Teaching again...

[nosh276]

Well, I've started teaching again (last night was my first night actually). I'm teaching in a hallway of a school. I'm teaching kids TKD and some JJ who have been taught Karate. I'm taking over for a friend of mine. It's a completely different environment. It's very relaxed. No counting, no "yes sir", nothing. There's one student there, the oldest one, who seems to think he knows more than I do (purple belt). I felt a little lost. They didn't warm up the same or exercise the same. One steps were different, drills were different. I just, felt so out of place. I plan on bringing in some discipline (counting mainly). I'm not going to make them say "yes sir" because I'm trying to make the transition as simple as possible. Any advice?????

[DanielS]

In the hallway of a school?

[Forbiddenryu]

I just started teaching part-time at my school too.It took awhile for the adults who were older than me to respect me as a superior.Here are some things that changed their mind
1.Me doin 4 different types of hard kata -bb level-and stepping up to them asking them to do the same.They will answer...I dunno how. You say, then you learn I teach.
2.If you get a stubborn 25 year old with a big attitude...the best you can do is to spar him "in a friendly way" and kick his adult butt...bad. It seems that a 16 year old skinny kid beating up a full grown man in front of the entire class is "funny" to the class. That should do it and be hilarious at the same time. :karate: :bow:

[nosh276]

In the hallway of a school?

Yes, almost no room.

[kmtsd]

I taught in the hallway of my school once... it was very strange... people would occasionally walk by and stare... BUT I was very proud of my students because they were very disciplined and didn't seem to notice the spectators walking by (I do believe I was always more bothered by the lack of privacy in the hallway then my students were)--
anyway back to your problem: you know what is best for martial arts...you know that your students are NOT getting the full experience by this "unstructured" training... they are students and deep down they want to feel like they are learning the best stuff... they want to be proud of their "school". As a group I would line up everyone and explain to them that 1. they all are very motivated students 2. they have learned a lot 3. you would like to teach them even more 4. Part of what you would like to introduce is discipline and senority- because this shows respect for the art you are training in and for all those who have trained before you, passing the art from generation to generation. --you would like to make their experience more meaningful... ultimately when they put on their belt they will know how hard they have worked for it and what it means to them...

-I absolutely believe that you need to make them say "yes sir"....this is a sign of respect for their teacher. It is not a sign of inferiority or weakness. It is a way to show appreciation for the knowledge you are bringing them. -explain it that way and keep it simple. Then enforce it. Some people may quit -that happens when instructors change... others may actually appreciate you and your changes. They will feel prouder...
I don't know if any of this helped -but I hope so.
:laugh:

[lightninrod]

2.If you get a stubborn 25 year old with a big attitude...the best you can do is to spar him "in a friendly way" and kick his adult butt...bad. It seems that a 16 year old skinny kid beating up a full grown man in front of the entire class is "funny" to the class. That should do it and be hilarious at the same time. :karate: :bow:

You really think this is good advise? And what would you do if this fictitional 25 year old gave you a sample of what's been occupying their training for most of their life and you ended up on your butt in front of your class. That would be even more hilarious. Don't you think?


Nosh276,
Don't worry about the differences, and definitely don't go out of your way to make an example of anyone. Stick to what you know and assert yourself calmly and quietly as a new insructor with a new way of doing things. If you are firm in your resolve, and you make some fun of some sort out of your way of doing things, people will respect you and everything will go smoothly. Nothing breeds respect like calm, quiet confidence.

Best wishes,
Justin Mears

[Antares33]

Candace,

I fully realize that there are plenty of schools out there that require formality, bowing and the whole "yes, sir" "no, sir" thing. I do, however disagree that it is in any way necessary. I've participated in schools that pretty much run the spectrum when it comes to discipline, and beyond a shadow of a doubt I respect the instructor and higher belt ranks at the school least structured school I've ever been to.

My instructor gains my, and the other students respect by showing everyone in the school that he deserves his poistion through his actions on the mat every single class. We could all trade in our belts for white ones and I don't think it would make a shadow of a difference in the manner of respect any of the students have for each other or the instructor.

