What We Do

Facilitator

A facilitator is certified only to conduct awareness sessions for his/her district or at education conferences (state, regional, or national) and to provide follow-up support to CRISS-trained teachers in his/her district. A facilitator may not conduct Project CRISS Level I trainings independently or with other certified CRISS trainers.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION AS A FACILITATOR

1. Teacher certification.
2. Participation in at least two CRISS Level I trainings (12-24 contact hours each) prior to
   Level II training. Both of these trainings must be within 4 years of attending the Level II training.
3. Six months of classroom experience with CRISS principles and strategies prior to participating in a Level II workshop. This experience may be either as a classroom teacher or collaborating with a classroom teacher.
4. Successful completion of a Level II CRISS Certified Trainer workshop (4 days, 28 contact hours).
5. Broad knowledge of recent research and theory in the field of content reading; strong interest in on-going research by recognized experts in the field.

District Trainer

A District Trainer (DT) is certified to conduct Project CRISS Level I trainings within his or her employment district under the following conditions:

• If the DT is employed by a school district, he or she may conduct CRISS Level I workshops only within that school district. This means that if a DT is employed by the XYZ School District, he or she may train teachers from any school within the XYZ School District.
• If the DT is employed by a regional agency (cooperative or service center)-receives a monthly salary-and the DT is not employed by a specific school district, the "District" certification allows the DT to train teachers only in the member school districts of the co-op or service center. Being hired as a consultant by the agency does not constitute "employment."
• If the DT is not employed by a school district or regional agency, please contact the Project CRISS National Office at 1-877-502-7477 or info@projectcriss.com to determine the "legal" training area.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION AS A DISTRICT TRAINER

1. Teacher certification.
2. Participation in at least two CRISS Level I trainings (12-24 contact hours each) prior to Level II training. Both of these trainings must be within 4 years of attending the Level II training.
3. Six months of classroom experience with CRISS principles and strategies prior to participating in a Level II workshop. This experience may be either as a classroom teacher or collaborating with a classroom teacher.
4. Successful completion of a Level II CRISS Certified Trainer workshop (4 days, 28 contact hours).
5. Apprenticeship at a complete Level I workshop (12-24 contact hours), under an experienced* CRISS Trainer (mentor trainer). This apprenticeship must be within 18 months of successfully completing the Level II workshop. Certification will not be granted until the candidate has successfully completed and verified this apprenticeship. Please note: The mentor trainer may apprentice a maximum of two trainer candidates during a complete Level I training. *(NOTE: An "experienced CRISS Trainer" is a trainer who has been certified for at least one year and who has conducted a minimum of two trainings [not including his or her own apprenticeship training] in the twelve months prior to mentoring.)
6. Completion of two CRISS Strategic Learning Plans with accompanying paperwork and student samples to be turned in to the CRISS office with the rest of the apprenticeship paperwork.
7. Broad knowledge of recent research and theory in the field of content reading; strong interest in on-going research by recognized experts in the field.
8. Ability to train grade 4-12 teachers (of all content areas) and to conduct a CRISS Level I training, unassisted, with consistency and attention to all key elements of the program.
9. Certification maintenance. To maintain DT certification, trainers must:
   • Use the most up-to-date training materials. (See “Trainer Resources” in the Trainer Login area of the Web site and/or contact the CRISS office.)
   • Facilitate a CRISS Level I training (12 hour minimum) at least once every two years. If a DT has not trained in the prior 24 months, he or she must contact the CRISS office to determine the process for recertifying before scheduling a
     Level I training.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DISTRICT TRAINER

1. Train teachers in CRISS certification area (usually a school district). Only National Trainers may train outside of their employment area.
2. Provide at least one year of follow-up support to CRISS-trained teachers. This support may be periodic meetings for sharing, learning new strategies, and lesson planning; classroom visits; modeling of strategies; a CRISS newsletter or e-newsletter; e-mail support and sharing of ideas; CRISS Cornerstones, or other means of support appropriate for effective CRISS implementation.
3. Provide information in the agreed upon format to CRISS staff regarding awareness presentations, training presentations, school contact persons, and evaluation summaries.
4. Return paperwork (sign-in sheets and evaluations) to CRISS staff within two weeks of final workshop session.
5. Maintain the integrity of the project in terms of standards of time required for training, copyrighted materials, accuracy of information, concerns and values, and costs of materials.
6. Recognize that the Level II workshop (the training of trainers) is conducted only by the Project CRISS Master Trainers.
7. Conduct awareness presentations.
8. Provide at least two weeks (10 business days) notice to the CRISS National Office for purchase and shipping of project materials for in-service training.
9. Maintain loyalty to the CRISS presentation format and strategies. Teach CRISS methods first, adaptations and modifications later.
10. Aid Project CRISS staff in collecting impact data.

National Trainer

A National Trainer (NT) is certified to conduct Project CRISS Level I trainings in any district, region, or state.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION AS A NATIONAL TRAINER

1. CRISS District Trainer (DT) in good standing (has met all of these requirements and carried out all DT responsibilities).
2. CRISS District Trainer certification for at least THREE years.
3. Facilitation of at least SIX CRISS Level I trainings, by himself/herself, within the three years prior to applying.
4. Successful completion of the application process which includes:
   • Phone interview.
   • Written application, plus $50.00 fee.
   • Portfolio containing CRISS Strategic Learning Plan with K-12 students and student samples.
   • Master Trainer approval of applicant video (1. Level I principles presentation, 2. Level I learning plan presentation, 3. Student classroom lesson).
   • Master Trainer onsite review and approval of the Level I workshop, day 1.

 NOTE: If you have any questions regarding the Project CRISS National Trainer application process, please contact the CRISS office at 1-877-502-7477 or jmartin@projectcriss.com.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MAINTAINING NATIONAL TRAINER (NT) CERTIFICATION

1. Attain a total of 30 points* each year (July 1-June 30). At least one Level I workshop (12 points) is required. *(Click here for a schedule of CRISS activities and their point values.)
2. Provide a variety of other CRISS activities in any combination to total the other 18 points.
3. Communicate with the CRISS National Office in a timely fashion (e.g., notify the National Office of dates and locations of all trainings conducted, order materials for best delivery times, return training paperwork within two weeks of the completion of the activity).
4. Provide at least one year of follow-up support for teachers who have completed CRISS Level I training facilitated by the NT. This support may be periodic meetings for sharing, learning new strategies, and lesson planning; classroom visits; modeling of strategies; a CRISS newsletter or e-newsletter; e-mail support and sharing of ideas; CRISS Cornerstones, or other means of support appropriate for effective CRISS implementation.
5. Attend a CRISS Certified Trainers conference or an update meeting approved by the National Office, at least once every three years. A list of approved conferences and update meetings will be provided to each trainer in the CRISS Crafter (the e-mail newsletter for Certified Trainers) and listed on the Web site calendar.
6. Maintain the integrity of the project in terms of standards of time required for training, by honoring the copyrights of materials used, by providing accurate information, and by accurately presenting the training format and strategies.
7. Aid Project CRISS staff in collecting impact data when requested.
8. Display evidence of CRISS professional growth (e.g., the integrating of CRISS with other programs, observing other CRISS teachers in the classroom, presenting model lessons for teachers, reading professional journals, staying current with learning trends and strategies.)

Master Trainer

A Master Trainer (MT) is certified to conduct Project CRISS Level I and Level II (training of trainers) workshops in any district, region, or state. MTs are personally selected by the CRISS National Office.