Flight Training: A Flight instructor that cares and Getting Kicked in the Pants

by Joe
(Raymore)

Flight Training: A Flight Instructor that cares and Getting Kicked in the Pants.

No pun intended, but we nearly got grounded the other day in class.

Ok, I’m being a little dramatic, for Dr. Bell can’t put us in time-out.

He did, however, put us in our place.

The funny thing is… I was actually grateful for it!

During class, we watched a video that seemed to be a little faster paced than what I was ready for.

Using language and spouting off numbers that I couldn’t seem to grasp the meaning of.

Usually, when we watch a video, or read something in textbook jargon, Dr. Bell will take the time to “translate” it when we are finished.

Usually, we have a general idea of what the subject matter is about, and Doc just embellishes and cleans it up for us.

Last night, this was NOT the case.

The info on this video was way over my head, and a few of the others from what I gathered.

When we spoke out about our lack of understanding, Doc sighed and said “do we really want to go into this?” Um, not really.

I wouldn’t mind getting out of class a few minutes early!

After he started to express his disappointment in the fact that we had not read ahead and prepared ourselves for this subject, I realized that “this”, meant his rant about how he wanted us to be caught up to the material in this video.

I’m supposed to be enticing people to believe in ATU the way I do, so why on earth would I be talking about our hypothetical spanking in my article?

Because this ‘lecture’ only made Dr. Bell a greater teacher.

Kind of like how you think it’s cool for your parents to be your friends, but then realize that you want them to kick you in the pants every once and a while?

I’ve been in a LOT of classes up until my time in ATU.

I’ve had different types of teachers all across the board.

But NEVER, have I had a teacher say “you didn’t understand this? (I’m not happy about it, but) we will have to go over it next time.”

I was fully expecting the “too bad, so sad, I’m not waiting for you….good luck on your test.” And I was left in the dust, almost as pissed at the teacher as I was at myself.

Not in this case.

Dr. Bell and my colleagues at ATU have a “no person left behind policy”.

Therefore, I am responsible for pulling my weight, as well as helping keep things running smoothly.

Dr. Bell would not let me slip behind.

He’s made it clear that while he doesn’t want to hold my hand in the program, he will reach out for it when I have lost my footing.

I’m sorry I let you down, Doc.

Thanks for the kick in the pants.