CCA

Alright, I've been instructing for 3-4 years now, usually with the PCA & Chin. I'm trying to plan which events I want to do this year. One is hosting the National Instructor certification program on one of it's 3-days. I have not gone though the program and was wondering if it was worth it. Money is tight and track time precious, so the course fee could be applied to another event if I pass it by. That being said, it's a good opportunity to take it, as it's being offered at my home track. Thoughts?

JR944

Take the course. Even after instructing for many years and serving as CDI for 2 regions I found the discussion worthwhile and good reminders of things we should all be doing.

Additionally, if you want to travel and instruct elsewhere, the successful completion of the program gives you some credibility.
Joe

dave morris

+1

Bob Rouleau

Take the course. Some regions are requiring it and a refresher never hurts.

Lemming

I signed up to do this as well at the end of the month thinking that I would like to be able to travel out of the region to instruct in the future. Got an email on Saturday from the organizer and they have me listed as a "Qualified Mentor", not "Qualified Candidate". Guess I need to call today to find out what's going on. I've been involved with mentoring potential instructors with BMWCCA but not PCA.

JR944

No worries Tim. All that means is that you'll be working with a less experienced instructor or instructor candidate during the on-track sessions. You will role play, playing the role of the student while the other person attempts to "instruct" you. You can have a lot of fun with this playing the role of the student who makes every mistake you've ever seen!

IMO, this doesn't change the value of the day for you at all. I've participated in the training twice and led it twice, always as the "mentor".

Hope all is well,

Joe

Lemming

Thanks Joe. I've done this for BMWCCA, just not PCA. A friend, who is also on the "Mentor" list, called and found out that it is the Mentors that will receive PCA National Certification if they pass, the Qualified Students will be advanced to "Instructor" status if they pass.

sbelles

Well worth it especially if Pete will be running the show.

sbelles

That makes no sense. Nobody gets "certified". By taking and passing he course you are added to the list of "nationally trained" instructors.

Lemming

Don't know, I did not talk to the person myself, just got the info second hand from my friend who is also taking the course.

JR944

Correct. I also question what your friend heard. I beleive the mentors are generally accepted as capable instructors and will automatically successfully "pass" the course. Others must successfully complete a check ride and are graded by someone other than the mentor they work with during the rest of the day. I hope that makes sense.

Pete and Joe are very clear in their presentations that this is not a "PCA Certification". I often chuckle at folks who list this "certification" on their RL signatures.

RonCT

More education never hurt anyone - you may pick something useful up going through the course and mentoring. PCA National is pretty much a benchmark program...

Vlocity

The class is well worth the time. At the certification we hosted last year, whether you were a Mentor or Student, you became certified at the end of the class if you passed. Our region is working on bringing a continuing education style one day class to the track this year.

Chuckle away !

Regards,

Ken

Lemming

I would not discount what BMWCCA is now doing. Last year at Barber I acted as a mentor for instructor candidates. The school was two days and had 6 or 7 class sessions and 8 on-track sessions with the candidates. On Sunday afternoon the candidates were evaluated on track by a different mentor for their instructing ability and ability to drive at the instructor level. There was then a 1.5 hr debrief of the mentors where we discussed each candidate and decided whether they passed or failed. Not everyone passed.

mhm993

Lemming has the "who gets what" wrong, but it's worthwhile either as a refresher or to help as a mentor.

Pete T can chime in should he care, but the current vocabulary is nationally trained. If you act as a mentor or novice instructor, and participate with enthusiasm and reasonable skill, you get a PCA registry number showing you've completed the national training.