First of all, I am an extreme advocate of the first admendment, that being said, it is sometimes disconcerting that because I am certified to teach by an agency, that everyone thinks they know how I teach and to what level....just because my agency does not dictate I MUST have a 100 hour course, I teach students to be unsafe. There are others who have a bitter taste in their mouths for the agency I am certified to teach for, and have found their niche in a new agency, so at every opportunity they inject their "better" idea into the conversation. What is normally ignored it the fact that, just because, and I'll use the term, many, instructional businesses under the same auspices, cut corners, does not mean that we all do. I believe, and until someone with more experience and authority, tells me so, I teach a well rounded course with emphasis on safety and knowledge for my students, within and exceeding the minimum guidelines of my agency. What it takes is deciding you, the instructor, doesn't mind spending the time to teach....teach, not just certify, the students. Too many broad brushes and self illuminating is the main problem with these discussions. I will not attack another agencies course, and I do get tired of hearing my chosen agency degraded pretty much on a daily basis, if not by name, often just insinuation by people I do admire, trying to push their thoughts on an unknowing readership.
