Earlier this month, I had the chance to staff my very first Instructor Development Course (IDC)—a huge step in my journey as a PADI IDC Staff Instructor. Even better, I got to staff it with Course Director Jillian Blakkan-Strauss, who is one of the most professional, down-to-earth, and supportive leaders I’ve had the pleasure of working with.

Staffing an IDC with a Course Director who not only upholds high standards but also makes the learning environment welcoming and even fun is so important. Jillian managed to keep things professional while injecting plenty of much-needed humor—especially during those dive theory sessions that can sometimes feel a little heavy. Her amazing ability to balance expert knowledge with a vibrant, engaging presence helped keep everyone energized and eager to learn.

For those who might not know, a PADI IDC is where Divemasters and Assistant Instructors take the next big step to become Open Water Scuba Instructors. The course is designed to prepare candidates to teach independently and confidently, and it includes several key components:

Workshops and Classroom Teaching: This involves teaching in a classroom environment focused on PADI courses, instructional techniques, and professional standards. It lays the foundation for effective and engaging teaching.
Knowledge Development Presentations: Candidates deliver academic presentations demonstrating their ability to teach PADI course material clearly and confidently.
Confined Water Teaching Presentations: Candidates practice briefings, demonstrations, and debriefings in a pool, lake, quarry , or other confined setting with real-time feedback and coaching.
Skill Circuit to Demonstration Quality: Candidates must demonstrate mastery of the 24 critical scuba skills at a demonstration-quality level, showing full control, technique, and clarity.
Open Water Teaching Presentations: Candidates conduct training dives in open water, including handling problem scenarios to build teaching confidence and competence.

A nondiving training aid during knowledge development presentations

We did several training dives at Tigertail Lake, where we had the chance to support candidates as they practiced and improved their teaching skills. Seeing them grow in confidence and capability was honestly one of the best parts of the whole experience. Helping future instructors succeed is what this is all about.

On top of the IDC, I also completed my second specialty instructor rating with Jillian—the PADI Fish Identification Instructor Specialty. We took a dive at Blue Heron Bridge, one of the coolest shore dives in the U.S.

Blue Heron Bridge is famous for its incredible biodiversity. Located where Lake Worth Lagoon meets the Atlantic Ocean, the tidal currents bring in a mix of tropical and temperate critters. It’s a hotspot for spotting things like seahorses, octopuses, frogfish, nudibranchs, and even manatees and rays. On that Fish ID dive, I got to see a batfish, squid, and chain pipefish—all brand new sightings for me! Jillian’s passion and knowledge made the dive super fun and educational, and I’m excited to bring that energy into my own teaching.

We also enjoyed three more dives at Blue Heron Bridge during the IDC, which was a perfect backdrop for putting our skills into practice and soaking up the local marine life.

Beyond the IDC and specialty courses, Jillian also teaches PADI Mermaid and Freediving, showing her diverse expertise and passion for sharing the underwater world in many ways.

Staffing this IDC helped me grow as both an instructor and a mentor, and reminded me why I love this career so much. Jillian is hands down the best mentor/Course Director any IDC Staff Instructor could ask for. If you’re thinking about becoming an instructor, you really should consider attending one of her IDCs—it’s a great environment to learn, grow, and have some fun along the way.

As for me, this experience has only strengthened my goal of becoming a Course Director someday—and I’m excited for the journey ahead.

I’m already looking forward to the next one!

BIG Congratulations to Braden and Eve on passing the IDC and IE! Super proud of you both!

Dive safe, explore passionately, and remember…