Attention NRA certified instructors

[Warners]

I'm looking for suggestions from those that are NRA certified instructors. I'm signed up for the Pistol and PPITH (Personal Protection in the Home) classes in November. My goal of course is to learn first, but also to put together a training program for first-time or inexperienced shooters. I'd like to hear from some folks that have done the same thing, with suggestions on how to get started, what things to do or avoid doing, how they run their classes, WHERE they run their classes.....stuff like that. I'm sure much of this will be covered in the NRA training, but I want to start thinking about the big picture now that I've comitted to the courses. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks much,

Warner

 

[ambidextrous1]

I took the PPITH and PPOTH courses in 2007, but after some reflection, decided not to go ahead with my training program, for two reasons: I became concerned about possible liability, and also found that people were not interested in paying a reasonable tuition for the information provided in those courses. Too many people think that a basic firearms course and their concealed permit is all they need.

I don't regret taking the courses; they supply a lot of good information; but even if you're the only qualified instructor for these courses in your area, I'd advise against 'quitting your day job' with the expectation of realizing a significant cash return for your effortd.

Then there's the issue of liability - and the cost of insuring yourself against lawsuits...

If you have the urge to teach, pick a subject that has no possibility of getting your students (and you) into very serious trouble.

 

[Warners]

Rich, thanks for the reply. I am certainly not wanting to "quit my day job" and support my family from money from training people. It would be nice to make a few bucks doing something that I love, though. Like you, I DO have some concerns about liability, and if I do end up running some classes, I will most certainly have insurance, and probably the insurance that the NRA offers, as it appears to be quite reasonable for what it is. Thanks again for taking the time to reply!

Warner

 

[mljdeckard]

I am an NRA certified instructor. I am an NRA member. But to be honest, I find the language used and political correctness (which are MANDATORY if you teach an NRA class,) to be infuriatingly redundant and simplistic.

Just understand that these courses are geared towards people who have NEVER dealt with this subject matter at all, ever. "This is a gun. The bullets come out here." THAT level. I found myself translating the lines into other languages in my head just to keep it interesting. I would teach an eight year-old with a higher level of language than they use in these courses.

Having said that, the NRA is pretty much where all certification flows from. if you want to have credentials and be 'certified' to anyone when you are trying to sell yourself as an instructor, this is probably what you are going to have to do.

 

[Warners]

I am an NRA certified instructor. I am an NRA member. But to be honest, I find the language used and political correctness (which are MANDATORY if you teach an NRA class,) to be infuriatingly redundant and simplistic.

Just understand that these courses are geared towards people who have NEVER dealt with this subject matter at all, ever. "This is a gun. The bullets come out here." THAT level. I found myself translating the lines into other languages in my head just to keep it interesting. I would teach an eight year-old with a higher level of language than they use in these courses.

Having said that, the NRA is pretty much where all certification flows from. if you want to have credentials and be 'certified' to anyone when you are trying to sell yourself as an instructor, this is probably what you are going to have to do.

That's about what I expected, mljdeckard. I think some of that simplicity and uniformity is the only way they can guarantee the content adheres to some commonality from course to course. My goal, besides getting the certification and hopefully making a small amount of additional income, is to teach those who have not ever handled or shot a gun. Specifically, possibly changing the minds of those who fear them or think that they are evil tools of desctruction. I enjoy teaching, and there's nothing better that I can think of for our freedom that removing the "fear factor" for those who have never gotten a chance to see both sides.

Thanks for the response,

Warner

 

[Al Thompson]

I'm a lapsed NRA instructor. Right now I do some coaching by referral, sort of what you are planning on doing.

IMHO, you need to dig into Adult Learning Theory way more than the NRA provides. While we all remember how we were instructed during school (and tend to revert back to those methods), teaching adults is different.

A quick topic search at your local library can get your feet wet and help you plan on how to teach.

 

[Warners]

I'm a lapsed NRA instructor. Right now I do some coaching by referral, sort of what you are planning on doing.

IMHO, you need to dig into Adult Learning Theory way more than the NRA provides. While we all remember how we were instructed during school (and tend to revert back to those methods), teaching adults is different.

A quick topic search at your local library can get your feet wet and help you plan on how to teach.

Good advice, Al....thanks for the suggestion..

Warner

 

[threefeathers]

I did the same, but I realized that the level of training of these courses is minimal. If you are going to actually help someone you MUST take an instructor development program from Mas Ayoob, Marty Hayes, Tom Givens, Dan Southard, ets.