Qualified VTS Trainers
What is a Qualified VTS Trainer?
Qualified VTS Trainers have completed a structured, sequential course of professional development and practice as outlined in the table below. While VTS can appear quite simple and straight-forward to use and implement, the underlying theory and practice are nuanced and, as with most things, takes extensive practice and reflection to master. Proper training is critical for attaining the depth and breadth of expertise and experience necessary to be effective as a Qualified VTS Trainer. VUE, the innovator, developer, and disseminator of VTS, maintains a roster of Qualified VTS Trainers available for both "Comprehensive"LINK and "Basic"LINK 3-year VTS Implementations as well as VTS Consulting and VTS Training events. VUE verifies that Qualified VTS Trainers have completed the relevant sequence of PD and practice as designed by Philip Yenawine and Abigail Housen and are fully capable of leading VTS training events as outlined in the table below.
| Function | Qualification | Level of Training Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facilitator Coaching | VTS Coach | Lead-Teacher Institute 1 or PDI 1 | |
| Group Debriefing | VTS Coach | Same as previous level and Lead Teacher-Institute 2 or PDI 2, and at least one year of VTS in a classroom and/or varied and sequential museum visitor groups | |
| School Training (lead trainer) | VTS Trainer | Same as previous level and PDI 3, two years of VTS in the classroom and/or museum and 24 training hours co-leading School Trainings with a Master Trainer. | |
| Docent Training (lead trainer) | VTS Trainer | Same as previous level plus three years of VTS museum experience | |
| VTS Practicum (lead trainer) | Expert Trainer | Same as previous level plus five years of VTS training experience | |
| VTS PDI 1 and 2 (lead trainer) | Expert Trainer | Same as previous levels plus co-leading PDI 1 or 2 with Expert Trainer |
How do I become a Qualified VTS Trainer?
To become a Qualified VTS Trainer, a participant is required to complete the Professional Development Institute series. The PDI consists of 3 sessions held at roughly the same time and location annually over the course of three years. Each PDI session is 4 days long and builds on the previous year. Between sessions, participants are expected to teach a complete curriculum of VTS to students or actively use VTS as part of their work at a museum or other institution and document their work.
After the completion of the PDI series, participants are qualified to lead most VTS activities as listed in the table above. In order to become a VTS School Trainer, participants are required to co-lead at least three VTS school trainings with a VTS Expert Trainer. In order to become a VTS Expert Trainer participants are required to lead at least 10 school or museum trainings and practice VTS regularly for at least five years.