[Mekugi]

I just started teaching part-time at my school too.It took awhile for the adults who were older than me to respect me as a superior.Here are some things that changed their mind
1.Me doin 4 different types of hard kata -bb level-and stepping up to them asking them to do the same.They will answer...I dunno how. You say, then you learn I teach.
2.If you get a stubborn 25 year old with a big attitude...the best you can do is to spar him "in a friendly way" and kick his adult butt...bad. It seems that a 16 year old skinny kid beating up a full grown man in front of the entire class is "funny" to the class. That should do it and be hilarious at the same time. :karate: :bow:
Yeah..um...no offense here, but this post seems to be more about egotism than skill or teaching ability. You may want to keep that in check, as age has a way of making you more experienced and hopefully you'll be stripping yourself of hubris.


There's one student there, the oldest one, who seems to think he knows more than I do (purple belt). I felt a little lost. They didn't warm up the same or exercise the same. One steps were different, drills were different. I just, felt so out of place. I plan on bringing in some discipline (counting mainly). I'm not going to make them say "yes sir" because I'm trying to make the transition as simple as possible. Any advice?????

He may know more than you. It doesn't matter, you're in charge of the class, keep that in mind and try to be tactful about your decisions. As time goes on hopefully you will feel more at home; you will get to know everyone better and they you. Try to reserve your judgement and think of people in terms of gray, it helps more than trying to force or assert your authority. Always keep in mind that true, honest respect is a gift people give you and not something you throttle out of them.

[Forbiddenryu]

Well, I'm not trying to be egotistic, it was just a joke. To tell the truth, he did get me with a couple of hooks but I did side kick his ribs a few hard times and tornado kicked his head. lol :)

[tkdcanada]

Well, I'm not trying to be egotistic, it was just a joke. To tell the truth, he did get me with a couple of hooks but I did side kick his ribs a few hard times and tornado kicked his head. lol :)

If it was a joke it didn't sound like it and you gave no indication of it.....So you tornatdo kicked him in the head and side kicked him a few hard times in the ribs...Does that establish you as superior??? :rolleyes:

[Forbiddenryu]

In fighting yes. What you people don't understand is that ever since I started Martial Arts, everybody who had seen me perform told me I had a right to be cocky about it. I have won many awards and am very pround of what I do. So blah. :bow:

[Forbiddenryu]

In fighting yes. What you people don't understand is that ever since I started Martial Arts, everybody who had seen me perform told me I had a right to be cocky about it. I have won many awards and am very pround of what I do. So blah.Jeez, everytime I write my opinion on things I get my head bit off... :bow:

[tkdcanada]

In fighting yes. What you people don't understand is that ever since I started Martial Arts, everybody who had seen me perform told me I had a right to be cocky about it. I have won many awards and am very pround of what I do. So blah.Jeez, everytime I write my opinion on things I get my head bit off... :bow:
1) Writing your opinion doesn't get your head bit off, being cocky does
2) When you are cocky, you only make yourself look bad
3) It doesn't matter how good you are at something, it doesn't change who you are as a person (and the kind of person you are and the ATTITUDE you project onto others is what counts)
4) You SHOULD be proud of your accomplisments. Just realize that they probably mean more to you than to anyone else.
5) Just because people tell you something (that you have a right to be cocky) doesn't make it so
6) Congratulations on your awards.
7) The more CLASS you show in words and your actions, the more people will respect you as a fighter and a person.
8) Getting some good shots in does not establish you as a superior fighter, it was just your day. He got good shots in too. So what.
9) This is meant to be helpful feedback, take it as you wish

[Spartan]

.... everybody who had seen me perform told me I had a right to be cocky about it....
What don't you go wait outside the bar. When the biker gangs come out, you walk right up to the meanest looking one and spit at his face. Let's see if he thinks if you have a right to be cocky about "it". :D :laugh: :laugh:

[Forbiddenryu]

OK, but if the guy gets hurt too bad he's your fault... :laugh:

[Mekugi]

Heehee...it reminds me of analogy an instructor told me.

"You wanna learn to fight? Go into a biker bar, find the biggest, meanest guy in the place and spit in his beer.

While you are in the hospital, realizing that you are neither immortal nor invincible, think of what he did to you and how.

After you heal up and paid your insurance off, go into another biker bar, find another big, mean biker and spit in his beer. Now, try to do to him what the first guy did to you."

DRAGON STANCE!

OK, but if the guy gets hurt too bad he's your fault... :laugh: