Let Me Tell You Why - by Sharon Gander, CPT, M.Ed

Let me tell you why I’m a member of the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) and a Certified Performance Technologist (CPT). I started my career life as a special education teacher, added elementary education, education administration, technology, adult education, performance-based learning and knowledge management. Somewhere along the line someone encouraged me to attend a chapter meeting of ISPI. I was disillusioned by other professional organizations where the same old topics kept everyone else enthralled. I wanted something more-- innovation, creativity, change, results, measurement, process, results -- I quickly realized that I found a new family in ISPI with people who were fascinated by the same things that fascinated me.

Eons and several career changes later, someone nudged me toward the CPT – a very strong, insistent nudge. I didn’t want to do it. After looking at the requirements, I almost freaked! I couldn’t do this. Again, that nudge. This time it came with a name of someone who would help. With a little mentoring, I got motivated enough to complete the CPT application. Along the way as I answered questions on that application form, I discovered that Human Performance Technology (HPT) is what I had been doing since I started teaching --it was the thread that tied together all my side-trips.

Since then, I have gotten more involved in both ISPI and the CPT. ISPI is truly great people committed to making a difference, creating results, and building others ability to get better and better results. The CPT is such a strong tie that infuses HPT concepts and methodology to the point that ISPI members share a common language and experience. This is a real differentiator and one that can only be experienced by completing that CPT application, joining the CPT reviewers and getting involved in ISPI.