Sunday, March 29, 2015

It's Official I am a fully licensed motorcycle instructor

I am still pinching myself! I finished my Motorcycle Instructor Trainee practicum and am now ready to embark on my teaching career.  The weather wasn't perfect, but honestly I am glad we had a wet and soggy weekend, as I told the students "Rain happens, it's only water" it's good that they are exposed to all kinds of weather because it's not always sunny days.  
I am taming the paperwork dragon before the students do their MSA/MST.
Part of being an instructor is riding the motorcycle skills assessment test as a demo for students. The MSA Test Officer is running through the pre-ride explanation in prep for my ride. 
It's a little unnerving having 2 senior instructors watch and then add 11 students into that and the stress can be over the top. Usually I would stress out, but not today, I just did it and rode it flawlessly. In the end I  actually I rode it for myself and it felt good!
All of the students rode their MSAs and passed!  I feel very humbled by the small part I played, in the end it's like watching baby birds fledge.  Now most are ready for their traffic class and continue their skill development as new motorcyclists. 
This was the most satisfying part of the process, here they sign their course completion paperwork, my job is done at this point.  Well done students! 

I am so grateful to my senior instructor mentors, who guided me through the entire process and hope that I will be lucky enough some day to mentor new instructors.
It's official weekend 2 PM class is done & my successful practicum complete! It still feels surreal! My first official course is in 2 weeks and I am STOKED!


16 comments:

Paige said...

Congratulations!!! You must be both relieved that it's over, and excited at the new horizon in front of you. :D

Dar said...

Paige. I am do relieved! I am very excited and looking forward to teaching an continue my learning. Next year traffic course practicum & theory.

Andrew Thomson said...

Awesome! Well done.

When can i get my free lessons?

David Masse said...

Hey, don't be butting in line Andrew, I was here first! Can you say you stalled a Shadow six times in 24 kms?? I didn't think so.

You can be first, right after me! :)

Shybiker said...

Congrats! Teaching is important and rewarding work. Several of my friends are m/c instructors and they love it. People come up to them at rallies and thank them profusely for teaching them how to ride years ago.

Lucky said...

High five! :)

The City Mouse in the Country said...

Congrats and I'm sure that you will do a great job. Teachers never know how they affect the lives of their students. I'm sure you will be a positive influence.

SonjaM said...

Dar, this is awesome. But with your excitement and enthusiasm I expected no less than a full success. Keep it up, your students will thank you later.

Trobairitz said...

Once again I say congrats to you Dar.

Be proud of how far you've come, what you can teach to others and what you'll also learn from them.

RichardM said...

Congratulations! Your enthusiasm is evident in the pictures and text!

Tripping Sister! said...

that is just awesome!!! Sooo very happy for you, Dar.....:-). God bless you in your new and exciting (for all of us) career!

Zoe at Splodz Blogz said...

Awesome - congratulations! Good luck with the first official course in a couple of weeks :)

Lynne Goebeler said...

Congratulations, Dar!!! You will be the best, most motivating instructor...go out and spread the motorcycle gospel!

Geoff James said...

Hi Dar,

Warmest congratulations! What they say is absolutely true - the instructor gets far more out of it than the student.

You now have a reputation to uphold so no getting picked up by the local cops for antisocial behaviour ;-)

Dar said...

Thank you everyone! I am starting the preparations for teaching my first class next week. Reviewing and working out the little bugs here and there. As Geoff has said "What they say is true - the instructor gets far more out of it than the student." I have also heard these sentiments from Troubadour and all of my other instructor colleagues.

I just hope that I will continue my personal growth and learn more! I am already planning on upgrading to teaching traffic and theory in addition to novice next year.

Bluekat said...

WooHoo! Congrats!!