TSI Training and Certification

Levels of TSI Training and Expertise
TSI strongly believes in working in collaboration with our school partners and regional trainers to ensure that we all sustain the integrity of our purpose and the high quality of our change processes.  At every level of our training and certification process, every person has a map and support resources for where they are going with access to the TSI members resources.   Embedded in our training guides, and training and certification processes, is the use of research on learning and thinking.    All of our trainers follow the Learning Pyramid for engagement shown below and included in our Growing Thinking Schools guide.  A very high percentage of the training we provide is focused on “discussion”, “practice by doing” and “immediate use” of strategies and models for thinking.

There are the four levels of TSI Training Certification (see descriptions below):
Level 1 – Participant
Level 2 – Facilitator
Level 3 – Master Trainer
Level 4 – TSI Master Trainer

LEVEL 1          Participant Certification
Participants are people who have attended the 2-day seminar using Growing Thinking Schools From the Inside Out” guide. This seminar is normally attended by a whole school faculty or groups of educators who are interested in transforming their school into a Thinking School.

Participants learn about the vision of Thinking Schools, specific and practical “starting points” for getting started in classrooms, and begin the planning process for creating their own vision of a multi-year plan of implementation.  Each Participant receives a TSI Certification of Participation in the 2-day professional development seminar.

LEVEL 2         Facilitator Certification
Facilitators are certified to conduct the 2 day “Growing a Thinking School” seminar.  These Facilitators have gained a Certification of Participation as a Participant (Level 1) and have successfully attended a 3 day “TSI Facilitator’s Training” led by a Master Trainer using the TSI Facilitators Guide.   This Level 2 Facilitator’s Training Certification enables a person to lead the 2 day seminar.  Certification is given to educators who demonstrate a mastery of the content of the seminar and a capacity to facilitate groups of educators (not simply to conduct training) at a high quality level. All of our trainers are mindful of the research on high quality

LEVEL 3          Master Trainer
Master Trainers have successfully completed Levels 1 and 2 Certification and have demonstrated to TSI that they have the knowledge base and capacity to facilitate–and model–high quality training.  A Master Trainer—beyond completion of Level 1 and 2–must successfully complete a 4 day Master Trainer course (or mentorship) led by a TSI Master Trainer, submit a portfolio of work demonstrating effective facilitation processes with at least one Thinking School, and gain a letter of recommendation from a TSI Master Trainer.  Master Trainers may conduct trainings at Levels 1 and 2 within a specific region in coordination with TSI.

LEVEL 4         TSI Global Trainer
TSI Master Trainers have demonstrated a unique capacity to facilitate and train educators at Levels 1-3.  Importantly, they have shown a deep commitment to the work of TSI around the world by offering their insights (and time) to improving the TSI processes and exhibit a focus on their own and others’ continuous learning.  At present, TSI Master Trainers are those people who are intimately involved in the development of the content and processes of the “Growing Thinking Schools” Participants’ Guide and Facilitators’ Guides and training processes at each level.  They have become experts in the facilitation of Thinking Schools initiatives.  TSI Master Trainers are certified to conduct LEVEL 1-3 training in any country around the world.