Outbacker
Member
This was an EXCELLENT thread, gentlemen! I learned a lot about a subject which I knew next to nothing about.
Becoming an instructor
- Thread starter Edmond
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That reminds me of my former guitar teacher. Notice I say former!
The guy was an excellent player but a crappy teacher. For instance, I wanted to learn a solo to the song and he said, "Well, that's a hard solo to learn so we should wait on it." I quit by the next week and started learning on my own. No instructor should ever discourage a student like that. But he didn't discourage me, he just encouraged me to learn on my own.
One thing that teachers need is patience. I think I'm a pretty patient guy!
chutestrate
Member
I want to become an instructor also, but I found out a couple things I'll share with you. First the NRA resources are a joke. I think you found out their resources are so out of date that they should take the information about becoming an instructor off the web. Second, I talked with a shop owner here, and he asked why I wanted to become an instructor. He couldn't see the advantages for an individual without a business reason. You should carry insurance if you are going to teach he said, and that can get expensive.
None of this was said to discourage you, but it was a different perspective that I hadn't thought of. Good luck
None of this was said to discourage you, but it was a different perspective that I hadn't thought of. Good luck
iamkris
Member
Edmond -- what TC did you hook up with? I'm up in Libertyville and my TC (Tom Yackley) held classes earlier this year to certify me as a NRA rifle instructor. He's located in Oswego.
I'm interested in getting my pistol certification next. I'll be teaching Boy Scouts, a group of "mom's" on our block who (after my wife told them what I did at one of their "girl's night out" events) all want to learn to shoot. Other than that, I'll host classes at my club up in Bristol WI.
Shoot me a PM if you want any other info from a fellow IL instructor.
chutestrate -- all the things you said are true. Some of us, though, see the rapid decline of shooters and the demonization of anything having to do with guns -- especially in urban areas. The only way to stop that is to get more people interesting in shooting in a safe responsible manner. That, to me, is worth a little trouble like making better training aids and carrying insurance. Most instructors I know LOSE money doing it...but they are doing it for the future of the sport.
I'm interested in getting my pistol certification next. I'll be teaching Boy Scouts, a group of "mom's" on our block who (after my wife told them what I did at one of their "girl's night out" events) all want to learn to shoot. Other than that, I'll host classes at my club up in Bristol WI.
Shoot me a PM if you want any other info from a fellow IL instructor.
chutestrate -- all the things you said are true. Some of us, though, see the rapid decline of shooters and the demonization of anything having to do with guns -- especially in urban areas. The only way to stop that is to get more people interesting in shooting in a safe responsible manner. That, to me, is worth a little trouble like making better training aids and carrying insurance. Most instructors I know LOSE money doing it...but they are doing it for the future of the sport.
Yeah, tell me about it. The website is pretty outdated. I actually called an instructor and asked him if he offered the instructor course. He said that he didn't but gave me the website and name to his instructor who did offer the instructor course. I called the man up, talked to him and hopefully will make it out there on Sunday if I don't get called into work.
I didn't take it as discouraging so no harm done!
Jim Diver
Member
The NRA courses are quite a bit out of date. They have their own safety rules that do not jive with the rest of the firearms training community. Silhouette targets are NOT permitted even in the personal protection inside the home class. (Its what happens when you let lawyers have the final say over the course content.)
They are working on a personal protection class outside the home, but are having real problems deciding on a holster presentation technique.
If you do teach the NRA course, I would suggest that you team up with other instructors in the area and team teach. Teaching a 10 hour class all by your lonesome is VERY draining. Being drained is not good when you get to the live fire part of the class.
One thing you can do is contact Jim Crews at http://www.marksmans.com . I took an advanced handgun instructional class from him and it really helped with my diagnostics skills. He will teach you how to become the best instructor you can be.
As for the insurance cost issue, the NRA has a reasonably priced insurance policy for instructors. It is well worth it.
If you still want to become an instructor, let me know where you live and your email address (in a PM) and I will send a TC your information.
If you live in the SF bay area and want to get started in teaching, let me know. We are always looking for new instructors to help out!
They are working on a personal protection class outside the home, but are having real problems deciding on a holster presentation technique.
If you do teach the NRA course, I would suggest that you team up with other instructors in the area and team teach. Teaching a 10 hour class all by your lonesome is VERY draining. Being drained is not good when you get to the live fire part of the class.
One thing you can do is contact Jim Crews at http://www.marksmans.com . I took an advanced handgun instructional class from him and it really helped with my diagnostics skills. He will teach you how to become the best instructor you can be.
As for the insurance cost issue, the NRA has a reasonably priced insurance policy for instructors. It is well worth it.
If you still want to become an instructor, let me know where you live and your email address (in a PM) and I will send a TC your information.
If you live in the SF bay area and want to get started in teaching, let me know. We are always looking for new instructors to help out!
The insurance is not a big deal, esp if you are a "not for profit" instructor.
Honestly if I had someone call me up and tell me he wanted to learn how to shoot pistol I would not use the NRA syllabus as written. It has many good things about it but pieces of it are totally irrelevant for most people (single-action revolvers for example) and their explanation of shooting one-handed seems to me to belong in a history book. I would pick through the syllabus and use what was good, change what needed to be, and omit what was unsalavageable. I couldnt call it an NRA course but thats another issue.
