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NASRO Instructor Process

We are glad you are interested in being a part of the NASRO instructor cadre. NASRO serves as the gold standard for school-based law enforcement training. To maintain that status, NASRO Instructors are required to go through a rigorous process designed to give them the resources needed to excel as they train the next generation of school safety experts. NASRO is continuously seeking instructors who are passionate about training other school safety stakeholders to keep children safe.  

Basic Course Instructor Required Qualifications 

  • Current member of NASRO in good standing
  • Hold the NASRO National SRO Practitioner certificate
  • Currently assigned as a school resource officer or SRO supervisor
  • Have three years of experience as a school resource officer 
  • Have at least 40 hours of instructor experience within the last two years 
  • Hold at least a two-year college degree or comparable work experience
  • Be willing and able to abide by all NASRO Instructor policies and procedures

School administrators, educators, juvenile probationary officers, and school mental health professionals meeting the specialty instructor qualifications may apply to become an Adolescent Mental Health Training (AMHT) or Project Unite specialty instructor. Complete details here.  

NASRO Instructor Application Process

Applicants must submit the following by email to the NASRO Training Director. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

1) A recent 30-minute video of you instructing adult learners on a school safety-related topic (or a topic related to the AMHT or Project Unite course for specialty instructor applicants)

Tips:

  • Select a topic you are passionate about.
  • Select an audience other than your co-workers. When training co-workers the level of professionalism is often not the same as that demonstrated in other training situations.
  • Select a training location where there will be minimal distractions such as interruptions and background noise.
  • Consider using a microphone for adequate audio.
  • Ensure you and your PowerPoint or presentation method are visible in the video.
  • Do not include break times in your video.
  • Use what you have (cellphone, laptop). There is no need for fancy recording equipment.
  • Know and engage your audience.
  • This should be your absolute BEST! After all, this is a competitive application process.

2) Introduction video (10 minutes max)

This is a video separate from your training video. Introduce yourself, tell us a little about yourself, and explain why you want to be a NASRO Instructor. Provide information about your training video, such as who you are training and why you selected the topic.

3) A letter of support from you Chief or Sheriff (or equivalent for specialty instructor applicants)

The letter must clearly state their support of you becoming a NASRO instructor, their understanding of the time commitment required of you, and your availability to travel for NASRO throughout the U.S.

4) Documentation of instructor experience

List and explain your experience as an instructor for law enforcement officers and/or other adult learners for the past two years. Applicants must have at least 40 hours of instructor experience within the last two years.

5) Professional biography highlighting your relevant experience and knowledge (No more than one page)

6) Resume (No more than three pages)

7) Written explanation of why you would like to become a NASRO Instructor and how you plan to add value to the NASRO Instructor cadre (No more than two pages)

8) Current headshot/photo

9) Completed application form

Applications are accepted from September 1 – April 30. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

Review and Selection Process

The application packet will be reviewed by the Training Director, Training Development Coordinator, and Selection Committee.

A virtual interview will be scheduled for the applicant with the Training Director, Training Development Coordinator, and/or a member of the Selection Committee.

Based on the application packet and interview, a determination will be made to accept or decline the application. Accepted applicants will begin the NASRO Instructor Qualifying Process as described below. This process must be completed in 18 months.

NASRO Instructor Qualifying Process

Mentor Instructor

A NASRO mentor instructor (MI) will be assigned to work with accepted applicants during the qualifying process. The MI will help ensure that the probationary instructor has all the needed materials, information, skills, etc. to become a high-quality NASRO instructor.

Step 1: Audit

Due to the continuous revisions and updates of the curriculum, it is important to see the course in its entirety before teaching it. There would be no registration cost, however, travel and other expenses will be the probationary instructor’s responsibility.

Step 2: Probationary Period

During the probationary period, a minimum of two classes must be taught. The probationary instructor will coordinate with the mentor instructor and course lead instructor to teach approximately one-half of the curriculum during an assigned class. For the next assigned class, the probationary instructor must teach the sections of the curriculum they did not teach during the first class.

For each class taught, the probationary instructor will be evaluated by the NASRO instructor(s), class attendees, Training Development Coordinator, and/or Training Director. This information will be shared with the Training Director who will decide to if the probationary instructor will move to the qualifying phase, be required to complete additional classes, or be remove from the process.

Step 3: Qualifying

During this phase, the probationary instructor will be assigned to teach the entire course curriculum and complete the Class Coordinator responsibilities. The Training Director, Training Development Coordinator, and/or a qualifying instructor will complete a comprehensive evaluation of the probationary instructor. A complete review of the evaluations, along with previous evaluations and input from the MI, will determine if the probationary instructor will be granted full NASRO Instructor status.

General Processes and Procedures:

The qualifying process must be completed within 18 months from acceptance. Failure to do so will result in removal from the process.

 

The Training Director or Training Development Coordinator will conduct an instructor orientation with the probationary instructor to explain NASRO Instructor policy and procedures.

Based on evaluations, the process may be extended through a remedial phase, which may include observing other instructors, additional course assignments, or removal from the process.

Completing the qualifying process certifies the instructor to teach the NASRO Basic SRO course or specified specialty course (AMHT or Project Unite). Additional requirements must be met to teach any other course.

The Training Director will make all instructor assignments. Requesting a specific date and/or location does not guarantee the assignment. Many factors determine when a request can be granted.

The probationary instructor must notify the Training Director of any change in job assignment/position. A determination will be made if the probationary instructor will be allowed to continue in the process.

The Training Director or Training Development Coordinator will observe probationary instructors at least once during the process, if at all possible.

 

NASRO instructors must agree to teach only the NASRO curriculum as written and not add to or detract from the NASRO Training Program without written approval from NASRO.

All NASRO instructors are required to teach a minimum of two NASRO classes in their entirety per calendar year.

 

The Executive Director and/or Training Director will determine any exceptions to the qualifying process. If you have any questions, please contact the NASRO Training Director.

 

For more details or to download the instructor application, click here.