Training Trainers

Keeping Maryland’s schools and students safe is a multifaceted, ongoing process for the Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS). One of MCSS’s roles is to train school resource officers (SROs), school security employees (SSEs), school administrators, and school personnel. In order to train Maryland law enforcement officers, instructors must be certified by the Maryland Police Training Commission. As such, MCSS now offers a Basic Instructor-Training for Trainers (T4T) class to the instructors who train SROs. 

MCSS’s 2022 revised SRO training is delivered in a hybrid format. Therefore, Michael Rudinski, Regional Training/Certification Specialist for MCSS, included a  Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) module to the course. VILT is especially useful in learning the technology, physiology and psychology of the hybrid training environment. Instructing is not only about interaction and balance, but highlighting the needs of the learner at a given time; especially in the virtual environment.

The MCSS led T4T course teaches the mechanics of presenting and engaging audiences; even on tough topics. Participants learn effective facilitating, reflective listening, content and lesson plan development. But most importantly, it provides participants with insight in developing effective, engaging learner-centered classrooms for all ages and learning styles.                 

The week-long T4T program teaches current and future instructors the intricacies of communication and presentation skills in their areas of expertise. Mr. Rudinski says by teaching these training skills, we are “getting subject matter experts (SMEs) ready to teach the MCSS SRO and SSE training and become better presenters.” 

Courtnay Hatcher, a School Psychologist who specializes in understanding students with Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences, (ACEs) was a student in the most recent T4T class. Ms. Hatcher said, “We need this training, which is not taught anywhere else. I believe in this work, because I have seen officers improve on their interactions with students.” Ms. Hatcher added this class teaches the minimum requirements to set standards in supporting and protecting our students. 

Along with Ms. Hatcher, 18 other SMEs received their T4T certification. These students are experts in emergency planning, restorative practices, intellectual and developmental disabilities, forensic nursing, and school psychology. Additionally, police officers, including SRO, patrol officers, and detectives from several counties also received certification.

After passing this course offered by MCSS, participants will be certified to train police officers and will serve as better presenters, facilitators and instructors. 

Topics covered in the course include:

• Virtual Instructor Led Training;
• Role of the Instructor;
• Communications and Presentation Skills;
• Impromptu Presentation;
• Principles of Adult Learning;
• Classroom Management and Facilitation;
• Evaluation, Testing and Assessments;
• Learning Styles, Types of Learners; and 
• Methods of Teaching

The T4T class is critical in MCSS’s multidisciplinary approach in how we educate safety professionals and in keeping Maryland’s school communities safe.

James Hott, Regional Training and Certification Specialist for MCSS, who regularly teaches D.A.R.E. programming to 5th grade students.

Additional MCSS T4T instructors included:

• Sandra Caldwell, School Safety Analyst for MCSS, a former teacher and safety expert who presents on learning styles and types of learners.
• Dawn Luedtke, Assistant Attorney General and Counsel to MCSS presented on training liability.

Mr. Rudinski says, “I’m very proud of this class, I couldn’t ask for better instructors to teach with me.”