Instructors
Don Dawson
E-mini Futures, Commodity Futures, and Personal Trading Plan Instructor
Don has been trading the futures markets since 1987. His perseverance through the ups and downs of trading, openness
to experience of others, balanced tolerance for risk and patience to wait for his setups are a few of his strengths as a
trader.
Don obtained his series 3 license in 1990. Soon afterwards he registered as a Commodity Trading Advisor with the National
Futures Association and formed his company Majestic Futures. He has been a guest speaker on Technical Analysis at Johns
Hopkins University and a guest speaker on the Business of Trading Radio Show in Washington, DC.
He continues to actively trade his personal account on a daily basis when not teaching for Online Trading Academy.
His teaching method has been referred to as "down to earth". He understands the student's need for a structured
environment in the early stages of their trading education. He uses humor to convey information in an accessible way.
He is excited about sharing his passion for trading with others. A quote he likes is "A candle loses nothing by lighting
another candle." He is now looking for a balance in life between trading and teaching others what he has learned from his many years
of trading. He acknowledges that the best teacher is a student – always in learning mode and wanting to learn more by teaching.
He looks forward to working with each of you in one of his classes. He is also writing articles for Online
Trading Academy's free newsletter "Lessons From the Pros" and hopes students find this a valuable resource.
What students are saying about Don Dawson:
"Excellent instructor, genuinely interested in sharing with the students all he knows. Don doesn't hold back on his best ideas
like so many other traders. Maintained a very positive atmosphere throughout the course."
James M., June 2010
"This is my first experience with futures. Don is excellent! His manner and style of teaching made the material
easy to understand. Most importantly, the trading techniques he shared gives me confidence that I can consistently take money from the
market."
Todd R., June 2010
"Don created additional material for the class. It is very helpful and very considerate of him to spend personal time to
create additional material to share with us."
Lee J., May 2010
"Don's ability to balance the syllabus while simultaneously answering questions that provide additional insight
was impressive. His genuine support & interest in seeing a student succeed is uncommon - his patience and diligence in answering
questions on advanced trading by sharing knowledge is truly remarkable! I have found him always available and supportive towards your
trading objectives...He brings so much knowledge and insight that any discussion with him is truly a value add! Definitely an asset to
any organization."
Aravind M., April 2010
"Very good approach. His presentation was very comfortable, made you feel at home. Trader turned instructor is
what I hoped for because he was hands-on in a topic that I didn’t know anything about. He showed that it was similar to my knowledge
of equities, it has given me a help to now start studying futures. Well done."
Phil D., April 2010
"Don was clear and concise. He was very patient and maintained control of the class in a very professional manner. Very
knowledgeable and kept things interesting. The handouts he provided were very helpful as well."
Mary-Lou D., April 2010
"Don does an outstanding job in making commodities easy to understand, and supports the classroom material with his own
experiences."
Jerry F., March 2010
"The instructor's attitute and his desire to teach -- it is a joy for the students."
Dennis B., March 2010
"Don was very professional. He is also obviously very knowledgeable. His ablity to answer questions clearly and simply was
invaluable!!! I thought he was patient and thorough in his presentation of the VAST amount of material."
Christine W., February 2010
"Don has an excellent trading knowledge as well as practical expertise on where and how to apply it. More importantly, he is
able to deliver this information in an uncomplicated way and demonstrate what the most important aspects of the trading technique are. Great time was
spent on market psychology and proper mind set for a trader to be successful, as well as understanding of who is on the other side of your trade.
Great class, great instructor, plenty of benefit for the time spent. Thank you Don!"
Dmitry P., December 2009
"Don is highly organized and so, didn't waste our valuable class time. He didn't let students go off on tangents or otherwise
interrupt the flow of the class. He taught us with-trend and anti-trend strategies and when to use them. He taught us entries, trade management, and
exits. He presented clearly, precisely, and completely, and made sure everyone was on board. He is very knowledgeable and an excellent teacher."
Ed P., December 2009
"It was a pleasure being a student in Mr. Dawson's Futures Class. I was amazed how thoroughly he was
organized; I would definitely recommend him to other students. I have taken classes with Online Trading Academy before but the
experience and knowledge I got from this class, was the best. If this changed my life in any way I would give credit to Online
Trading Academy but most all my big thanks goes to Mr. Dawson."
Bobby G., November 2009
"I thought the class was brilliant throughout. I feel much more confident now in taking trades. Don provided
very concise instructions on how to enter, manage, & exit trades. At the end of the day, we trade to make money and enjoy our
respective lifestyle choices. I believe the course has enhanced my ability to do so. Thanks Don."
David B., November 2009
"Don was a fantastic instructor. He provided a wealth of valuable information and his enthusiasm for
teaching was evident throughout."
