No mentors as a new diver because in 1960+ we were learning on our own. But many years later while becoming a divemaster and later an instructor, I had several mentors.
- One who early on gave me the good advice to train with and observe multiple instructors.
- The former Special Forces instructor who was amazingly patient with students who were apprehensive, or slower learners.
- The senior instructor with encyclopedic knowledge.
- The natural instructor who made teaching look easy and whose classes flowed smoothly and accomplished more in less time than the rest. I learned how much prior preparation that took.
- The instructor whose enthusiasm was contagious because it always seemed fresh.
- The instructor who entertained students, even having them chuckle while learning the tables - efficiently.
- The vast majority of instructors who sincerely cared about student safety and success.
I tried to emulate them, although for the funny one all I managed was to make my presentations a bit more light-hearted.
In contrast, there were also a few who demonstrated things to avoid ego trips, wasting time, guessing, shouting, making amorous advances. All this from only three people. None lasted long at our shop.
- One who early on gave me the good advice to train with and observe multiple instructors.
- The former Special Forces instructor who was amazingly patient with students who were apprehensive, or slower learners.
- The senior instructor with encyclopedic knowledge.
- The natural instructor who made teaching look easy and whose classes flowed smoothly and accomplished more in less time than the rest. I learned how much prior preparation that took.
- The instructor whose enthusiasm was contagious because it always seemed fresh.
- The instructor who entertained students, even having them chuckle while learning the tables - efficiently.
- The vast majority of instructors who sincerely cared about student safety and success.
I tried to emulate them, although for the funny one all I managed was to make my presentations a bit more light-hearted.
In contrast, there were also a few who demonstrated things to avoid ego trips, wasting time, guessing, shouting, making amorous advances. All this from only three people. None lasted long at our shop.