Are CHL Instructors team players?

[THAYWALLACESR]

Let me start off by saying to the moderators of this site... GREAT JOB. I like the work put into a professional site.

I'm a new Instructor and I went into this with excitement and passion. Nothing changed there. However, during the instructor course and after completion and joining this forum, I have notice something.

We all have to use the same material and most have a power point already. There are several Senior Instructors on here as well. when a new Instructor reaches out for help and guidance such as a power point that we could have to give us a good start there is no reply. No team work.

I'm not complaining. At the end of the day the responsibility is on me the instructor. I just wanted to put something in all of our thoughts. If we as instructors could help each other to ensure we are all assisting future CHL students get the same consistent training why don't we? And I don't see why DPS doesn't just give a copy of theirs? Maybe I'm missing something.

Is there fear that if we help each other it will take away something from us as an instructor?

My lesson learned... I'm building my power point. And I will help any new instructor that comes along and needs something to get started. I truly believe in teamwork.

Thought comments?

[Abraham]

THAYWALLACESR,

I'm a CHLer, not an instructor.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't instructors essentially businessmen in a niche market?

If so, why would others you're in competition with for business be obligated to be "team members" and help you with your business?

If I were selling my services in a relatively small market, I wouldn't feel helping the competition as "teamwork".

Certainly, if other instructors want to be selfless to help their fellow man, ok, but they shouldn't be 'guilted' into doing so...

[troglodyte]

My presentation is tailored to me and the way I teach and what type of class I have. As a professional educator one of the worst things I could every do was try to teach off of someone else's material. It never turned out well as I would either not prepare properly myself or I would struggle to stay in line with their presentation. Someone else may be able to do it but I don't do it well and it ends up being a hindrance. Even after modifying it often felt labored. I am thankful the DPS does not give us a required PowerPoint.

There also may be some concern over liability. While I cover the required material, my PowerPoint it may not reflect all of it. I use it more for an outline than covering every detail. I may have something in there that is not required but I find is a common question or belief that my students often have and feel the need to address it during the presentation. If you were to use my PowerPoint then there would be the concern that it did not contain the required material, has additional information, or just doesn't make sense to you.

There may also be a sense of not wanting someone else to have something that is ours and may be linked back to us in someway. Call it liability or just call it being cautious. The DPS audits us from time to time. They can see what I have and I can explain or defend if necessary. I don't have that option if someone else is using my material. Once it is out of my control I cannot decide how it is used or represented. It may be unfounded but I don't like that idea.

Lastly there is a little competition out here. I find when I talk to fellow instructors we tend to be very friendly and helpful but again, we aren't real interested in giving away our presentation or maybe a few other bits of our business that might give us a slight edge on the limited number of students. Call it business, call it paying your dues, or call it being stingy, I don't see why I should feel obliged to give away something that I have put the effort and time into.

[Mike S]

My presentation is tailored to me and the way I teach and what type of class I have. As a professional educator one of the worst things I could every do was try to teach off of someone else's material. It never turned out well as I would either not prepare properly myself or I would struggle to stay in line with their presentation. Someone else may be able to do it but I don't do it well and it ends up being a hindrance. Even after modifying it often felt labored. I am thankful the DPS does not give us a required PowerPoint.

There also may be some concern over liability. While I cover the required material, my PowerPoint it may not reflect all of it. I use it more for an outline than covering every detail. I may have something in there that is not required but I find is a common question or belief that my students often have and feel the need to address it during the presentation. If you were to use my PowerPoint then there would be the concern that it did not contain the required material, has additional information, or just doesn't make sense to you.

There may also be a sense of not wanting someone else to have something that is ours and may be linked back to us in someway. Call it liability or just call it being cautious. The DPS audits us from time to time. They can see what I have and I can explain or defend if necessary. I don't have that option if someone else is using my material. Once it is out of my control I cannot decide how it is used or represented. It may be unfounded but I don't like that idea.

Lastly there is a little competition out here. I find when I talk to fellow instructors we tend to be very friendly and helpful but again, we aren't real interested in giving away our presentation or maybe a few other bits of our business that might give us a slight edge on the limited number of students. Call it business, call it paying your dues, or call it being stingy, I don't see why I should feel obliged to give away something that I have put the effort and time into.

THAYWALLACESR,
I agree pretty much whole heatedly with all of the above response, perhaps with just a little less emphasis on the last paragraph. However, if you're in the Central Texas area I'm always willing to assist instructors, new or seasoned, with improving their craft. I'm of the opinion that the more effective we are as a whole, the better trained our citizens will be. I'm not much of a fan of the mass-produced NRA Instructor system (certainly not their intent, but a reality), which honestly in my mind produces mediocre Instructors capable of teaching the basics.