Julian M., November 2009
"I have attended various courses with Online Trading Academy and this has been one of my favorite classes by
far. Don is an excellent instructor and trader and has created, along with the basic course content, a very hands-on practical
course. By demonstrating strategies clearly and working through as a team it has enabled the whole class to practice these
strategies in a safe simulated environment on an individual basis. Don has also clearly established decisive risk management
strategies to follow and we covered the importance of trading plans, including spending time as a team designing a detailed plan
step by step. We have also touched on trading psychology within the course which, again, is very invaluable to review. I feel I
have gained a great deal from attending this course and it will enhance my trading. Thank you."
Louise C., November 2009
"Best class I have ever attended. Don organized the week to include more than just the syllabus. He included
strategy planning exercises, extra trading information, and places to look for advanced material which will give us an edge while
in the market."
Susan W., November 2009
"The instructor, Don Dawson, delivered the course in an easy to understand manner. He not only knows how to
trade, he is an excellent teacher. I have nothing but praise for his style of delivery. Thanks Don."
Vincent W., November 2009
"This E-mini class was the best class that I attended. Well worth my time and money. The instructor (Don
Dowson) is an amazing teacher with excellent teaching skills and trading experience. His method of teaching is the best I have seen
with his humor and best explanation of each and every question. I have learned a lot of great things about trading and about my own
self from this class. Thanks to Don I am much more confident now in my trading than before. I highly appreciate Don's effort and
expertise."
Yousaf B., November 2009
"Don Dawson is a very well-qualified instructor who has the ability to present the material in a very clear, well-organized
way, and is willing to spend as much time as necessary to make sure all the students understand the presentation. I would definitely recommend this
class to others who want to gain an understanding of the futures markets."
Helena K., October 2009
"Don Dawson has 22 years experience as a professional trader. He is very kind and very funny. He concisely explains a handful
of tried & true strategies to a class of beginners to more advanced traders. We saw many of his strategies bring in substantial profits on our
simulated accounts. I'm all pumped up and ready to practice on the simulator. My trading plan created in class should help me make real money."
Susan L., October 2009
""The best instructor I have had in years. Don is very understanding and he always manages to get the lesson across so we all
could understand it."
Robert H., October 2009
"Don made sure we understood the concepts he was teaching and answered all questions. He added from his own
experience when appropriate."
Jim S., E-Mini Trader, August 2009
"Outstanding Professional Trader who has the ability to teach several of his key strategies to a class.
Also very kind and enjoyable to be with."
Susan L., E-Mini Trader, August 2009
"Don Dawson is a truly gifted instructor. He has great energy and knowledge, and a true desire to share
his skills with the students."
Mike D., March 2009
"Don Dawson is an incredible individual. He brings his vast professional trading experience to the
classroom in a very encouraging manner which engages the entire class in the concepts he shares. He very diligently covers the
course material while presenting his personal perspective on trading, which, obviously, has been extremely successful."
Russ W., March 2009
"I would recommend this class to anyone that wants to learn the true world of trading E-mini futures. On
a scale of 1 - 10, Don's score would be 10."
Ida B., March 2009
"I enjoyed every minute that I spent in this course. Don had tons of knowledge in the futures markets,
and he was very clear in explaining and answering questions. The course was very insightful and valuable. The students were very
friendly, and I had a great learning experience of all! Thank you, Online Trading Academy!"
Hayley T., March 2009
"I enjoyed the knowledge that Don Dawson has acquired during his trading life. He paid attention to
presenting the risks associated with E-mini trading and warned many times of traps that are often fallen into when the markets are
slow."
Chuck F., December 2008
"Don was very professional and made the course very easy to understand. Also, Don was great about sharing
his personal trading techniques. Thank you Online Trading Academy for a great learning experience."
John R., December 2008
"Don is passionate and extremely knowledgeable in the subject matter with a long history in trading."
Steven B., December 2008
"Don has taught me 5 or 6 things this week which will last me a lifetime. Some of his strategies are
phenomenal! It is clear he has lots of experience! Some of his websites tips were excellent!"
Philippe M., October 2008
"Don knows his subject, and did an outstanding job teaching it."
Theodore J., August 2008
"Don has a fantastic personality. He is the most willing to share of all instructors I have had so
far. He does not hold back his personal tools and trading plans. He is completely devoted and invested in our education and
success."
Mike F., July 2008
"Don made a great effort to be clear and keep information simple and useable. Very friendly and
approachable."
Kate D., July 2008
"Don's got a great "down home" attitude; good sense of humor. Seems very experienced. Good model
for humility. Engaged all students."
Mike P., July 2008
"Don's instruction was easy to understand and patient. Also the fact that he is a great person overall
made learning that much more comfortable and easy."
Sidney H., July 2008
"Don is a great instructor! I liked his insight in the markets and the platform and his personal
attention."
Russell M., June 2008
"Really enjoyed Don Dawson's instruction and knowledge of this E-mini course. His experience as a trader
came through in his teaching."
John R., May 2008
"Don Dawson did an excellent job. Very knowledgeable and cooperative. He's a good man."
Richard K., May 2008