Education

It is said that students learn more from their teachers than their textbooks. With that in mind, the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services is emphatic that all EMS initial training and EMS continuing education must be taught by competent and knowledgeable instructors.

Beginning instructors should start with topics that are short, familiar and interesting to you as an instructor. These may be CPR, choking, bleeding and bandaging. In addition, doing public presentations or an introduction to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for community organizations such as churches, schools or other civic groups. Observe and work with other EMS Educators that you admire. Focus on adopting some of their material into your own style and using it. As you grow more comfortable, begin to slowly expand your area of expertise to include First Aid or an entire CPR class and then practice, practice, practice.

One of the first things that you need to ask is, "Why do I want to be an instructor?" One of the most important aspects of an effective educator is to stay excited with the material and the students. If you choose teaching as a route for a pay increase you probably will not endure the teaching profession very long. If you enjoy teaching, then it becomes fun and not a burdensome task to prepare for class. Your students always know when you, as an instructor, are comfortable with the material and enjoying themselves in the classroom or field environment.