need advice on how to handle a certain instructor

[CJR1977]

Hello,

Im about halfway done with fire II. another month and I will be a certified EMT/Firefighter. I have sacrificed a LOT to get this far. I have pushed through injuries, pushed aside family that just doesnt understand completely and isnt as supportive as I'd like. My fiance is stressed because she has had to take on a huge part of the finances while I finish school.

All this work, all this drive is being undermined by a certain instructor. I have about 8 or so. This one happens to be a lead instructor. EVERY single instructor has complimented me on my abilities but this one singles me out a lot. This isnt a big deal but he noticably is buddy buddy with certain cadets and all business and sometimes just cruel to others. myself included. If someone walks by without gloves or a faceshield down he says NOTHING. When I do it he makes it a point to say something to me.

He has done this to the point where I have gotten an unfair reputation just because he uses my name with negativity on a regular basis.

No big deal right? Well this guy is the one who writes personal evaluations. I know where my strengths are and where my weaknesses are. Ive excelled from fire I to Fire II and this last evaluation was crap. This guy is a Lt, and the Captain said to him that the evaluation was too harsh. The thing about it is that he gave his "favorites" all 10's and others whom I believe to be MORE deserving 7.5's. He gave me 7.5s on everything except Teamwork, Work Ethics and Ability to complete tasks. I asked him when I was ever not able to complete a task and he scratched it out and put 5.

Bottom line is these evals are a joke. They are not constructive and hold no information that would lead a person down a road of improvement.

So the reason for this long post is, are these evals just for school or do they follow you? What do I do about this guy? He has lost my high respect as a person and as a firefighter due to his actions towards me and others. Im embarrassed that hes even a firefighter. Ive kept my mouth shut because I know thats what Im supposed to do. I opened my mouth once in the begining to him and he said i had a bad attitude.

I feel hes extremely unprofessional, does not offer anyone tips on how to do things better, (he just criticizes and moves on) and I dont want this person ruining my chances at my dream career.

What do I do?

[TNFF319]

You will have to be the bigger man and take it for a month. Some people are just a-holes. Good luck

[ndvfdff33]

You will have to be the bigger man and take it for a month. Some people are just a-holes. Good luck

I gotta go with TNFF here. Take it, carry on and before you know it, you'll be out of there and won't have to see this guy. I've had a few instructors like this in the Military. It's everywhere yah go and as big of a pain it is, you can't really do much. Keep up the good work.

[PureAdrenalin]

Just ignore the crap, and press on. I had a captain on my old department who would do pretty much the same BS..I never deserved it, but it always seemed to happen. The fun part was always seeing how I could prove him wrong.

The other option that nobody seems to have suggested yet...have you thought about talking to him about it? And trying to find out why he seems to have an issue with you? It might be worth your time.

[WaterbryVTfire]

Coming from the instructor side of it, we SOMETIMES push certain students we know can apply themselves more. Maybe not as much as this instructor seems to be doing, but to a point that we know is going to motivate the student.
Keep your chin up, don't let him get the better of you.

[CJR1977]

Thanks for the encouragement. I guess thats all Im truly looking for. Its tough to know you have made HUGE improvements and hear NOTHING but negativity from someone.

Like I said, my only fear is that he honestly thinks I suck and will bad mouth me to people that it would matter to. I know Im a good student and have learned a lot in school all around. I just dont want this guy screwing me out of a chance to prove myself. Because from what I can see...the "real world" fire department in this county is a lot different than this.

Thanks again for the encouragement!

C

[firemonkey311]

The same thing happened to me when i went through the academy. I just bit my lip and stuck through it. Then i came back for classes after completing FF I/II and showed them how serious i take this job.

[DrewOnFire]

Yes sir, no sir, how high sir. That needs to be your attitude for the rest of your academy. Once you get it behind you and have your certifications in hand, then you'll have a foot to stand on.

You will probably fill out an instructor evaluation afterwards, use it smartly. Don't let it turn into a one sided pissing match, those kind just get filled in the trash can. Keep it short and simple, state that Instructor ___ shows favoritism and acts in an unprofessional manner. That is about your only recourse.

[mdtaylor]

Perhaps it is like this....

This instructor feels that you are performing at 7.5 out of 10 of your capabilities, and the others are 10 of 10 of theirs. They have reached their limits of learning, and it is acceptable under the minimum requirements, at this point in the training. They cannot improve but you still can. The instructor is pushing you harder because he expects that you can excel and meet even higher than minimum standards.

I agree with Drew. Suck it up and strive to be your best for the next couple of weeks and turn that 7.5 into a 10, where you will have exceeded the minimum standards for FF II. Use the course/instructor evaluation form wisely. Different students are motivated differently and he may have just misinterpreted your primary method of motivation.

[randomhero]

I will agree with everyone above.. Maybe he's just trying to get every last bit of potential out of you, and he feels you havent peaked yet.. or maybe he is just a dick, either way you've put up with it too long to ruin it by opening up your mouth, keep you head up and finish out the class.. 1 month isnt worth it

[SouthSideQ]

Your actions on the training ground are all that will matter in the long run. Keep your mouth shut and your ears open. Focus on the quality of the training, not this jerk.