Why Teachers Make Great Trainers:
The Show Notes
Understanding the Role of Trainer
There are many aspects involved in being a great trainer. Just like in the classroom, there is a lot of prep before you actually deliver any content. Trainers start with research and doing a skills assessment to determine what the learners really need.
Next, trainers are often responsible for creating or providing input for the educational materials that will be used to deliver the content. Trainers help make important decisions about the format of the learning (in person, virtual, independent, group) and how to engage the learners in the content (quizzes, videos, activities). This is where they also collaborate with subject matter experts.
What is important to understand is that no two trainer roles are alike. In some cases, the trainer is also the instructional designer. Other times, the trainer is more focused on the delivery of the content. This often depends on the size of the company you work for.
Look for Work That Feels Like a Hobby
If you are interested in becoming a trainer, start by thinking about the companies that you would love to work for. Think about the tools or resources you have loved using the classroom and find out what companies create those products. If there are no training positions currently open, consider applying for another position in the company as a stepping stone.
Then, once you get into a role, you can learn more about the company to ensure it’s a good fit. This is also a perfect opportunity to show off your skills. Lisa reminded us that personality and passion really do count for something. If you are personally invested in a company’s products, it will shine through and you will be a much more effective trainer.
The Reasons Why Teachers Make Great Trainers
There are many reasons why teachers can easily slide into a training position. For one, they are patient and compassionate with difficult learners. Teachers are also super creative in the ways they engage students in the content they teach.
Additionally, teachers make great trainers because they have excellent coaching skills. They help learners develop skills related to time-management, performance, conflict resolution, and leadership among others. Teachers are also experts at being able to evaluate student performance to determine what steps to take next and where learners have skills gaps.
You probably noticed you already have all of these skills. All you need to apply for a trainer position is the language to translate these skills into terms that corporate companies would recognize. You can find the translator tool in the Teacher to Instructional Designer course too!
Want to learn more from Lisa about the work opportunities there are for you in training, which one to choose, and how to land them? Click here to learn from her at the Next Jobs for Teachers: Teacher Transition Summit!
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Resources Mentioned in the Show
“Wondering whether you’d enjoy being a trainer or an instructional designer? take the quiz to see which role you’d prefer!
- Grab Lisa’s book: Teachers to Trainers
- Join the Membership!
- Teacher Transition on Facebook
- Teacher Transition on Instagram
- Become an Instructional Designer in 6 weeks!
Connect with Lisa
Lisa is a Senior Content Manager at the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and the host of The Accidental Trainer podcast. She is also the editor of the 2020 book Teachers to Trainers and creator and manager of the ATD transitioning military service member workshops, Troops to Trainers.
