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Gordy & Jim,
As a Master candidate I would like to provide my thoughts and views regarding a prepared candidate. As you can see I have provided a lengthy thread. That is because it takes a lot of thought and people to become prepared.
As most of us know, many Candidates have many different reasons for being a CCI.
There are quite a few CCI's out there that took the test with out teaching as their main objective. Some use it as a means of advancing in the sporting world as a profession. Like most corporate executives who must have a Masters degree to advance in corporations.
I put this down as stated in earlier threads to be the Fundamental Human Needs of individuals. There are many facets to the human that comes into play.
All the different reasons for certification are out there confronting the Master's & BOG's testing the world. Not an easy task.
Some may take the test just for the challenge that it provides. For self gratification.
Some may take the test to place the skill level on their credentials to show their abilities as a scholar and proficiencies.
Best example is a guide with CCI instructor credentials. Or a Fly Shop employee who needs a certification for advancement. Certification is a must have in these profession's in most cases to excel.
Some may take the test to be an instructor so they can teach the skills to individuals, groups, conclaves,
Some may take the test to publish a Book, or make a DVD etc. The list goes on.
We all hope and feel that the teaching side of this certification will shine through for all those that take the test and pass.
As a Master or BOG you will see these different levels and types of candidates coming through the channels of testing.
As stated before, proficiency with regards to making the casts is one aspect of the test.
The other is the knowledge with regards to the mechanics and analysis of the casting, with the aptitude to teach and convey the message to others. In my opinion that this portion of the test will really shine through for certification of a teaching CCI who really has command of the explain and demo portion of the test.
The standards have been set by the FFF. All should be considered and all should be tested on the merits of the test and their skills to perform the casts and their individual abilities to teach.
My take on the journey of a prepared Teaching Candidate is the following :
The teaching candidate should seek out a good mentor & a study group that can convey the need knowledge and teaching skills that the candidate needs, so they are prepared to pass on the knowledge & teaching skills learned to the Masters who test him or her, and to the students they will teach after certification.
This is not only as a representative of the FFF, but as a representative of those who have instilled the knowledge they possess. Those who have provided the knowledge in many cases at no fee except donated time in the field of teaching others.
The candidate should have gained good references from their mentor and or study group on the subject matter to study for Certification. Meaning some books, tapes, and classes at conclaves attended to shape his or her learning and teaching skills. Note that I feel that a candidate through out this process should leave room in his or her teaching data banks for their own self discoveries about teaching the sport. Bring yourself into the mix as Style. You need to choose the information that you feel fulfill's your needs as a teacher.
Another key factor is getting out and teaching. This is a major step in right direction to being prepared for the test. This will build up your confidence where it is needed most by conveying a message then demo that message in the application. Do what you say and say what you do!
This needs to happen in many forms in a gradual progression depending on your level of knowledge through out your journey to CCI status. This can be one on one lessons, group sessions or lessons in a clinic format, or a presentation at an event or conclave with a large group of people involved such as a rendezvous or emergency room sessions which occur at all FFF conclaves. You just need to inquire.
Teaching should be and has to be, in my opinion, one of the major objectives for all candidates.
Networking with other candidates and CCI's through out your journey to certification is very important. A prepared Candidate will meet and work with many other candidates through out their journey. The candidate should seek and learn new teaching methods from the all CCI's & Masters when ever possible, to broaden their scope as a candidate. Also these new relationships and experiences you as a candidate are expose to, will last you a life time not only in new friendships sharing a common interest, but also assist you in your further development as a CCI instructor after certification.
Another proven point made by most candidates is that you should run through the test with your peers. One is your Mentor and then the other is with a Master or BOG that you have never met. This will be a true test if you are prepared for the test. This can save lots of time and effort on your part. Plus lead to areas of concentrated efforts for the candidate to address on those specific challenges of the test they need to work on.
In conclusion:
Many have taken the test several times before they reach that prepared status to pass. Many candidates will rush the process with out researching and taking the needed steps to make sure they are prepared for the test.
Those that are actively involved in a group such as a study group, will excel quicker and be better prepared then those that do not. Trying to learn all that is needed on your own can be difficult for the best of candidates. Also you miss out on a lot of networking that will support your efforts in the future after certification.
Interaction with your peers will give you a good insight and indication, if you are prepared or not. Get involved!
My personal take on my journey below to become prepared for the CCI test:
I utilized some books and DVD's of my choice that provided the messages that I needed for my teachers and students.
I kept the Essentials as the main focus as they related to the test.
I kept the practical field application for each cast in mind as they related to each task on the test.
For me, my mentor was Al Crise, He was the head of my study group. I participated in this study group weekly, which helped me greatly on my journey to be prepared. I had Ol Al's study group supporting me with feed back. I was researching and trying to answer the questions weekly on the web site, plus reading the responses from the other candidates and CCI's who responded to the questions posed. This helped in my learning of the essentials and how they relate to teaching students. Ol Al's input was instrumental in my development.
Notice that I said trying!
Early in my journey, many of my answers were wrong, but that process helped me learn the correct answer to the question. That is what we all want to achieve. The research for the answers was the biggest plus due to all the things I learned along the way to find the correct answer. On a journey we are all trying to get to the destination, but remember it is all the stuff you see along the way that makes the journey all the more enjoyable! I learned a lot from that experience.
Al was there as my mentor to help me with the tough areas. He was the Master who arranged many of the clinic's that gave me the platform to teach. These avenues for teaching are needed for all CCI candidates. This was a major learning step for me to help analyze the cast & correct faults during my development as a CCI instructor. The application of the The Six Steps!
Being a good teacher takes practical experience. Al as a Master CCI provided that for me. That is what I want to provide my CCI candidates once I have achieved the Master Certification. Al instilled this in me as an instructor.
Others that have helped me prepare for the test: I provide this just to show the extent of who made it possible for me.
Al Crise for his devoted time and effort to help me obtain the status of CCI Instructor.
My brother Lee Davison (MCCI & THCI) who supported me when ever needed, and who inspired me to be here today as a CCI candidate studying to be a Master.
Also the many CCI's who at the time were CCI candidates, who support me and Al and all the students at our clinic's (Jim Bass, Rex & Taylor Walker, Diane Blair, Bill Hoot, Eric Campbell).
The CCI's who came to the clinic's to share their knowledge (Carolyn & Rusty Dunn, Stacey Lynn, Bryan Nims, Dave Bradley, & David Cole).
The Master's & BOG's who provided the foundation and support (Steve Hollensed, Jay Clark, Bruce Richards, Keith Richard. Gordy Hill & Al Crise).
This is just to mention a few who contributed to my journey to be prepared for the CCI test.
I also wish to thank all the students of all levels of learning that attended our clinics. Because without them, I could not have been prepared for the CCI test!
All the best
Gary Davison
Gulf Coast Spey
Gulf Coast School of Fly Casting
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[GH] Gary,
All CCI candidates should read what you have written.
Learning by actually teaching your students is a great way to learn. I should have given that method more attention in our discussions. By teaching, we get the feedback of success or failure in "realtime"!
As we help one another become prepared, it leaves us with a sense of great satisfaction.
The candidate may elect to make and keep handwritten notes which can be reviewed prior to testing. Another way of doing this is to keep a log of information in documents &/or downloads on the computer.
Years ago, I was proud to serve as mentor to Al Crise. Al followed up by mentoring and assisting many who came later. He was particularly effective at teaching youngsters. They all loved him and his "zoomies" *
* "Zoomies" : A one word picture to describe acceleration . More "Zoomies" meant greater acceleration. Ol Al coined this and other words which were effective as he taught children to fly cast.
Gordy
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