Joining the ranks of Educator

After years of setting on the fence and a DM and tech DM, I have decided to take the plunge into instruction. From those of you currently there, what are some friendly words of advise.

After years of setting on the fence and a DM and tech DM, I have decided to take the plunge into instruction. From those of you currently there, what are some friendly words of advise.

Well, I'm not "there" yet; but congratulations! My road will be much longer and harder I'm sure since you're already at least a DM / Tech DM. I'm just now going through Rescue.

Have you decided whether you are going to instruct independently, or if you will be affiliated with a specific shop? I think that's important, because often when you're affiliated with a specific shop you're at their mercy for which classes you teach and when. I've known people who teach on their own AND through a shop as well, but pay their own insurance so they have the flexibility to remain independent. The shop has to trust that you don't intend to "steal" their clients from their OW to your AOW, etc. :-)

As an instructor make sure to leave time to do dives for yourself...
You should be able to teach all the courses but try and focus on teaching the ones you like.With any luck other instuctors perfer teaching other course and you can refer each other.(ex-you like teaching specialties such as wreck and nitrox and rescue and another instuctor likes teaching OW and underwater photography).
Even if your teaching for a shop it is your name and reputation on the students card.Even the best instuctor will have to fail people some cases they shouldn't be diving,some just need to work a little harder(alot of these folks go on to be good divers because there is value in their achivement) and some need some who has a different teaching style.
Re-read the first sentence...

Eric

Don't do it! Just kidding. Congratulations on your decision.

Just promise yourself that you will stop the day it ceases to be a labor of love.