The NJ Instructor Approval System

Instructor Approval Orientation

Lesson #4

Welcome to Lesson #4!

• Before you start Lesson #4, please download and print: the Instructor Orientation Quiz #4 at

Instructor Approval Orientation Quiz #4 NJ Registry Career Lattice at NJ Registry Career LatticeNJ Instructor Approval System grid at Core Knowledge and Competencies, Professional

Standards for Working With Children Birth Through Age Eight and in Afterschool Programs at http://www.pinj.org/index.php?cat=core

• You may want to have the Lesson #4 Quiz in front of you as you complete this lesson

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The NJ Instructor Approval System

• Is an extension of the NJ Registry Career Lattice (see Lesson #3)

• Requires thorough knowledge of Professional Impact NJ’s Core Knowledge and Competencies, Professional Standards for Working With Children Birth Through Age Eight and in Afterschool Programs (see Lesson #2)

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The NJ Instructor Approval System

• Supports quality training for the early childhood and afterschool workforce in New Jersey which is tied to the NJ Registry Career Lattice and the Core Knowledge and Competencies, Professional Standards for Working With Children Birth Through Age Eight and in Afterschool Programs

• Is a voluntary system in which instructors and mentors become approved at one of four Instructor Levels: Mentor, Associate Instructor, Instructor, and Master Instructor

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The NJ Instructor Approval System

• Offers instructors training in adult education principles and training techniques

• Offers guidelines in training session development

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Instructor Approval Levels Take Into Account the Applicant’s:

• Formal Education in the Field

• Experience Working Directly With Children

• Experience In Mentoring/Teaching Adults

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To Become an Approved Instructor the Applicant Must…

• Become a member of the NJ Registry at a minimum of Level II (see Lesson #3)

• Read and become knowledgeable of Professional Impact NJ’s Core Knowledge and Competencies, Professional Standards for Working With Children Birth Through Age Eight and in Afterschool Programs (see Lesson #2)

• Successfully complete the Instructor Approval System Instructor Orientation Lessons and Quizzes #1-#5.

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To Become an Approved Instructor the Applicant Must Provide…

• Official transcripts from an accredited college or university of highest college degree completed and unofficial transcripts of other college coursework

• Two references from individuals who have seen you instruct/mentor adults

• A resume documenting all child-related and supervisory work experience

• A signed application including Memorandum of Understanding

• Application fee

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Mentor

• Minimum Level II on NJ Registry or NAFCCC-accredited family child care provider

• Documented successful completion of Professional Impact NJ’s six (6)-hour mentor/leadership professional development

• Two (2) years full-time work experience directly with children

• Twenty (20) hours in previous year responsible for the professional development of other adults

• May teach Basic level trainings

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Associate Instructor

• Minimum Level VI in NJ Registry, with an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education or sixty (60) college credits with a minimum of six (6) credits in early childhood education and nine (9) credits in related courses

• Three (3) years full-time work experience directly with children

• Forty (40) hours within last five (5) years responsible for the professional development of other adults

• May teach Basic level trainings

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Instructor

• Minimum Level VII in NJ Registry, with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education or the Equivalent, with a minimum of twelve (12) credits in Early Childhood Education

• Three (3) years full-time work experience, two (2) of which must be working directly with children

• 100 clock hours within past five (5) years responsible for the professional development of other adults

• May teach Intermediate level trainings

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Master Instructor

• Minimum Level IX on NJ Registry, with a Masters degree in Education with an Early Childhood concentration in either the Masters or Bachelors program

• Three (3) years full-time work experience, two (2) of which must be working directly with children

• 300 clock hours in last five (5) years responsible for the professional development of other adults

• May teach Advanced level trainings

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Instructor Approval Renewal

• Is renewed annually• Renewal fee increases if applicant renews

late• Must undergo twenty (20) hours of

professional development per year to renew, three (3) of which must be in adult education

• Membership on a professional board can count for up to three (3) hours annually

• Preparation of coursework and time spent teaching classes and workshops cannot be counted toward renewal

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Consultants and Agencies

• Consultants who offer training on other topics to early childhood and afterschool care and education professionals may be approved in their area of expertise

• Resource and Referral and other agencies which offer training can also become approved as a Sponsoring Agency. Approved Sponsoring Agencies must use PINJ-approved Instructors and Consultants

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What’s next for Instructors?

• PINJ’s Clearinghouse Committee is developing standardized training certificates and participant evaluations for use by all approved Instructors, Consultants, and Sponsoring Agencies

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What’s next for Instructors?

• PINJ-approved trainers:– Can determine the NJ Registry Career Lattice Level of the

target audience:• Basic

• Intermediate

• Advanced

– Develop and offer trainings that are appropriate to the Level of the target audience that they can teach

– The Level of the Instructor determines the Level of training she/he may offer

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Using the Core Knowledge and Competencies to Rate a Course

Course Rating Category

Appropriate for Core Knowledge

Competency Level

May be Taught by Instructor Level

Basic Levels I and II Mentor, Associate Instructor, Instructor, or Master Instructor

Intermediate Levels III, IV, V, VI,VII and VIII

Instructor or Master Instructor

Advanced Levels IX and X Master Instructor

What’s next for Instructors?

• PINJ-approved trainers can classify the workshops they offer according to PINJ’s Core Knowledge Areas:– Child Growth and Development– Curriculum– Family and Community Relationships– Assessment and Evaluation– Professionalism and Leadership– Program Organization and Management– Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Activities

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What’s next for Instructors?

• PINJ-approved trainers:–Can enter their contact information

and areas of expertise into PINJ’s Directory of Instructional Resources, available at www.pinj.org

–Can enter their workshops into PINJ’s Directory of Instructional Resources, available at www.pinj.org

– track participation in their workshops through the upgraded NJ Registry

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This is the end of Lesson #4.

• Please download, print, and completethe Lesson #4 quiz at Instructor Approval Orientation Quiz #4 before going on to Lesson #5.

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