To many students for to less instructors

[RJCKarate]

As I moved away from where I was studying Karate, and my style was not available I decided to open my own school about a year and a half ago.

I run 3 classes a week, and have 15 students attend 2 and 6 attend the other (it's a senior class).

I run all 3 classes myself, and do not have anyone in my current ranks who would be capable of running a class without my direct supervision. My most senior student is a 6th Kyu, about to become a 5th Kyu.

The situation I have is: I would like to find someone who I could have as my Assistant Instructor, so I could more effectively teach the students.

Now, it would not be possible to get one of my students to a satisfactory level in a limited amount of time. The second problem is that my style is quite limited in my country, let alone my area, so there isn't the possibility of finding someone who has studied my style.

The third option is find someone from a similar style (this would most likely be something like: Wado-Ryu, Shito-Ryu or a Shorin-Ryu style) and then give them some training to convert the differences.

The question I pose to other instructors: Have you ever been in a similar situation where you wanted to get another (assistant) instructor, but you could not get one from your school/style/students - and if so, how did you resolve the problem?

[tonydee]

I've been in a similar situation, but just battled on alone.

Sounds like the third option - finding someone experienced from another style - is the only viable one.

How much you need or should want them to adopt your style is an interesting point though... if it's just for occasions where someone in your family's really sick, getting married etc., then you can probably introduce someone as a guest instructor every now and then so the students see you teaching together and get used to the person, then have them run an entire class as needed. I don't think it matters that much what the other art is, as long as you respect the person's attitude and ability. It could be a chance for them to learn a little joint locking, break falls & rolls, some throws, chokes, locks, weapons technique etc.. Alternatively, you could get someone to use some of their exercises - stretching, conditioning, outward forms like step sparring or practicing kata their existing kata with different focuses (e.g. speed in sub-sequences, explosiveness of individual movements, peripheral vision and awareness) where differences in the exact execution of techniques won't be the focus for students.

If you want someone to take over a regular class, then they really do need to know your style (unless you accept they'll be learning some hybrid).

Cheers,

Tony

[sensei8]

Personally I've not ever experienced this for myself. However, I've a close friend of mine who holds black belts, yondan and above, in several Japanese/Okinawan styles.

This allowed him to help a new dojo. This new dojo was owned by the 3rd Dan's father. Classes had grown expeditiously in no time at all. The father approached my friend and asked my friend for his help.

They discussed it over several weeks and came to an understanding. My friend stayed for several years to assist this new dojo. I thought it was big of him and neither of the three never questioned that my friend was interested in taking over the 3rd Dans dojo.

My friend knew the three K's of that styles, and this was a big stumbling block that never appeared. Any and all promotions were conducted by the 3rd Dan and my friend.

Their professional relationship was both affable as well as amicable. Their professional relationship served them both well in their needs. In time, the 3rd Dan was promoted to 4th Dan, and my friend was promoted to Nanadan, and opened his new and bigger dojo.

Both still exchanged with each other through private workouts and during shared seminars.

I applaud them both for setting aside any misconceived notions and concerns because their first duties came to the students first and foremost, not their egos.

[ninjanurse]

It takes a long time to develop an instructor and even then you never know what you are going to get in the long run. Letting an outsider in to the school, to me, is an even more daunting task as you do not know them as you do someone who has been with you for many years. That being said: I was an outsider that came into a system and started teaching within a few months ...so it is not impossible.

Due to the size of the association I was granted a charter and have been teaching 80 students by myself for quite some time. I would love to have an assistant (and I will in time) but in reality-the most experienced and high ranking instructor present should be teaching class anyway so it is a non-issue at this point (at least at my school) since I am there all the time.

[bushido_man96]

I think that this is something that all instructors should consider before taking on the challenge of opening their own school.

Like at my school, my instructor likes for me to have a class to teach, but I can't do it right now...my schedule just doesn't allow it. Also, my rank "requires" me to be teaching in my organization. But, if I can't, I'm not going to bust my butt over trying to get it done. After all, it is his school, and he is the one making the money off of it. In the end, I see it as his responsibility to cover the classes that he offers, and any help he can get is just a bonus.

Maybe I've been putting up with this for so long now that I'm a bit jaded on the subject. Its not my intent to turn this into a rant against you, so please don't take it that way. But, it may be one of those deals where you will have to go it alone until you have someone capable and willing to help you out from within.

[RJCKarate]

To clarify, I don't plan on handing my classes off to my assistant, I will still be present at all classes.

My job (the one I earn my money from) however can often have last-minute requirements for me to stay at work, and as such, sometimes I have to reschedule a class at the last minute (this might happen once every 2 months), so an assistant would be handy here.

Secondly, having an assistant where I could occasionally split the class, so it would be easier to teach different level kata or technique would help, so as not to hinder advancing students and not to rush new students.

Once again, the idea is not for the assistant to take over my classes. When people sign up, they expect me to be teaching, thus, I teach.

Cheers.

[Montana]

The first class I taught on my own as a new shodan (just 3 months) was in the Fall of 1974 in a small farm town in Northcentral Montana. It consisted of 27 junior/senior high school students. None of my new students had any prior experience in any form of the martial arts, and it was interesting...to say the least!

After 3 months or so, I had students that were able to take new students to the side and teach them the basic blocks, kicks, stances, punches, etc, which freed me up to teach the rest of the class.

There were times that I also was unable to attend the class and had to cancel on short notice. I made it clear to my students that this would be rare, but would happen sometimes and that we would schedule a makeup class sometime within a month to make it up. It was never a problem.

As for teaching a class by yourself, well, I've had classes of well over 50 students and I was the only instructor. You have to intermix your more experienced students among your newer students so that they can help them as you go along. It works very well, as most people are more than willing to help others.

If you can't handle 15 students, my suggestion would be to take no new students and the class will eventually decrease in size for one reason or the other, until you have a class size that you're comfortable with. That, or split the class into two groups (not recommended) that train at different times.

[sensei8]

Speaking of ratio. In your opinion: What's the acceptable ratio formula of instructor(s) to total students?

[Montana]

Speaking of ratio. In your opinion: What's the acceptable ratio formula of instructor(s) to total students?

I think that depends on the instructor, type of students you have (all beginners or a mixture of belts), ages of the students, etc.

[sensei8]

Speaking of ratio. In your opinion: What's the acceptable ratio formula of instructor(s) to total students?

I think that depends on the instructor, type of students you have (all beginners or a mixture of belts), ages of the students, etc.

I concur because the parameters do vary considerably.