Needing advice from other Instructors.

[thesasafras]

situation 1. what your sensi did was smart. he took care of the mother and at the same time he had the girl sit down. i think i would have done th same thing.

situation 2. well i got to say that if you suspect he is taking it to bully other people, he shouldnt be taking it. and hes watched wresling? if he doesnt like forms, too bad.

[younwhagrl]

In our school there isn't a door..its a fitness center type thing..and 2 we don't have contracts...we believe they have the freedom to leave if they want and quit paying..we dont believe in tying people up to a contract and making them pay, we really aren't in it for the money as much as teaching the art to the students.

[ninjanurse]

I am getting ready to open my own school and I agree with you here...to an extent. I am not in it for the money, and I don't believe that a contract is the cure-all for retention but....I do believe that getting a committment from a student is important in teaching them responsibility and integrity. Likewise the committment you make to your students is just as (if not more) important.

[SenseiMike]

Hmmm hadn't really thought about the sex abuse potential when I wrote that. It's one of the reasons why I don't teach kids much, way too many headaches.

[Belasko]

1. The situation was handled pretty well. However I think that it needs a little bit of followup by speaking with the parent as to why she was not participating. Ideally this could be done after class when she hopefully won't feel as though you are making an example of her. This way it initially defuses the situation (the way it was handled). Then it also addresses the root of the problem and hopefully takes care of it as well. If it doesn't you can always politely remind her you are the instructor and her advice will be asked for when wanted.

2. In our school we are part of a university PE class so it makes it easier. Classes beyond white belt are closed except by instructor permission so we can block just these types of characters. Most MA schools don't have this luxery(sp?). Often when we see these problems in the beginner class we will speak w/ the student after class and remind them of what is expected and how things are ran. Only on two occasions have we actually asked them not to return, that I remember.

[Goju 4 Life]

you know that seen in the bootcamp moive where the drill sergeant screamns at the recruits: "I AM YOUR MOMMY NOW!"

[younwhagrl]

Yes, ninjanurse, commitment is all I'm looking for..when people go to pay me and their two weeks free is not up..I tell them no..do not pay me yet until you've bene in class for your free time of two weeks..see how you like the class in the two weeks then pay me.

you know that seen in the bootcamp moive where the drill sergeant screamns at the recruits: "I AM YOUR MOMMY NOW!"

HAHA! It's funny you say that b/c in instructor course this weekend we were talking about we have to get them motivated by counting really loud and it will make the students work harder..and my the instructor was like now don't be drill sergeants but...DO YELL LOUD..lol!

Thanks again for all the input guys!

[ninjette]

1st- I like what your instructor did by having them sit down, maybe have them stretch or something that way she gets better faster because shes stretching whatever she hurt.

2nd- You have to explain that martial artists are not trained to "fight" everything we do is to defend ourselves. Sparring is not fighting. Tell this guy that before he spars, he has to learn discipline and self control so he doesnt hurt anyone. Be blunt and tell him he's not ready because he doesn't understand the concepts of it.

[younwhagrl]

Well guys let me tell you about what this same guy did tonight! I was under the impression that he quit..well we got there and he was standing by the door, and we were talking to him, and of course he went into saying he wanted to spar or whatever, and then me and another instructor was talking about our Grandmaster and this guy was like ooh I wanna spar him so bad..and we were like..WHAT? and we were telling him it's not very smart to say that and things...this guy is getting on my nerves

[gojupralgo]

I would never conduct a children's class without at least one other adult present. This protects you and the child.