How did you become an Instructor and would you recommend it?

[Nick_UKWC]

I think I might like to do it, in a few years if I'm ready and able.

 

I find Wing Chun very rewarding and helping new people even more so, even though I've only been doing it for 14 months or so. Would you recommend it?

 

What are the best and worst things about it? As a job how does it compare to your expectations?

[Shorinryu Sensei]

I think I might like to do it, in a few years if I'm ready and able.

 

I find Wing Chun very rewarding and helping new people even more so, even though I've only been doing it for 14 months or so. Would you recommend it?

 

What are the best and worst things about it? As a job how does it compare to your expectations?

 

I became the instructor due to default basically. My sensei, a 3rd Dan, left the state and his senior student, Pat W. was a 2nd Dan. Pat didn't want, or like to teach, so quit the arts instead of taking over the class...so if the class was to continue, it was up to me to lead it.

 

Would I recommend it? Oh YEAH!!! There is no better way to learn IMHO than to teach it! Plus, where else can you go where people will pay you to abuse them?

 

I don't teach martial arts as my "job". Rather, I do it part-time as a regular 2 nights/week class. I don't look at it as "work", but rather that I have knowlege and experiences that I want to pass down to others that have the desire to learn. I throughly enjoy teaching and look forward to it, and always leave with a smile on my face and in a good mood.

[AngelaG]

I volunteered to take a class of kids when I was on a training camp in Cyprus, because their head instructor had an important appointment come up. I was speaking to my instructor afterwards and saying that I would love to teach karate one day (I've always loved working with kids) and he said that all I had to do was talk it through with him and something could be sorted out. He was incredibly supportive, and I suppose probably quite chuffed that it was his teaching which had made me so enthusiastic.

 

So I assist with 4 lessons a week now (2 juniors lessons and 2 teen lessons) and I love it! And as Shorinryu Sensei rightly points out, there is nothing that improves your own karate as much as teaching it to someone else.

 

Good luck!

[searcher]

How? I was already running a boxing club that I had inherited from my boxing coach and I was assisting with the adult classes at the dojo. One night after class my instructor came up to me and asked if I would be interested in teaching a class that he was getting ready to start. He said it was for beginner teens and I thought it would be fun. Within two months I was running 4 classes a week by myself and assisting with all of the advanced classes.

 

Would I reccommend it? Without a doubt. It is great to see students learning what you are teaching. And as you teach it makes you learn the techniques inside and out. Before you know it you won't be the same without it.

[pineapple]

I began teaching because a couple of my friends kept asking me to teach them. I asked my instructor and he told me to do it!

 

There are so many rewards that come with teaching such as seeing the happiness that you can bring to others.

 

The down side that I did not foresee was people leaving the school. I thought that people only left when they were not satisfied however many of my students left due to job schedules, moving, and many left when they encountered personal problems in their life such as wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend problems.

 

Some people left after getting hit and they couldn't handle it.

[searcher]

pineapple, I feel your pain on losing students. I have had my own students leave my classes and go to My Instructors classes, because I was "too hard on them".

 

Ans for the ones that left because they could not take a small hit I say, "this is a dojo, not a knitting class". If they wanted to learn to dance they should have went to one of the three dance schools in town.

 

We all have to deal with frustration and setbacks, but we have to keep on going.

[Straight Blast]

My dojo is rough....well what can you expect from a dojo that teaches street combat?

 

Ive seen people come and go in one day.Some could not take hits or some people did other MA's like tkd,and were just not intrested since we dont really do high kicks to the face,or kung fu guys who totally hated it since it wasnt as traditional as their art.

 

I hope to one day open up my own dojo...well when im finished with school first xD

[G95champ]

1. I was asked to teach by some of our students when our teacher moved out of state. They wanted me to get them ready for their next text and he would come in and test them. So I sort of feel into teaching. Also at the same time some women approached me about doing a self defense class and one led two and next thing I know Im teaching and prob. always weill.

 

2. Teaching is not for everyone. It takes a special person to do so. I have been wrestling with that question for myself of late. I love the art and to train and Im also enjoy teaching but time and money does not allow me to do it as it should be done.

 

If you are going to teach one day here are some steps you must take to be sucessful IMO.

 

1. Make at least 2nd Dan. This means you have been it at least 5 years if not more and have the ability to test your own students.

 

2. Make sure you are recconized by a major org. or assoc. You dont have to be a strick member but people want to know that your legit and if you are being reconized is no big deal.

 

3. Plan on doing it as long as you have students who want to do it. IF you ask them to make a commiatment you make the same commitment to them. Dont quit.

 

4. Respect all Fear none. Treat everyone the same and dont be afraid to discipline or confromt bad students who are killing your class.

 

Good Luck

[G95champ]

1. I was asked to teach by some of our students when our teacher moved out of state. They wanted me to get them ready for their next text and he would come in and test them. So I sort of feel into teaching. Also at the same time some women approached me about doing a self defense class and one led two and next thing I know Im teaching and prob. always weill.

 

2. Teaching is not for everyone. It takes a special person to do so. I have been wrestling with that question for myself of late. I love the art and to train and Im also enjoy teaching but time and money does not allow me to do it as it should be done.

 

If you are going to teach one day here are some steps you must take to be sucessful IMO.

 

1. Make at least 2nd Dan. This means you have been it at least 5 years if not more and have the ability to test your own students.

 

2. Make sure you are recconized by a major org. or assoc. You dont have to be a strick member but people want to know that your legit and if you are being reconized is no big deal.

 

3. Plan on doing it as long as you have students who want to do it. IF you ask them to make a commiatment you make the same commitment to them. Dont quit.

 

4. Respect all Fear none. Treat everyone the same and dont be afraid to discipline or confromt bad students who are killing your class.

 

Good Luck

[tkdBill]

I have enjoyed training in Martial Arts for many years, and I always envied my instructor for his talent, his teaching abilities, and that he could do what he loves for a living.

 

So, I decided to train hard, observe as many instructors as possible, and get my instructor certification. Now I do what I love for a living too!

 

I recommend it because not only is it following your passion, but teaching helps your own technique in ways that are not possible any other way. It's also rewarding to share your passion with so many other people!