TexasCHLforum.com

TxKimberMan wrote:This seems to be a recurring topic, and as such is a little troubling. My personal CHL class experience was not one I would recommend to anyone.

something else that's at least a little troubling... one student asked our CHL instructor what you have to do to become a licensed instructor. he told us about the state-mandated training (36 hours or something like that?) but he pointed out that you don't have to prove that you're actually capable of teaching anything.

Charles L. Cotton wrote:What part of the State do you call home? You may want to think about coming to one of the Texas Self-Defense & Deadly Force Laws Seminars that will be offered around the State. That won't cover everything in the CHL course, but it will be a thorough discussion of the use of force under Texas law.
Chas.

I live in Katy and would be willing to attend the seminar. Would prefer somewhere in the Houston area of course but I believe the more knowledge the better so I would travel to attend.

Bob

Charles L. Cotton wrote:

Kirk wrote:Got all my paperwork & class done and will mail it off tomorrow.

After spending all day in class it didn't seem like much was taught or communicated to us. After the class I thought what the heck. A few clip about the BG carjacking or robbing which I all ready knew. Are are the classes taught this way?

I realize its up to the CHL holder to decide when and if it warrants pulling and possibly shooting . Shouldn't some of the laws be explained in English? All we got was the lawyer babble (no offense meant ). I have learned more from this forum than class.

What part of the State do you call home? You may want to think about coming to one of the Texas Self-Defense & Deadly Force Laws Seminars that will be offered around the State. That won't cover everything in the CHL course, but it will be a thorough discussion of the use of force under Texas law.

Chas.

I was disappointed to be unable to attend the recent one in Dallas (I'm down in Austin). I'd LOVE to come to one! Are others scheduled at this time.

Regards

I had a great experience with my class. It was informative, realistic, and even a bit sobering. I would recommend my instructors any day.

I took mine at the Bass Pro Shop in Pearland. http://www.pearlandchl.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Kirk wrote:

Charles L. Cotton wrote:What part of the State do you call home? You may want to think about coming to one of the Texas Self-Defense & Deadly Force Laws Seminars that will be offered around the State. That won't cover everything in the CHL course, but it will be a thorough discussion of the use of force under Texas law.
Chas.

I live in Katy and would be willing to attend the seminar. Would prefer somewhere in the Houston area of course but I believe the more knowledge the better so I would travel to attend.

Bob

MostlyHarmless wrote:
I was disappointed to be unable to attend the recent one in Dallas (I'm down in Austin). I'd LOVE to come to one! Are others scheduled at this time.

Regards

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rmr1923 wrote:

TxKimberMan wrote:This seems to be a recurring topic, and as such is a little troubling. My personal CHL class experience was not one I would recommend to anyone.

something else that's at least a little troubling... one student asked our CHL instructor what you have to do to become a licensed instructor. he told us about the state-mandated training (36 hours or something like that?) but he pointed out that you don't have to prove that you're actually capable of teaching anything.

Similar discussion on teaching qualifications going on here .

MostlyHarmless wrote:

Charles L. Cotton wrote:

Kirk wrote:Got all my paperwork & class done and will mail it off tomorrow.

After spending all day in class it didn't seem like much was taught or communicated to us. After the class I thought what the heck. A few clip about the BG carjacking or robbing which I all ready knew. Are are the classes taught this way?

I realize its up to the CHL holder to decide when and if it warrants pulling and possibly shooting . Shouldn't some of the laws be explained in English? All we got was the lawyer babble (no offense meant ). I have learned more from this forum than class.

What part of the State do you call home? You may want to think about coming to one of the Texas Self-Defense & Deadly Force Laws Seminars that will be offered around the State. That won't cover everything in the CHL course, but it will be a thorough discussion of the use of force under Texas law.

Chas.

We're working on one in the Austin/San Antonio area.

Chas.



I was disappointed to be unable to attend the recent one in Dallas (I'm down in Austin). I'd LOVE to come to one! Are others scheduled at this time.

Regards

We're working on one in the Austin/San Antonio area.

Chas.

I had a similar "bad class" experience. I probably could have nearly aced the test just from what I learned from this forum rather than what was "taught" in class.
We did spend a lot of time watching old VHS videos of the instructors "other" job and a lot of time going down unnecessary rabbit trails that did not pertain to CHL and CHL laws.

We even got our certificates before we actually took the proficiency test because the instructor did not know the hours of the range and when we arrived they were about to close. Myself and my buddy that took the class with me demanded that he meet us at the range the next day to take the proficiency test. I wonder if the other 18 or so folks ever took theirs.

My class was great. Taught by a former US Army Special Forces Command Sergeant Major who now runs a martial arts school. He knew what he was talking about and did it in a way that was engaging.

Other instructors.... When you see a post like this, do you immediately scour the post for details hoping you don't recognize it as one of your students? Even when we do a good job, there's always that chance that someone didn't like the class but didn't say anything to you. I'm just glad I haven't recognized anyone yet.

I'm not sure how I felt about my class. The instructor was really good on teaching the chapter on deadly force but that was his main thing. He never really taught anything about trying to de-escalate any situation. It was more on c.y.a. to be able to shoot some one and that was what we spent most the time on. We went to the range and he never really discussed how to aim for those who didnt know . I was kind of surprised. My first instructor was a gentleman named Donnie who owns North Texas Handgun Academy. He was great! I wish I would have used him again. The only reason I didnt was the other guy I used had a schedule and time slot available to accommodate the 4 other people who I took with me.

