The MI as Coach & Mentor
By: Lee Steitz, MIDP Class 10
The need for quality public safety training is at an all-time high. Master Instructors use cutting edge tools and techniques coupled with an array of skills and knowledge gained through earning a Master Instructor certificate to design and deliver relevant courses. One important role of a Master Instructor is to assist other trainers as they embark upon their learning journey.
Mentoring and coaching are critical activities that enable Master Instructors to provide guidance, feedback and the benefit of their experiences to others. Coaching is more spontaneous in nature, with opportunities presented sometimes daily. Master Instructors consider coaching an opportunity to help new instructors, or possibly subordinates and supervisors, increase their skills when delivering training at any level.
Mentoring is generally a more formal activity where the Master Instructor forms a relationship with a less experienced instructor. Interactions may be structured or free-flowing depending upon the situation and the relationship may last for many years or only for a designated period. A mentoring relationship offers the benefit of regular interaction between the Master Instructor and his or her mentee, thus providing timeliness and relevance to the learning process.
As part of their coursework, Master Instructor candidates are required to document coaching and mentoring activities. However, certified Master Instructors don't stop coaching and mentoring once they graduate; instead, they use what they've learned to help others blossom into highly competent trainers. Whether informally coaching a peer in one's work unit, or formally mentoring a student in the POST Instructor Development Institute, Master Instructors serve as role models and help keep California law enforcement at the forefront of public safety training.
