Instructor Training Courses

The role of the instructor in the IRS varies and includes several distinct delivery systems to present instruction, including: classroom, VEC webcast, CBT, OJT/OJI, virtual classroom, and blended training. Each of these modes of instruction requires participation by the instructor who manages the overall learning activity. Consequently, instructors must know the advantages and limitations of each delivery system and the corresponding management role.

Instructor training courses offered by the Service are designed to equip IRS personnel assigned to instructor duties with the knowledge, skill, and abilities required to present interesting, cost beneficial, and effective instruction.

Individuals selected to be classroom instructors must successfully complete Classroom Instructor Training (CIT) (ELMS 15382). CIT topics include training objectives, lesson planning, principles of adult learning, methods of instruction, use of instructional aids, managing the learning environment, and classroom management. CIT participants are given opportunities to practice these skills during multiple teaching exercises.

A Classroom Instructor Recommendation Sheet is completed for each student at the completion of the CIT. The original Recommendation Sheet is given to the student during the class close-out. One copy is sent through the appropriate business unit to the student's manager, and one copy will be retained in the instructor cadre file. Failure to successfully complete the CIT is discussed with the student and the student's immediate manager.

The requirement for completion of CIT may be waived at the discretion of a business unit functional training coordinator, if any of the following conditions apply:

The instructor has similar documented instructional experience (e.g. college, school systems, instructing in private sector business, other government agencies, and/or military services).

The instructor can demonstrate effective instructional skills and technical expertise equivalent to those gained by successful completion of the CIT. Prospective instructors can prepare and teach a simulated job-related technical lesson to a designated CDS evaluator and Subject Matter Expert (SME) to demonstrate effective instructional skills.

If the instructor will NOT be assigned to teach in the physical, face-to-face classroom environment, and will be instructing in online virtual classes, the instructor should instead take Instructor Basics for Virtual Instructors (IBVI), (ELMS 57096), followed by Virtual Classroom Instructor Training (ELMS 13733).

Final certification as a member of the instructor cadre is not given until a student instructor has satisfactorily completed his or her initial instructor assignment(s) - and has received an evaluative rating of M / Meets in all six competencies on Form 12088, Evaluation of Instructor Competencies.

The initial instructor assignment(s) should be of sufficient length and complexity to clearly indicate instructional ability. Sufficient length and complexity can depend on a number of factors, including the subject matter, the length and complexity of the lessons or course, and the instructional methodologies used by the instructor. Before an instructor is certified as a member of the instructor cadre, the initial instructor assignments should total at least 10 hours of instructional time. This would allow the new instructor to receive coaching and feedback on his or her teaching performance (in effect, similar to an OJT/OJI experience).

Ideally, the initial instructor assignment(s) should be to teach subject matter with which the new instructor is already familiar. This would allow the new instructor to concentrate on perfecting his or her instructor skills and techniques, rather than requiring extensive technical research during prep. (For example, a new Revenue Officer instructor could teach a Revenue Officer Recruit training class.)

If possible, the new instructor should not be required to perform the functions of a Lead Instructor during his or her initial instructor assignment(s). This would allow the new instructor to concentrate on perfecting his or her instructor skills and techniques, without the burden of additional administrative class/course duties.

Classroom Instructor Training Refresher (CITR) (ELMS 15383) should be attended by any instructor who has not taught within the previous 18 to 24 months and has not been given an upcoming teaching assignment. CDS or the business unit may also require attendance at CITR for any new instructor candidate who has not successfully completed his or her first instructional assignment within twelve months of successfully completing CIT.

The requirement for attendance at CITR may be waived at the discretion of the business unit functional training coordinator, depending on the instructor’s background and experience. Possible alternate methods include:

Demonstration of effective instructional skills and technical expertise equivalent to those gained by successful completion of CIT (e.g. prepare and teach a simulated job-related technical lesson to a qualified business unit official), and

A qualified business unit official has personal knowledge of the instructor’s current teaching competencies based on numerous successful teaching assignments and/or outside instructional experience.

Expert instructors selected to teach CIT must complete the Instructor Training Workshop (ITW) for CIT - (ELMS 15383).

Classroom instructors should attend any applicable train-the-trainer classes for specific courses they are assigned to teach.

Individuals selected to teach online virtual classes must successfully complete the following courses, as applicable:

Course 15382, Classroom Instructor Training (CIT) (or equivalent) if the instructor will be assigned to teach in both the physical, face-to-face classroom environment and the virtual classroom environment;

Course 57096 (IBVI), if the instructor will ONLY be assigned to teach in the virtual classroom environment (and has not previously completed Course 15382, CIT); followed by Virtual Classroom Instructor Training (VCIT) (ELMS 13733)

Project Sponsored Training Request (PSTR) Saba Meeting Event Leader training (ELMS 61984 or equivalent);

VCIT or equivalent. If the instructor will be assigned to teach in the virtual classroom environment and has already completed Course 15382(CIT), and

Course 61984, Saba Event training is a prerequisite for both IBVI and VCIT.