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| - This was my second AZ CCW course that I have completed with Arizona Defensive Firearms. The first class was 10 years ago and taught by the former owner. This class was taught by Steve and classroom support from Jake.
I am terrible at reading maps so I arrived about 6 minutes late to class. Steve was already instructing as I walked in late. He greeted me, welcomed me, and made me feel 100% welcome even though I was late. Some of you know, the prior owner "RB" might have kicked me out for being late. Steve and company earn their first star, if you will.
Steve continues his instruction and asks the classes several opinion based questions. Meaning, he is allowing the students to answer questions without the fear of being incorrect. Further, he used traditional teaching/facilitation skills and repeated and validated student answers before completing the lesson. Steve earns a second star for his formal facilitation skills.
Keep in mind, Steve and the crew need to teach the curriculum outlined by the state of AZ - meaning some of the material may feel elementary or dry. Steve delivered this information with an appropriate amount of humor to keep things moving along. Steve did a fine job of moving about, demonstrating proper gun behaviors with the trainer gun, and ensured that he was not solely reading thePowerPoint (everyone hates PowerPoint). Steve earns third star.
Boom (sorry bad pun), we are off to the range. Now the range is an odd beast. By this I mean, this is where instructors and support staff show their true colors. I have taken 4 courses in my shooting life - 2 in Las Vegas and two with AZ Defensive Firearms training. In Vegas, I have had instructors slap at my gun for errors (might have been justified) physically adjust me in an abrupt manner. It was off putting and rattled me a bit. When I took my first class with AZ DFT, "RB" was the instructor and he was a bit milder than that slap or terse, physical adjustment. However, one could tell he would light you up if he wanted to. Steve and Jake ran the range and did so with tact, care, concern, and grace. We had two peer students who were discharging a firearm for the first time in their life - what an intimidating thing to do among 25 strangers! Steve ensured that the new shooters were safe, ready, and equipped to be safe and successful. Jake managed the remainder of the firing line efficiently. Jake had to spend time with a few newer shooters and a rather difficult weapon malfunction. I intentionally waited to shoot last to observe the students (for my own safety) as well as to observe the instructors. Steve and Jake never lost their cool, even with the serial repeaters of fingers on the trigger...They never lost their cool with those on the line accidentally muzzling others. (Newer shooters often rotate at the hip when looking for the instructors/help and their weapons typically follow their eyes.) Steve and Jake managed that well and no one got their posterior chewed out. Steve/Jake - that's an area of opportunity you may want to consider as instructors. Steve and Jake earn their 4th star!
Back to class for the final two hours. At this point, some of the students have warmed up and began to ask their own questions. Again, Steve acknowledged ALL questions, would repeat the intent of the question to the class, modeling the student, and he would answer with an amazing LEO based story - and then tell the student that the question was a good question. Again, Steve has teaching/facilitation basics nailed. Students need to feel comfortable to learn and the environment needs to be safe and Steve made the environment safe AND fun. Steve walks the class through the paperwork.....He did so with a smile in his voice and the patience of a true professional. 5th star earned.
Steve - Jake, thank you for the class. I had a great learning experience and had some fun. See you soon at the Fundamentals and Defensive Pistol course. Keep up the great work.
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