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

[nanfeishen]

Had very little direction in my life, was drifting from job to job, but always had an interest in my martial arts, one day my instructor asked me what i was planning to do for the future, i didnt have a clue, he suggested i act as a teacher for one of his junior classes one evening, and i agreed. I have never looked back. I had a good response from the students, and he then took it upon himself to train myself and a number of other students as instructors, this was in 1990, 1995 i started teaching on a full time basis, started of with 2 students the first evening, to date i am the only one still teaching, running classes in 4 different locations, 2 gyms, 1 hall, a martial arts school where i share premises with another teacher, and i have a student in another town that falls under my tutelage, and who runs his own school.

 

Is it worthwhile?, without a doubt!, Is it rewarding?, totally. If you enjoy working with people, If you enjoy imparting Knowledge,if you enjoy giving of yourself to your students, then i would say go for it. The financial rewards are sometimes a little slow, but there are far more important things in my eyes than simply making money off my martial arts. Dont hold back from your students, dont be too arogant about your knowledge, if you dont know the answer to a question,dont make one up, find out and come back to the student with the answer, i challenge my students with information and tell them if they think it is untrue go and research, read, and look up.

 

Respect your students, for without a student you cannot call yourself a teacher.

[Krazy Carol]

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!

 

I have to say that this sounds like what happened with me. I had been working with kids for years and when my instructor invited me into his instructors course I was only a purple belt. that was two years ago. Now I work at the dojo. I teach youth and younger. I run the two weekly preschool tumblers program... the only karate in the class is focus, attention, and stranger danger... If I can get a half decent shuto I'm estatic. I love it.

[embm]

We are required to teach as part of our black belt training. That being said, I have to agree with what was posted here earlier... you never learn so much as when you teach!

[MASIsshinryu]

Two people (one a close friend that became an instructor, the other my instructor who became my friend) asked me to start by filling in for them, when they were unable to be at class. Shortly thereafter, my instructor asked me if I could take over one of his two locations, as his non-MA obligations were limiting his teaching time.

 

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Teaching ranks very near the top of my list of things that are fulfilling. It is a daily challenge, emotionally, physically and spiritually, but gives back to you so much that you rarely feel "drained" by it.

[tigerclaw2]

Well you could be an instructor for ussd for around$12,000-$15,000 if you want?

[y2_sub]

My sensei put me in charge of the junior class ( as a matter of fact , he forced me ) , and thats how i started to learn how to instruct , I am still a student at my style , I am not willing to be a full time instructor untill I stop fighting in tournaments , & i wouldn't recommand that someone starts instructing b4 he gets the tournaments fighting knowledge

[younwhagrl]

Well my instructor asked me and another guy, when I was a green belt, if I would be interested in teaching..and i was like..SURE! So we went looking around for a building and had no luck, and now im a red belt, and i've been teaching for a month in my own school...would I recommend it...YES! I was told by my instructor who was told by his first employeer that if you want to make a difference in people's lifes...TEACH..whether it be martial arts or school..teach something! You also learn by teaching..so it is definitly rewarding! I am working on become a certified instructor. I have a part time school, and I work with kids mostly and I love it more than anything.

[kivikala]

As I recall, and memory is really fuzzy as it was a long, long, long time ago... I remember being a green belt leading a class (that being demonstrating techniques which sensei wanted done) and that role of being the dojo leader happened more and more and then one day I found myself in the drivers seat. The school eventually was passed on to me and the rest is history. That may be over simplifying it, but it's close enough.

Would I recommend becoming an instructor? Yes, if you have the talent and the honest desire to teach. Everyone should at some time try their hand at teaching, as it will show you how much you really do not know.

[jnpnshr411]

Well i became a teacher basiclly my sensei slowly let me take more and more control of the class until it got to the point where he is in his office and I am taking the class. As everyone else has said teaching is a great thing. I have almost a year now teaching. There are times when it is more difficult but in the end your understanding of everything will increase since you have to make others understand. It is also wonderful when you can see the young ones come up through the rank.

[ninjette]

I began teaching when my instructor told me it would help me with my material. And it has really helped me a lot. You find that people learn so many things the never would have learned when they have to teach it. I would definately recommend it!