.
____ Facilitate Activities from the ECE Manual with Students – Keep a journal during your time with them and include the following for each activity:
- Name of activity
- Date facilitated
- Short Reflection on each activity
_____ Facilitate Activities from the ECE Manual with preschool or early childhood teachers or people who work with young children. For each class
or class series with the same group, submit:
_____ Before attending an ACT, complete:
If you have not worked in an Early Childhood program nor have a degree in Early Childhood Education:
______ Observe in an early childhood setting and use the following to document your observation:
- ECE Individual Observation and Reflection Form: Word PDF
- ECE Summary Observation and Reflection Form: Word PDF
______ Facilitate Activities from the ECE Manual with Students – Keep a journal during your time with them and include the following for each
activity:
- Name of activity
- Date facilitated
- Short Reflection on each activity
_____ Facilitate Activities from the ECE Manual with preschool or early childhood teachers or people who work with young children. For each class
or class series with the same group, submit:
_____ Before attending an ACT, complete:
AFTER ALL DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND REVIEWED
____ Virtual Interview (Interpretation available) - The most qualified candidates will be selected.
ALL CRITERIA ARE REVIEWED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. ANY VARIATION TO THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PRE-APPROVED.
If you have any questions, please email act@positivediscipline.org
