Instructor, Teacher, or Coach

Some people say that one of the differences between an instructor and a teacher is that an instructor just presents information leaving the student with the burden of absorbing it, while a teacher knows how to communicate with each student according to the student’s needs. According to my training, the job of a coach is to bring out the best possible performance in the athlete they are coaching.

As an example, in the CrossFit Level 2 coaches course we learn how some athletes are visual learners and need to see us demonstrate the movement. Others are verbal and need to hear us explain. Others are tactile and need touch and physical cues. Tony Blauer’s instructor training also stresses the need for the coach to understand different learning styles and communicate with the student in ways that work for the student. "Don't show your students what you can do, show them what they can do".

I’m not criticizing other instructors. But too many instructors just present material without regard for how the student receives it and whether the student is actually learning. Worse, some instructors scold or belittle students when they don’t “get it”. Hey, that’s on you - it’s the instructor’s job to help the student “get it”.

Of course this is contextual. For example, maybe in military training, or a police academy, or the like, it is appropriate to use regimented, disciplined training that requires the students to uniformly follow along. That’s different. The students are probably more or less of similar ages and abilities, and will all be held to the same standards of performance.

But when teaching civilians - who have paid money and invested time in your class, putting their trust in you as their instructor - and whose ages, backgrounds, abilities, etc. are often greatly divergent - I think you owe it to them to be a teacher, a coach, and not just an instructor.