9 replies to this topic

[tstormwarning]

I just finished up my OW Instructor course late last week & sent the paperwork off Fri. I'm still so excited I can't hardly stand it! I haven't come down off cloud 9 yet. It was a long, grueling 5 months of a lot of hard work & practice. I was lucky that I was in a very good class. We worked as a team very well together & the guys did their absolute best to put me at ease, when I would start getting nervous while giving our lecture presentations. At this point I plan to intern, for a while, under the more experienced instructors at the shop & eventually take on small classes as I gain more experience, then in time, start tackling larger classes. I will be the first to admit I don't now it all & never will, but will do my best to get an answer if asked a question that I don't have an answer to. I will also admit that my skills aren't perfect, but I'm continuing to work on them & improve them. I am quite serious about becoming the best instructor I can for the students I will teach. I have tons of patience, but also realize that there are times when you have to cover vast amounts of material & skills in a short period of time. What separates a "great instructor" from an "instructor"? What do you other instructors do to be the best you can be for your students? I am always open to new ideas & value other's opinions on how to improve things. I would appreciate any information you may be able to provide for me.

[dustbowl diver]

Congrats on your outstanding accomplishment!!

[justscuba]

Congrats Tammy. It must of been the good instructor you have been talking with and going on Black Beards. Yes the other instructor on the ship not me. lol.

[pmarie]

Congrats on your accomplishement!! It sounds like you are already on the right track to be being a great instructor.

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

Congratulations - a fantastic accomplishment. Yes, you're well on your way to being more than an instructor.....you care, and that makes a huge difference!

You asked what can make you a better instructor so here is my 2 psi: If you're teaching basic OW, just repeat & drill into their heads the basics -- repetition helps build conditioned responses. And if possible, go a bit beyond buoyancy "concepts" and help students learn exactly what to do there. I've seen so many new C-card divers damage reefs or blowing through their safety stop because they don't have any buoyancy control at all, and don't know they have a problem!

[shadragon]

Congratulations on a major accomplishment. Interning for a while is the best course. Learn at the heels of as many instructors as you can find. You will see the good and bad quickly and that will aid you in your course of personal development.

LLDN is correct. Buoyancy control is the biggest thing for a beginner to master.

[tstormwarning]

Congrats Tammy. It must of been the good instructor you have been talking with and going on Black Beards. Yes the other instructor on the ship not me. lol.

Hey there! I forgot you were here! Yes, it had to be that instructor I hung out with & was one of my buddies during the trip.

[tstormwarning]

Congratulations - a fantastic accomplishment. Yes, you're well on your way to being more than an instructor.....you care, and that makes a huge difference!

You asked what can make you a better instructor so here is my 2 psi: If you're teaching basic OW, just repeat & drill into their heads the basics -- repetition helps build conditioned responses. And if possible, go a bit beyond buoyancy "concepts" and help students learn exactly what to do there. I've seen so many new C-card divers damage reefs or blowing through their safety stop because they don't have any buoyancy control at all, and don't know they have a problem!

Thanks, good advice. I guess I'm just excited, but I dooo want to do the best I can for those who learn from me.

[tstormwarning]

Congratulations on a major accomplishment. Interning for a while is the best course. Learn at the heels of as many instructors as you can find. You will see the good and bad quickly and that will aid you in your course of personal development.

LLDN is correct. Buoyancy control is the biggest thing for a beginner to master.

Good advice, I will certainly take it to heart.

As for the first statement,... I agree 110%. It's took me well over a year & a half to get my buoyancy to the point I'm not having to struggle with it. Unfortunately I've had to pretty much figure it out myself.

[ScubaDadMiami]

Congratulations! Good luck in your instructorship.