Training and Teaching

[jyates]

Hi all. I am new to the forum but I want to put something out for discussion. I am looking at the opportunity of going to some of the leading training centers (Gunsite, Thunder Ranch, etc) for training in self defense and proper shooting techniques. In short, I want to be trained properly, but I would like to graduate from that at some point to teaching individuals BASIC defense, awareness, shooting technique etc. I would not even think of teaching until I was trained to a high level myself. I just feel very strongly about self defense and would like to educate others, at some point. Anyone been down this road themselves? Thanks in advance. Love the forums.

[fightingquaker13]

Welcome and I commend your desire to teach. As a teacher (not fire arms) I will give some advice. Knowing and teaching are two different skill sets. Just saying "look what I know/can do, do it just like that" will get you no where. Those who say "those who can do, those who can't teach" are idiots.
I would suggest two things. First, when you pay your money for top quality training, don't focus on what you are being taught so much as HOW you are being taught. You should be looking at how the instructors deal with the other students, their styles, the minutia of how they correct grips and stances, how often they demonstrate, the type of visual aids used, the pace and cadence of lectures, safety practices and all the rest of it. Obviously, this will mean sacrificing some of your own training as if you're busy watching all of that, you'll not be paying as much attention to your own stuff as you would prefer,. But you'll still be learning, you're just learning a different skill. I'd also take, or sit in if you can, on several basic classes of the type you wish to teach with different instructors. Here, you want to watch the studens. Judge their reactions, see what seems to work or not work. Talk to them afterwards if you can. As I said, teaching is a craft and you have to learn how to adapt it to your audience. Ok, long post over. Good luck agin.
FQ13

[jyates]

Thanks for your input FQ. You bring a good point of the fine points of teaching versus "knowing the content" and being able to teach effectively. I like the Thunder Ranch videos Clint Smith does. He is a good example of your point. He delivers the content smoothly and keeps you engaged with humor interspersed throughout.

[tombogan03884]

I, as usual, am going to dis agree with FQ to a certain extent.
If you are laying out the kind of money to get top notch training, learn what's being taught.
You can look at the video's to see the teaching technique. For "one on one" interaction, see how your own questions are handled.
Neither FQ or I are trainers, we are expressing our opinions as students.
Some of the other members, who ARE trainers, will have advice based on experience.

[2HOW]

You may want to check out NRAs classes on teaching. Of course your proficiency will be judged, but you will be certified to teach for many different classes. Good luck .

[Sponsor]

[PegLeg45]

I agree that the NRA Instructor classes would be a good place to start..... in order to lay a solid foundation for building other specific training.


http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/instructor.asp

[m25operator]

Welcome Jyates, to the forum, to teach, you need to know your material, but not necessarily be an athlete with a gun, case in point, when I was in high school, I was on the track team and ran the 2 mile run, I could do that in under 11 minutes, now I am 200 lbs and 52 yrs old, so I cannot run that fast any more, but I know how, and my coaches at that time could not run that fast, but they knew what I needed to do for practice, to achieve their goals, and mine. Does it help, yes to a point, you need to know the material enough to translate it to someone else, have people skills, patience and unfortunately Good insurance. Definitely have a lesson plan, with good visuals to help out, stick to the plan, and work it, as it goes along, questions will come up that you don't have immediate answers for, that's the cool part about teaching, you will be learning the whole way, questions will be asked that no matter how seasoned you are, will make you write down and think, well? what if?

I have taught and been trained, I have seen lots of approaches, it is a very fulfilling thing to do, but what level do want to achieve?

I look forward to all the moderators comments.

[fightingquaker13]

To follow up on M25 Operators comments I'll say this. You want to sort out a good teacher from a bad one? Here's how. Ask them both a question they don't know the answer to. The bad teacher will either BS or try to intimidate the questioner. The good teacher, the one worth his salary, will simply say "I don't know, but I'll get back to you", and he'll do it. Rule one for teaching well? Check your ego at the door. Convey what you know, research what you don't, and never, ever pretend to know more than you do or you'll fail, as your students will pick up on this in a heart beat.
FQ13

[Michael Janich]

One of the negative aspects of the martial arts--and the shooting world as well--is that too many people equate physical proficiency with teaching ability. Teaching is a LOT more than just demonstrating and explaining. A good teacher must have the ability to organize information into a logical sequence, gauge the reactions and understanding of his students, and overcome learning blocks in ways that are appropriate to the students' learning patterns.

That's why in Martial Blade Concepts, I test aspiring instructors for proficiency first to validate their skills. I then teach them how to teach others. Some get it; some never do. The ones that don't do not get certified as instructors.

Learn as much as you can and become proficient first. Worry about teaching later.

Stay safe,

Mike

[tombogan03884]

One of the negative aspects of the martial arts--and the shooting world as well--is that too many people equate physical proficiency with teaching ability. Teaching is a LOT more than just demonstrating and explaining. A good teacher must have the ability to organize information into a logical sequence, gauge the reactions and understanding of his students, and overcome learning blocks in ways that are appropriate to the students' learning patterns.

That's why in Martial Blade Concepts, I test aspiring instructors for proficiency first to validate their skills. I then teach them how to teach others. Some get it; some never do. The ones that don't do not get certified as instructors.

Learn as much as you can and become proficient first. Worry about teaching later.

Stay safe,

Mike

And that is why I will never waste my money on an "Instructor course".
Like Eastward said, "A man's got to know his limitations".