PRE-CONFERENCE CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING WORKSHOPS
(Times, locations and content subject to change as preparations progress)

Online registration is required for the following workshops at VATAT ONLINE.  Registration will be on a first-come, first-serve basis with a limited number of participants. We will only finalize workshop arrangements if there is adequate interest based on registration numbers. YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED FOR THE WORKSHOP UNTIL THE FEE IS RECEIVED. The registration and payment deadline is due by July 16, 2010.  Workshops may be paid by credit card or a check payable to “VATAT”.  Tickets must be picked up at the Tour / Workshop Desk by 5pm on Tuesday of the Conference, or they will be resold on a first-come, first-serve basis.  

For workshops that include lunch, a very limited number of lunches may be available for those who register on-site and will be on a first – come, first – serve basis after attendees who registered by the deadline have received their box lunches. 

ALL TRAINING WORKSHOPS ARE MONDAY, JULY 26, 2010

Hunter Education Instructor Workshop: Mon 8:30am – 5:00pm  
Workshop Fee:  $ 15 includes box lunch

Texas Parks and Wildlife will present this course to certify teachers to become Texas Hunter Education Instructors. As a Texas Hunter Education Instructor, you will be qualified to certify students and the public in Hunter Education. To familiarize yourself with the NEW REQUIREMENTS for this workshop, please go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Web site under www.tpwd.state.tx.us > Outdoor Learning (on top Toolbar) > Hunter & Bowhunter Education > Becoming an Instructor (left sidebar).  You should review the steps for Instructor Certification.  At the workshop you will be required to certify that you have completed Chapters 1 and 2 of the course on-line.  You also must sign a release for a background check. 

Teachers must also currently hold a Texas Hunter Education Certificate. Eight hours of training will be held on Monday, July 26, 2010.  Four hours of the workshop will be at the Galveston Convention Center, and the afternoon hours will be off-site and involve live demonstrations and field activities. You will need to travel by personal vehicle to this site. Once enrolled in this class, all hours must be completed during the 2010 Agriculture Teachers Conference for certification.

If you do not have your Hunter Education Certificate to qualify for the Instructor Workshop, numerous certification courses are offered around the state. Please refer to the Texas Parks and Wildlife education Web site for a listing of Hunter Education courses by city and date: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/edu/hunted/hunted.htm

CPR Anytime Workshop and Kit:  3:00 – 4:00 pm    
Kit Fee:   $ 35

CPR Anytime is a self-directed, personal CPR kit that makes learning the core skills of CPR easy, convenient, affordable and fun.  It takes only 22 minutes to learn and is highly recommended for all teachers.  In this workshop, teachers will receive instruction on how to use the kit during the class and have supervised practice time.  If you are unable to attend the class, you can still receive the kit to learn at home.  The kit includes a DVD, book, practice manikin, disinfectant wipes, extra lung and directions for use and cleaning.   Please note that this class will not meet the requirement for a CPR Certification but will provide basic emergency CPR training.  Each kit should be for only one person and his or her family.  If there is not adequate registration for the workshop, the kit will still be available for pick-up.  For more information on CPR Anytime, please see www.americanheart.org > CPR & ECC > CPR Anytime. 

Private Pesticide Applicators Re-certification ( 3 CEU CREDITS) : 8:00am – 11:00am
Workshop Fee:  $ 20 includes box lunch

Licensed private applicators are required to recertify every five years by obtaining fifteen (15) continuing education credits, including two (2) credits in laws and regulations and two (2) credits in integrated pest management (IPM), prior to expiration of the license.  Licensed commercial and non-commercial applicators are required to recertify every year by obtaining five (5) continuing education credits; with one credit each from two of the following categories:  Laws and regulations, integrated pest management or drift minimization. 

This 3 CEU recertification program will be composed of at least one (1) laws and regulations and two (2) General credits, for a total of three (3) CEUs. 

Private Pesticide Applicators Certification EXAM: 8:30am – 4:00pm
Workshop Fee:  $ 20 includes box lunch

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and Texas Cooperative Extension are scheduled to provide Private Pesticide Applicators Certification Instruction and Testing.  Individuals seeking a Private Applicator License must (1) attend a private applicator training program approved by the TDA, (2) pass the TDA private applicator exam, and (3) purchase a license ($60).  Private applicator licenses expire five years from the anniversary date on which the license was issued.   Upon recertification, applicators must have obtained 15 hours of continued education credits (CEUs) and submit a renewal fee of $60.
 
To pass the certification exam, you will need to be familiar with the material in the Private Applicator Manual (B-1648) as well as in the Laws and Regulations Manual (B-5056).  Upon registering for this workshop, it is your responsibility to order these two manuals through the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Agriculture and Environmental Safety Department.  Please see the study manual order form.  The cost of these two manuals is approximately $50.00 and they will be shipped in advance to assist in your exam preparation.  For more information on pesticide licensing visit:  www.agr.state.tx.us/pesticide/.

If you wish to take the Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator Exams please email ltraylor@austin.rr.com to reserve a place.  You will need a letter from your school requesting that you take the exam and you must prepare for the exam from the Non-Commercial manuals.  There is not a study workshop provided for the Non-Commercial exam.  Manuals can be purchased from Texas Cooperative Extension at www-aes.tamu.edu.

Wildlife CDE Training: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Workshop Fee:  $ 35 includes lunch and study guide

Teachers who are interested in training students for the Wildlife Career Development Event should attend this training to become familiar with the materials and set-up of the contest. The training will be part lecture, part hands-on workshop. Teachers will need to travel by personal vehicle to the site.  Wear comfortable and suitable clothing for this practical workshop. Please bring a signed liability waiver to the workshop.  Print at www-ims.tamu.edu/docs2/Waiver20042005.pdf.

