Are you moving up the PADI Instructor ranks? Thinking about becoming an IDC Staff Instructor?
Just go for it! Seriously, this course will truly transform your teaching approach and elevate your skills as an instructor.
What is a PADI IDC Staff Instructor?
A PADI IDC Staff Instructor is more than just a role - it's about being a crucial support system for Course Directors during Instructor Development Courses (IDCs). They're the right-hand person and the expert in areas where the Course Director may need assistance. As a Staff Instructor, you'll work closely with IDC candidates, providing personalized support and filling in gaps when the Course Director needs it. It's about complementing each other's strengths and ensuring every candidate receives the best possible training experience.
Why Become a PADI IDC Staff Instructor?
Taking the PADI Staff Instructor Course is a total game-changer. It will transform your career and teaching approach! This course deepens your understanding of the PADI System of Education and boosts your confidence, proving that you have the knowledge and skills not just to teach, but to teach others how to teach effectively.
Becoming a Staff Instructor opens up new opportunities beyond your usual teaching routine. You'll dive deeper into professional-level training, which is both challenging and rewarding. The most impactful aspect? The ability to self-assess and continually refine your teaching methods. You'll learn to scrutinize your own delivery, ensuring that every session is clear and effective. This shift from blaming students for not understanding to realizing it's your teaching approach that's off is a game-changer, it elevates your skills and ultimately enhances your students' learning experiences.
Once you've become a PADI Staff Instructor, you have a range of exciting opportunities ahead:
- Independently teach the PADI Assistant Instructor Course.
- Lead and manage the entire IDC process, supporting candidates while the Course Director oversees.
- Evaluate knowledge development, confined water, and open water teaching presentations, providing valuable feedback to candidates.
- Provide guidance and additional training to aspiring instructors who may need extra support.
- Assist in teaching instructor specialty courses.
What Will You Do on Your PADI Staff Instructor Course?
Well... first off, you're going to have a blast! It's a mix of classroom and confined water sessions, including:
• Workshops Delivered by Your Course Director: Gain insights from experienced pros.
- Course Orientation: An introduction to your role as a PADI Staff Instructor.
- Instructor Development Standards, Procedures, and Curriculum: A deep dive into the PADI Course Director Manual and IDC program standards.
- Organizing and Conducting the PADI Assistant Instructor Course: Get ready to run your own AI courses once you're qualified.
- Psychology of Evaluation and Counseling: Learn how to be the best mentor for your future candidates.
• Exams: Yes, you'll take exams (and it won’t be the last time—just wait until you apply to become a Course Director!).
- Score 80 percent on each of the Dive Theory Exams.
- Score 80 percent on the PADI Systems, Standards, and Procedures Exam.
- Skill Circuit: Score 96 total points, with no individual score below 3 (you've got this!).
• Teaching Presentations: Yes, more teaching presentations!
- Score at least 4.0 on a knowledge development teaching presentation.
- Score at least 4.0 on a confined water teaching presentation.
• Applying Your Knowledge in a Real Program:
You have two options:
- Audit a Full IDC: This is the best way to get the most out of the course. You'll staff an entire IDC, sitting in on all the workshops, evaluating candidates, supporting them, and implementing what you've learned during the PADI Staff Instructor Course.
- Present All Components from the Assistant Instructor Course: If you're short on time, you can role-play delivering an AI course. Not the best way to finish off the Staff Instructor Course tho because it's not real life! Your coursemates and the rest of the team will pretend to be your students. You'll need to score at least 3.4 on each presentation, with your Course Director evaluating you.
• Evaluating and Scoring Candidates: You'll learn how to score candidates' presentations, matching the scores of your Course Director.
- Match the control score on three out of five knowledge development evaluation criteria sections for two out of three teaching presentations.
- Match the control score on three out of the five confined water evaluation criteria sections for two out of three teaching presentations.
- Match the control score on three out of four (no demo) or three out of five (demo required) open water evaluation criteria sections for two out of three teaching presentations.
Short story long, you'll be evaluating and scoring everything your candidates present and trying to align your scores with those of your Course Director.
It’s a comprehensive, fun, and intense course that will elevate your skills and prepare you to be an invaluable part of any IDC team!
What Are the Prerequisites for the PADI Staff Instructor Course?
To enroll in the PADI Staff Instructor Course, you must:
- Be a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer in teaching status
- Be an Emergency First Response Instructor
- Agree to conduct all levels of diver training consistent with PADI standards and philosophy
- Agree to use the PADI System and its components in their entirety
These prerequisites ensure that you're fully prepared to take on the responsibilities and challenges of the PADI Staff Instructor Course.
Where should I do my PADI IDC Staff Instructor Course?
Chances are, you're already working in a PADI IDC dive center where you can take the next step to becoming a PADI IDC Staff Instructor and you'll likely get a great price and already vibe with your Course Director.
If you need to find a dive center for your training, gather as much information as you can about them. The most important thing is to find a Course Director you connect with. Each Course Director has their own style and approach to scuba diver training, and you need to find one that shares your values!
During your Staff Instructor Course - those 3 days before you audit the IDC - it's all about you! Your Course Director will focus on helping you get the most out of your training, but when it comes to staffing the IDC, Instructor Candidates come first. You'll still get one-on-one time with your Course Director, but keeping the Candidates on track and ensuring they get the right advice will always be the top priority.
This is why finding a Course Director who shares your values and teaching approach is a smart move. When you’re in sync, you’re an asset. If not, you’ll need more hands-on management to keep the IDC running smoothly.
Should I take my PADI IDC Staff Instructor Course at Coral Grand Divers - Koh Tao?
It's all about clicking with your Course Director if you want to get the most out of your PADI IDC Staff Instructor Course, right? Well, at Coral Grand Divers, Course Directors are top-notch, ready to make your training epic!
