How many of you take "Continuing Education" as an instructor?

A

AZSDFT

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What I'm looking to talk about, is whether you take classes in general firearms use / skill / knowledge, as instructors. Also, do you tell the instructor of that class at all that you are already an instructor? As an NRA Instructor, there is basically only one level that you can achieve, but I feel that continued TRAINING, versus just constant PRACTICE on your own is a good thing.
 
Continuing education is always a good thing. Something as simple as compairing notes with other instructors can be considered Continued education and very useful. Bull sessions are a great way to pick up tid-bits of info.
 
i'd like to take more krav magna scenario training classes wished they were closer to my area and less expensive though
 
"Sometimes a teacher, always a student." There are too many instructors who never receive further instruction past their minimum required to teach. Then there are the instructors who continue to take the same classes from the same schools/instructors repeatedly. IMO they're cheating both their students and themselves. I take several classes a year from different instructors in different skill sets. I never identify myself as an instructor, although sometimes it is known. I follow the instructor's directions and take from the classes what is useful to me and for my students.
 
Grizzer, I totally agree with your mindset. I am both a LE and civilian instructor and I try to attend as many courses with as many instructors as I can. I have found on the LE side as a instructor I get to shoot less often than my guys, so I seek out trainers to learn new skills to continue to improve as both a shooter and instructor. If you ever get to a point where you think you can no longer learn, then quit teaching as you will be no use to your students.
 
I have been an instructor for five years, and go to some kind of continuing education course each year. My rule of thumb when taking a continuing education course to call the company I am looking at taking a course from and let them know my intentions. While some instructors feel threatened by another instructor coming to their class, I have found others to be very receptive. When doing this, expect to have the company you are going to take a course from to have you sign a non-compete agreement.
 
I agree with Grizzer. Even though I am an instructor there is always more I can learn. And I usually don't mention that I am an instructor when I go to extra classes. Which I try to do at least once a year. More if I can fit in the schedule.
 
AZSDFT said:
What I'm looking to talk about, is whether you take classes in general firearms use / skill / knowledge, as instructors. Also, do you tell the instructor of that class at all that you are already an instructor? As an NRA Instructor, there is basically only one level that you can achieve, but I feel that continued TRAINING, versus just constant PRACTICE on your own is a good thing.
Click to expand...

I attend training whenever time and money permit. I've been lucky this year. :)

Sam
 
I try to attend at least one class each year. I try to pick classes that are new to me as well as instructors that are new to me. As has been said, you can learn from anyone in any type of class, but the better classes are, well, better.

So as not to hijack this thread, I will look to see if there is an existing thread on recommendations for classes and instructors, if not I will start one. Perhaps we can help each other not to spend our money needlessly.
 
I try to attend 80 hours of outside training a year. Sometimes its even good to do few re- takes. I recently took the NRA police handgun instructor again after 15 years. It keeps you fresh and it hold weight in court. Also lends to your credibility as an instuctor. I understand the cost factor ( father of 5 here). May I make a suggestion? Get with a group of instructors such as the folks here in your area. Form a training "team". Each come up with a topic, create lesson plans and teach it to each other. Is that not outside traininig and continuing education? Good luck!
 
Absolutely! I am very fortunate with the training opportunities that have been afforded me by the agency I was with. They subscribed to the theory of "train an officer and you get one officer trained. Train an instructor and you get a whole agency trained!"
 
Rick Benn said:
Absolutely! I am very fortunate with the training opportunities that have been afforded me by the agency I was with. They subscribed to the theory of "train an officer and you get one officer trained. Train an instructor and you get a whole agency trained!"
Click to expand...

Yes, but do you still continue to take classes? No offense intended, but I know plenty of LEOs, officers and instructors, who will go to training if their agency pays for it.
 
I have become disabled since I became an NRA instructor and would love to continue my firearms education. However, I cannot get to classes and instructors simply want too much money to come to the house and give private instruction. It is also major chore for me to get to the range and keep my skills honed.
 
I have been an instructor for the past decade teaching both law enforcement and civilians. I personally feel that the day you feel like you know everything is the day you need to quit, because you have become close minded and will only get yourself into trouble. When time and money fall into place I am always looking for continuing education. I love going to different instructors, because you can always learn something new. In addition to training, I believe in keeping up on things through related magazine articles and such, one of the reasons I joined this site. If you are not continually trying to learn then you are cheating both yourself and your students. In addition to training I believe regular practice is also a must.

Jake
 
One thing that I have found useful for the LE community is firearms organization within the state. In Georgia ours in GALEFI and they offer training throughout the year that is useful, relavent, up-to-date and cost effective. I went to the annual training conference this year and got to train with firearms instructors from across that state and Rob Pincus. The best part was the cost of the entire conference was $65. We are all looking for ways to get cost effective quality training to better ourselves which in turns betters those we have the honor to train.
 
Continuous Training is a must, improving the way you teach, learning others way of teaching can only improve your students experience with you. Check out IALEFI-very reasonably priced Regional Training Events throughout the country. Associate Membership permitted for firearms instructors.

IALEFI IALEFI

We host a Regional Training Conference every year at our facility in Cortland, NY Check out Video from this years event on our pageIpi-Verdad Investigations and Protection, Inc | Facebook
 
I subscribe to the theory that you can never have enough training. I take classes whenever I can at least twice a year.
I do not always tell them that I am an instructor because I want to see;
1. How they train others
2. Any tips I might learn from their teaching technique
3. I don't want them to assume I know something and miss the point of what I'm receiving training for.
 
To maintain my NRA LE certs, I have a mandatory 24-hour “Continuing Education” requirement related to either firearms training or instructor development training any time during the three-year certification period that is expiring. I think that is a great idea to keep fresh and current. Some of my other certs don't have any continuing education requirement. I plan on taking a patrol rifle instructor class next year.
 
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