The IST course provides individuals with an overview of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to deliver effective training, presentations, meetings, and information. The course is activity-based, participant-driven, and consists largely of facilitated discussions and activities in both small and large group settings.
Find the agenda here.
As a major focus, the course requires participants to practice the following skills that are essential for successful delivery of training:
- Demonstration: Physically showing how something is used or done
- Facilitation: Leading or orchestrating group activities or interaction to reach consensus, gain knowledge, or achieve a goal.
- Presentation: Disseminating information verbally and/or visually.
Learners will be asked to complete the following pre-course and in-class work:
- Completion of pre-course assessment (multiple choice and true or false questions based on course content)
- Assigned a PowerPoint presentation from a list of several AFDO-provided presentations.
- Using the provided PPT presentation (including the embedded notes), prepare a 10-minute presentation to be delivered during the first day of the IST course.
Learners will also need to rework their assigned PowerPoint presentation after the second day of class to present an improved 10-minute presentation during the third half-day of class.
Regulatory and industry professionals involved in training, presenting, or speaking at meetings or conferences
2 ½ days ending at noon on the last day
All attendees will earn CEU credits during this training!
Jennifer Hardy-Tindle
AFDO
Jennifer Hardy-Tindle is the Training Director for AFDO. Her learning and development career has spanned 27 years including a Fortune 50 company working in the food safety industry. Hardy-Tindle's wealth of experience includes instructional design, coaching, performance consulting, project management, and facilitating. She is a certified coach and a licensed facilitator of Myers-Briggs, DISC, and Crucial Conversations. At AFDO, she currently facilitates the Instructional Skills Training course and personal development focused courses and sessions.
Cathy Hosman serves as the Funding Programs Director at the Association of Food and Drug Officials, overseeing subaward grant programs. She is an instructor for Instructor Skills Training and Process Improvement. Prior to joining AFDO, she was a project manager at the Food and Drug Administration, focusing on the Retail Program Standards, and also worked as a Quality Manager in the New England District Office. She holds a BS in Business from Salem State University and multiple certifications from the American Society for Quality.
Brenda Morris is the Produce Safety Director at the Association of Food and Drug Officials supporting food regulatory produce safety programs and developing and leading training in produce safety, retail and manufactured food safety, leadership, and instructor skills training. She has more than 10 years food inspection experience in three states, and more than 10 years as Bureau Chief and Assistant Director for retail and manufactured food programs at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Morris served as the AFDOSS President and AFDO Vice President.
Randy Young is an experienced instructional designer and certified instructor with more than 10 years of experience designing and delivering regulatory food safety training. He specializes in translating complex food safety concepts into clear, engaging, and practical learning experiences for adult learners. Young is certified to teach the Instructor Skills Training curriculum and has helped onboard and mentor instructors across multiple food protection programs. His approach emphasizes learner-centered instruction, active engagement, and real-world application to strengthen regulatory performance within the Integrated Food Safety System.