National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Certification Workshop:  9:00am – 4:00pm
Workshop Fee:  $ 85 to cover study materials, lunch and instructor fees

The National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program is designed to prepare and certify youth 14 – 15 years old to operate tractors and machinery for employment per the 1968 Hazardous Occupations Order for Agriculture.  The curriculum will be introduced for two specific training environments: classroom versus independent study so teachers can determine which one is most appropriate for their students.  Upon successful workshop completion, each teacher will receive a certificate validating the hours and be able to implement the program upon returning to school.   A minimum of 10 teachers is required to conduct this workshop.  If 10 teachers are not registered before June 1st, you will be notified of the workshop cancellation. 

Clay Target Shooting Program 

Session 1:  Sunday, July 25     OR                      Session 2: Monday, July 26
                           9:00am – 5:00pm                   9:00am – 5:00pm 
Workshop Fee:  $15

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has a new youth development program to introduce Ag students to clay target shooting.  This session will be your introduction to the program vision including how to become involved, how to recruit students, how to get range time and other course opportunities.  It will be held off-site at a rifle range in Galveston.  Targets will be provided but teachers must bring their own shotgun and ammo.  Please make sure that guns inside the hotel are kept unloaded and in the cases.  For more information, please call Charlie Wilson at (512) 413-0194 or visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us > Outdoor Learning (on top Toolbar) > Hunter Education > Shooting Sports Opportunities.

Bus Driver Re-certification Workshop 8:30am-5:00pm
Workshop Fee:   $ 60 includes box lunch (30 min lunch)
Ag Teachers who need to RE-CERTIFY for a Bus Drivers License (Commercial Drivers License with an S-endorsement) will have the opportunity to take the 8-hour refresher course on Monday.  Certification is valid for 3 years.  The DPS training program covers specific school bus safety education training in accordance with the DPS Program Guide for School Bus Driver Training in Texas, utilizing core materials provided by DPS.   The bus driver certification program is defined in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37 Part 1, Chapter 14.  NEW MATERIAL is being introduced on July 1, 2010.   Additional information may be found on the information sheet on the Web site or your ESC School Transportation coordinator.   A minimum of 10 teachers is required to conduct this workshop.  If 10 teachers are not registered before June 1st, you will be notified of the workshop cancellation. 

Texas Boater Education Instructor Certification: 8:30am – 4:00pm
Workshop Fee:  $ 15 includes lunch

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Boater Education program stresses boating safety and responsibility, including tips on choosing the right boat, legal requirements for your boat, navigation rules and aids, getting underway, docking, anchoring, trailering, handling accidents and emergencies, weather basic water safety, fire on board, water sports and more.  This course will require 6-7 hours of instruction for certification. For more information, please visit:
www.tpwd.state.tx.us > Outdoor Learning (on top Toolbar) > Boater Education. 

Junior and Master Angler Instructor Workshop: 8:30am – 12:00Noon
Workshop Fee:  $ 15 includes box lunch

This workshop will equip adults to teach basic fishing skills for preparing youth to be responsible anglers who are respectful of Texas’ fish and water resources.  Upon completion, participants receive a special instructor pin, become part of TPWD’s Angler Education team and are able to order free educational materials for their students.  For more information, please visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us > Outdoor Learning (on top Toolbar) > Angler Education Instructor. 

Beginning Floral Design and Certification Overview Workshop:  1:15pm – 4:30pm
Workshop Fee:  $25   
 
Beginning Floral will offer floral high school teachers a detailed overview of the High School Floral Design Certification program.  They will present criteria, areas of emphasis, test format and examples of designs with a question and answer session. The hands-on portion will include designing of a corsage and pre-made sample designs of possible arrangements your students will be tested on.  The discussion will include the Certification criteria for your student’s successful completion of entry-level requirements of written and hands-on design for basic flower shop operation.  The fee includes floral design handouts and the flowers for the hands-on portion of the workshop.  Please bring your own knives and wire cutters if possible.

NEW TEACHER WORKSHOP:  8:00am – 1:00pm  
Workshop Fee:  $ 0 – Please pre-register. 

This workshop is designed to give valuable information to first and second year teachers.  Discussion will include agricultural science teacher and administrative perspectives and include roundtable discussion of pertinent topics.  Lunch is provided for those in attendance the entire morning and invited participants. 

ServSafe Instructor Certification: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Workshop Fee:  $ 150 includes textbook mailed in advance, instructor fees and box lunch

The Certified ServSafe program teaches Food Safety Manager training courses to qualified participants that need the highest standard of food safety training and certification. Managers need to know food safety and the critical importance of its role.  ServSafe Certification gives them the knowledge and tools to do just that.  The ServSafe Program has evolved to meet the most urgent food safety training challenges in our industry and is engaging for greater comprehension and better application.  The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-Conference for Food Protection (CFP).  For more information, please visit /www.servsafe.com as well as download the document at the bottom of this page.  A minimum of 10 teachers is required to conduct this workshop.  If 10 teachers are not registered before June 1st, you will be notified of the workshop cancellation. 

Archery in the Schools Program Instructor Training: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Workshop Fee:  $15 includes box lunch

The Archery in the Schools program through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department promotes student education and participation in the shooting sports. The program’s focus is to provide International-style target archery training in 4th-12th grade. The Texas - National Archery in the Schools Program (TASP) is the Texas State affiliate of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) adopted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.   Participating teachers need to attend an 8 hour NASP Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) training course to become a certified archery instructor. Please check the Web site to make sure that your school meets the requirements for a NASP program.  After staff has been certified in NASP, they may order NASP equipment and start teaching students.  For more information, go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/archery/nasp_texas/index.phtml.