Teachers teach teachers to teach

Published April 3, 2013
By Airman Tara A. Williamson
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Most people will encounter a situation in their life when they need to teach. It may be as simple as helping a child tie his or her shoes or as an educator in a classroom.

The art of teaching is a learned skill most develop over time. Some seek out ways to learn and help others learn this abstract skill, as Capt. Mike DiPrisco, 32nd Air Refueling Squadron evaluator pilot, refers to it.

A team led by Capt. Jamila W. Fitzpatrick, 6th Airlift Squadron operations flight commander, a train-the-trainer course, entitled "Fundamentals of Instruction," was held for 305th Operations Group instructors in the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron auditorium here, March 26, 2013.

Instructors of KC-10 Extender and C-17 Globemaster III obtain the knowledge to teach from their respective formal schools, specifically flying skills, but the schools don't elaborate on how to instruct others.

Fitzpatrick thought for several months she would like to have training that taught skills on instructing others, but the Air Force didn't provide that.

The Vista, Calif., native attended a "How to be a good flight commander" seminar a year ago that taught different topics relating to bettering oneself in the career field. She thought she could combine what she saw at the seminar from "the experts" and what she would like to see happen in the 305th OG.

"We have several very experienced, high-time instructors in both the KC-10 and C-17 here in the 305th Air Mobility Wing, but none of their expertise was written down or codified," said Fitzpatrick. "I thought if there was some way to capture their knowledge, we could use the resources we have available, i.e., the great experienced instructors we have, to teach ourselves how to be better."

Instructors of the seminar were members of different units within the 305th OG, each bringing skills they've learned throughout their careers, from newly-minted instructors to highly-qualified training members, to those attending.

"The training was presented by some of the most experienced and senior instructors and evaluators from each crew position and both aircraft based here, as well as a few reservists either working within the 305th Air Mobility Wing or who have returned to active duty," explained DiPrisco, a Jackson Hole, Wyo., native.

The one-day course consisted of formal academic briefing techniques, objective development, developing and planning a local training sortie, instructing in the aircraft and mission debriefing fundamentals and techniques.

Instructors who attended the seminar were not disappointed in the day's training. Many piped in to ask questions or give their input on the topics at hand throughout the day.

"I think the biggest thing I took away was motivation to become a better instructor," said Capt. Nicole Stenstad, 6th AS executive officer. "Seeing all the great talent and knowledge in the group challenged me to strive to constantly improve my craft. Now I have some tips that I can use to try to do just that."

Col. Michael Rickard, 305th OG commander and Detroit native, was in attendance for the seminar and gave opening remarks, letting members know the briefings would be a type of refresher, giving more in-depth techniques than what they learned at instructor school, but changed his mind by the day's end.

"The seminar started out as briefings from some our most senior instructors, but turned into tips, tactics and procedures offered by the experience of instructors in the audience," he said. "It far exceeded my expectations."

Fitzpatrick hopes the seminar will be held either annually or semi-annually for those arriving to the 305th OG.

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