I have heard from other folks that their instructor put in tapes/dvds and came in to change the sections. Being a bit on the "attention challenged" side, I would have been lost after the first video, much less 10 hours later. MAR (hubby and I) were blessed with an amazing and engaging class. Our instructors encourage class participation in the instruction, and while they covered all the "necessary" info, there was stuff covered that was just as important to those of us new to this lifestyle. We couldn't have been more pleased in my opinion. We have recommended them to anyone that is considering.

CompVest and SRVA presented an awesome class in my and MAR's opinion.

MasterOfNone wrote:Other instructors.... When you see a post like this, do you immediately scour the post for details hoping you don't recognize it as one of your students? Even when we do a good job, there's always that chance that someone didn't like the class but didn't say anything to you. I'm just glad I haven't recognized anyone yet.

I request reviews from each of my students because bad instructors were the reason that I decided to become one. Not to say that it isn't possible for a student to slip through the cracks, but my goal with each class to to prevent bad experiences for each person individually.

There are a lot of instructors; most do a decent job, some are outstanding, and a few are inadequate. I have personally experience three different instructors, two were inadequate, but Crossfire did a phenomenal job. I frequently recommend Linda and Marty to others.

All of that being said, I tell each class that I can teach them for ten hours, but their ability to recall the information will decrease as time passes. Stressing "continuing education" is a big foundation of my course. Students have to take some responsibility beyond the CHL class - this forum is a perfect example and one the I encourage students to utilize. I also stress reviewing the CHL handbook, regularly shooting with their carry guns, shooting in local matches, etc. Having the best instructor in the state does not remove a responsibility that each of us has to continually improve ourselves.

That's just my take on it.

First I want to say "WOW", I have received several PM and all the comments have been great!!

KFP wrote:

MasterOfNone wrote:Other instructors.... When you see a post like this, do you immediately scour the post for details hoping you don't recognize it as one of your students? Even when we do a good job, there's always that chance that someone didn't like the class but didn't say anything to you. I'm just glad I haven't recognized anyone yet.

This is interesting since my instructor went over feedback several times but didn't ask for a review of the class. I have taught several courses in my job and have always ask what could be done better. I wasn't getting paid to talk to them, instead I was there for them to learn.

I request reviews from each of my students because bad instructors were the reason that I decided to become one. Not to say that it isn't possible for a student to slip through the cracks, but my goal with each class to to prevent bad experiences for each person individually.

There are a lot of instructors; most do a decent job, some are outstanding, and a few are inadequate. I have personally experience three different instructors, two were inadequate, but Crossfire did a phenomenal job. I frequently recommend Linda and Marty to others.

All of that being said, I tell each class that I can teach them for ten hours, but their ability to recall the information will decrease as time passes. Stressing "continuing education" is a big foundation of my course. Students have to take some responsibility beyond the CHL class - this forum is a perfect example and one the I encourage students to utilize. I also stress reviewing the CHL handbook, regularly shooting with their carry guns, shooting in local matches, etc. Having the best instructor in the state does not remove a responsibility that each of us has to continually improve ourselves.

That's just my take on it.

I really believe this and plan to learn as much as I can.

Thanks to all that have responded.

KFP wrote:

MasterOfNone wrote:Other instructors.... When you see a post like this, do you immediately scour the post for details hoping you don't recognize it as one of your students? Even when we do a good job, there's always that chance that someone didn't like the class but didn't say anything to you. I'm just glad I haven't recognized anyone yet.

I request reviews from each of my students because bad instructors were the reason that I decided to become one. Not to say that it isn't possible for a student to slip through the cracks, but my goal with each class to to prevent bad experiences for each person individually.

There are a lot of instructors; most do a decent job, some are outstanding, and a few are inadequate. I have personally experience three different instructors, two were inadequate, but Crossfire did a phenomenal job. I frequently recommend Linda and Marty to others.

All of that being said, I tell each class that I can teach them for ten hours, but their ability to recall the information will decrease as time passes. Stressing "continuing education" is a big foundation of my course. Students have to take some responsibility beyond the CHL class - this forum is a perfect example and one the I encourage students to utilize. I also stress reviewing the CHL handbook, regularly shooting with their carry guns, shooting in local matches, etc. Having the best instructor in the state does not remove a responsibility that each of us has to continually improve ourselves.

That's just my take on it.

Great stuff, KFP. I much prefer hearing about all the good instructors like yourself out there than the bad ones. I too was disappointed in some of my earlier CHL instructors. Not all of them, and not to a degree that warranted calling DPS or anything, but I feel I've learned more in this forum than in all three previous CHL classes I took.

I try to always remember what Sgt. Baumsch repeated over and over at Instructor certification class - "We are all like-minded people" and "It only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch." That idiot school teacher/CHL instructor in Houston just

I personally think any student who truly feels they were seriously short-changed should report the instructor to DPS, who WILL send an undercover officer to attend class as a regular student. This has nothing to do with me trying to "weed out the competition" or anything. It goes back to the "bad apple spoils the bunch" reasoning. The reputation of all of us CHL holders, instructors, gun owners in general is degraded by every media report of a "bad instructor" or a CHL holder who committs a crime. If we as a group can help DPS weed out the truly bad instructors, we only benefit ourselves and CHL and RKBA in the process.

Not sure where OP Kirk is located. But one thing I'm willing to do is let any current CHL (or someone in the "waiting room") sit in free of charge on any class I hold if they would like a refresher. I have a class this Saturday in Cedar Park (north of Austin) if anyone is interested. It won't be a very full class - so plenty of room for someone to just "audit" the class. Come and go as you like. Join the discussion, offer your personal experiences if you like. Not saying I'm the best (this will be only my second class), but I do try my best to be thorough and cover all relevant material extensively. If anything - as with many of my posts here - I'm too long-winded for my own good (never could master the art of "concise"communication that my journalism professors always preached).