If you're interested & in the Austin area I'd be happy to meet with you in person and talk you through developing your Lesson Plan & Training Schedule, Power Point, business pro-forma budget, registration as an LLC with the Tx Secretary of State & getting your EIN from the IRS, the Adult Learning Process & time management, etc. I'll show you what my slides look like & why I organize my classes the way I do, but in the end you'll need to develop what works best for you, your teaching style, & your clientele.

Same offer goes to any other instructors out there.

Very respectfully,
Mike

[THAYWALLACESR]

Mike,

Great response. I unfortunately live in Brownsville. But I'm happy to see you understood my point.

Abraham,

I think you missed my point. my intention on the post wasn't to "guilt" anyone. As a new instructor I wanted some thoughts from other instructors in the field.

troglodyte,

That explanation makes complete sense. I can definitely see where there is liability and concern. As Im producing my Power Point I can see that making it fit to me would be better.

I hope not to have ruffled any feathers. Like I said... Wanted to get some other perspectives and that's what I got.

Thanks all.

JAY

[mojo84]

It depends on if you see your endeavor as a mission to promote the 2nd Amendment and gun rights or a primary/secondary business. Most folks in business are very guarded about what they share with their potential competitors.

[switch]

Many of us are willing to share our knowledge w/others. I am in DFW and I have audited other instructors courses and all are welcome to visit mine. :)

There are a couple of vendors that sell Power Point presentations. They were not around when I started. :(

[TomV]

I own my own small training business, but in a different field.

If you need design/layout/set up feedback I would be happy to help. As stated very well earlier, you need to create your own course.

Best wishes to you.

[dlh]

Powerpoint?....

We had an ole retired marine firearms instructor as our teacher. First rate class---no Powerpoint used.

dlh

[WildBill]

Powerpoint?....

We had an ole retired marine firearms instructor as our teacher. First rate class---no Powerpoint used.

dlh

Some people confuse PowerPoint with teaching.

[TomV]

I view power point as a very valuable teaching tool.

However, too many people insult their audience by just standing up there and reading the slides.
Other mistakes include: too much information on a slide, not enough contrast between text and background, and way too much animation.

[WildBill]

I view power point as a very valuable teaching tool.

However, too many people insult their audience by just standing up there and reading the slides.
Other mistakes include: too much information on a slide, not enough contrast between text and background, and way too much animation.

Powerpoint can be a good teaching aid for the instructor.
I already know how to read so I don't need someone to read to me.
Most of the canned templates supplied with this program are terrible.

[twomillenium]

Some people learn better by listening, some by visual and others by audio. Using a power point presentation that the instructor has developed himself adds to the reading and audio aspect of learning. Some instructors do well using power point and some do not do as well, in fact, some do poorly with. I would never tell someone if you use power point then you are not instructing or if you don't use power point you are not doing it right. When I see someone putting down someone else's way of instructing,(without experiencing their class), that makes me tend to believe that person is not confident in his own skill, there are many ways to do things right. The instructor must find what his/her strong points are and use them to their advantage and find their weak points and work to strengthen them. Whether or not an instructor uses power point, that instructor needs to format it to HIS lesson. Most importantly get feedback from your students and listen to the feedback.

I hear these unwarranted put downs too often. ( I too have been guilty) This is not intended to point anyone out but while we may be competitors in a way, we are also allies in wanting a unified, solid product.

[Charlies.Contingency]

I thought a "Power Point" was what you did you teach with conviction. "You! (Deploy the power point and acquire eye contact with a glare or serious look.)

All kidding aside. Many whom I have worked with over the years, do it as a part of a business, and guard their material meticulously, as they try to use their students reviews of the class as a selling point. Example: John said to Jane, "I just took my class with Instructor Schmo, and he had some great material, and I learned a lot."

Opposite example: Jane said to John, "Where should I take my chl class john?" John replied to Jane, "They all teach the same thing with the same material and it's all the same wherever you go. Just go to whoever has the cheapest price."

When you're in it for business, you want your product or services seeming better for whatever reason to make more money. Sorry it doesn't help, but money tends to affect things that way.

[o b juan]

I held my 1st class Sept 1995( Was somewhat nervous)
I had some public speaking experience at the MP School in 1959
I use the book no pictures or powerpoint each person has the book and discussion on each topic is important I think
Reading plus hearing is important

Power point is all right

it just does not fit my method