Honestly if I had someone call me up and tell me he wanted to learn how to shoot pistol I would not use the NRA syllabus as written. It has many good things about it but pieces of it are totally irrelevant for most people (single-action revolvers for example) and their explanation of shooting one-handed seems to me to belong in a history book. I would pick through the syllabus and use what was good, change what needed to be, and omit what was unsalavageable. I couldnt call it an NRA course but thats another issue.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Edmond - good for you.
I eventually - even tho late in the day - did my instructor's course almost a year ago - did the whole five categories. I mostly use the Basic Pistol from a coaching POV ... probably the most popular but - a ways ahead we plan a personal Protection course as a follow-up for many who are interested - from the Basic Courses.
I will say - and you may realize this. The cost is significant - and I have yet to claw back much return at all. IIRC I Paid about $300 and then I had gas money and 3 over night stops - due to the distance away - my course was nr Pittsburg so impractical to drive back every time. Total cost perhaps $500.
Well worth it tho - I feel that it is a small way I can ''give back'' and help encourage new blood ... I may be ancient but - it is at least something extra I can do for our ''cause''
Very best of luck to you.
I eventually - even tho late in the day - did my instructor's course almost a year ago - did the whole five categories. I mostly use the Basic Pistol from a coaching POV ... probably the most popular but - a ways ahead we plan a personal Protection course as a follow-up for many who are interested - from the Basic Courses.
I will say - and you may realize this. The cost is significant - and I have yet to claw back much return at all. IIRC I Paid about $300 and then I had gas money and 3 over night stops - due to the distance away - my course was nr Pittsburg so impractical to drive back every time. Total cost perhaps $500.
Well worth it tho - I feel that it is a small way I can ''give back'' and help encourage new blood ... I may be ancient but - it is at least something extra I can do for our ''cause''
Very best of luck to you.
YammyMonkey
Member
I've been very interested in becoming an instructor for personal as well as potentially professional reasons.
That said, anybody know of a TC in the Denver/Boulder, Colo Springs/Pueblo, or Grand Junction/Rifle/Glenwood Springs areas?
That said, anybody know of a TC in the Denver/Boulder, Colo Springs/Pueblo, or Grand Junction/Rifle/Glenwood Springs areas?
Chris,
It looks like mine will come out in the $250 area because it's a 45 minute drive from me. I also have to factor in the cost of ammo and gas, etc...
I'm looking forward to it and hopefully, I'll give you guys an update on Sunday.
It looks like mine will come out in the $250 area because it's a 45 minute drive from me. I also have to factor in the cost of ammo and gas, etc...
I'm looking forward to it and hopefully, I'll give you guys an update on Sunday.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Sounds good then - is that for ''all five''?
If you can - do em all ... tho rifle and shotgun probably not gonna be used a whole lot. The Range Safety Officer is worth doing I reckon and then of course Basic Pistol and Personal Protection sorta ''go together''.
Yeah - let us know how you get on.
If you can - do em all ... tho rifle and shotgun probably not gonna be used a whole lot. The Range Safety Officer is worth doing I reckon and then of course Basic Pistol and Personal Protection sorta ''go together''.
Yeah - let us know how you get on.
target4fun
Member
I am certified in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, RSO, Home Protection and Personal Protection. Threw Student for the 2nd amentment, I got sponsored to get all my NRA classes for free... and I also teach for free with student for the 2nd amendment, last year in south texas we introduced 3200 kids to the safe enjoyment of the shooting sports. Any one in the orginization let me know we are in 23 states at the moment you dont have to be a student to help teach! Teach the class schools dont FREEDOM!
Jim Diver
Member
Range safety officer can be taken via the mail once you have your instructor rating. After you have your RSO rating, you can take a Chief RSO class and then train others to be RSOs.
Greybeard
Member
NRA Training Department: 703-267-1430 (copied and pasted from prior post) is likely most expedicious start.
IIRC, my NRA instructor certifications (all except shotgun) involved two or three long weekends over a one to two year period at course-only costs in the range of $150 to $200 per weekend. RSO certification obtained a few years later via "home study" at a somewhat lesser cost.
Of the NRA courses, in light of most folk's time restraints, the one I've found most practical are the "First Steps" orientations. While TX DPS obviously utilized portions of NRA lesson plans and terminology, they have their own required lesson plan for CHL courses, so the full length NRA Basic Pistol and Personal Protection courses get little or no application around our place.
IIRC, my NRA instructor certifications (all except shotgun) involved two or three long weekends over a one to two year period at course-only costs in the range of $150 to $200 per weekend. RSO certification obtained a few years later via "home study" at a somewhat lesser cost.
Of the NRA courses, in light of most folk's time restraints, the one I've found most practical are the "First Steps" orientations. While TX DPS obviously utilized portions of NRA lesson plans and terminology, they have their own required lesson plan for CHL courses, so the full length NRA Basic Pistol and Personal Protection courses get little or no application around our place.
Jim Diver
Member
Just call the nra training dept. they have the info.
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