Becoming a Trainer

The Trainers group periodically accepts new members via application. New Trainers undergo an eight-week training program outlined below and agree to the Trainer Agreement.

Trainers Training Program

This outline represents the time commitment required for being an instructor Trainer with The Carpentries. Please read through and check to see that you are able to commit to the responsibilities outlined below.

Instructor Trainers agree to abide by the Code of Conduct in all communications and interactions with The Carpentries community.

  • Trainees who are not previously certified Instructors will be asked to concurrently pursue Instructor certification

  • Read How Learning Works by Susan Ambrose and discuss in book club format with Trainers-in-training. Preliminary reading schedule.

    • Time commitment: 1 hour per week for 10 weeks meetings; can miss one meeting; ~10 hours reading

  • Join Trainer meetings

    • Time commitment: 1 hour per month; review minutes for missed meetings

  • Shadow a teaching demonstration session (previously certified Instructors)

    • Time commitment: 1 hour one time

  • Shadow at least half a day of an online instructor training event (previously certified Instructors)

    • Time commitment: 4 hours one time

  • Agree to fulfill the duties outlined in the Trainer Agreement for a period of 1 year.

Total time commitment for previously certified Instructors to become certified Instructor Trainers: ~30 hours over 3 month period, including reading and prep time

Trainers Training Reading Schedule

For the most recent Trainer Training schedule and discussion questions, see the Trainer Training Curriculum

Reviewing New Trainer Applications

  1. Director of Instructor Training and Carpentries Core Team will decide on goals for Trainer recruitment.

  2. Trainer Application will be modified to reflect these goals.

  3. Open application period will be announced via Carpentries platforms including Twitter, Facebook, the Discuss email list, and blogs. Ask relevant community members to promote within their networks as well. Personal invitations can be sent with this email template.

  4. Ensure communication emphasises overall goals.

  5. Ask 2-3 existing Trainers to help review applications in line with defined goals. There is no rubric for this. Reviewers should leave notes supporting their rankings.

  6. Consolidate rankings, adding discretionary points for gaps in representation by characteristics like gender, race, geography, and experience.

  7. Notify accepted applicants using this email template.

  8. Schedule Book Club meetings across time zones.

  9. Inform the Communications Lead so he/she can promote this.

  10. Update the Trainer training Etherpad.

  11. Update the Reading Guides as needed.

  12. Take attendance at all Book Club meetings. At most one absence is allowed.

  13. After Book Club is over, remind Trainers to complete follow up tasks.

  14. Send out Trainer certificates.

  15. Inform the Communications Lead so he/she can promote the new cohort.