Thinking of teaching!

[quinteros1963]

I work in a school, that has a lack of resources for extra curricular activities. Many of the students and staff members recognize the importance of having activities for our kids. After several years of training I know the benefits of karate. I also know of a number of students that need the discipline. Thus, I'm considering teaching karate to interested students. In effect starting a "karate Club" at our school. I may even be able to obtain grant money to cover the cost of uniforms for the kids.

No, I am not a black belt, but would love to share what I do know with needy students (for free).

What do you think?

[Lupin1]

Do you know any black belts at your school who would be willing and able to help? You could run the program and they could help keep an eye on things and help you and stuff. It might up your credibility with the school and with parents as well as make sure you're doing everything right from someone more experienced.

[GOM]

Before you go down that path, there a few things you need to consider:

- What does your instructor think of this? Are you affiliated to a big organisation that has its own set standards for instructors?

- Your instructor may be interested in teaching at the school with you as an assistant.

- Make sure you and your students are going to be fully insured

- Once you start teaching and giving up your own time, you will need to follow through. You can't just try it for a month and then stop.

- If you teach for free, then you are implying your experience and ability is worthless. People expect to pay. Are you going to pay for mats, punch and kick bags, insurance, uniforms, advertising, phone, electricity, water, gas, etc. Grants are great but they are long and complicated to organise.

They are just a few things you need to consider before jumping in.

[honoluludesktop]

Aside from your willingness, IMO it takes more experience that even the average black belt has to teach, without a Senior person to guide him. I wouldn't do it with my 20+ years of (almost daily) experience, and certainly not in your situation.

[ps1]

Before you go down that path, there a few things you need to consider:

- What does your instructor think of this? Are you affiliated to a big organisation that has its own set standards for instructors?

- Your instructor may be interested in teaching at the school with you as an assistant.

- Make sure you and your students are going to be fully insured

- Once you start teaching and giving up your own time, you will need to follow through. You can't just try it for a month and then stop.

- If you teach for free, then you are implying your experience and ability is worthless. People expect to pay. Are you going to pay for mats, punch and kick bags, insurance, uniforms, advertising, phone, electricity, water, gas, etc. Grants are great but they are long and complicated to organise.

They are just a few things you need to consider before jumping in.

Nice post. Took the words out of my mouth.

[quinteros1963]

My instructor has indicated that he would be able to help, but has a fulltime job in addition to teaching at his dojo. The program would be after school (3:30) which would cause problems for folks with a 9 to 5.

I know it would be a huge undertaking, but I want to do something for the kids. I have coached on the Varsity level, perhaps I can start some other sports club or something. Karate Club would be awesome though!

Thanks for the comments, keep them coming!

[likeke34]

I'm one of the head instructors at my dojo, and i'll just say this. When you first start, teaching is exciting, however, with kids, you'll soon find that a lot of them don't want to be there, or don't want to learn lol. Many of them have short attention spans, or their parents just drop them off to be babysat. So it does become easy to lose that motivation you had when you first decided to teach. Adults and older teens who want to learn become a breath of fresh air haha.

Also, a good competitor or karateka, doesn't always = good teacher. You need to learn how to teach IMO. If you're too strict or too hard on the kids, parents tend to complain. If you go too easy on them, they think it's a mcdojo and look elsewhere. You need to find the right balance and how to teach to keep the kids motivated.

Some tips.

-Make sure you have extra high-rankers there who are willing to teach in case you can't make it. You really never know, w/traffic, getting sick and so on

-Also, you will need people to help you out because you can't teach kids who are of higher rank, the same thing as a new white belt every single day. You will need to split the class up at times.

-Don't snap at the kids (i've seen people break before and it does not look good for him and your dojo) so keep your cool.

-Understand that people are there for different reasons. Some want to get in shape, some want to learn self-defense, some may want to compete and then there's those who really don't want to be there lol

That's all I can think of for now

[honoluludesktop]

Good advice. Quinteros1963, another thing to consider, is that once you start teaching, you are no longer a student. You will have less time to practice and your Karate will take on a different dimension. I do not believe that anyone should teach for free. While you don't have to pay yourself, you must buy insurance, purchase equipment, conduct seminars, pay rent, etc. People who are unwilling to invest in their lessons, will not take them seriously. If the situation warrants it, you can always provide a scholarship in special circumstances.

[Montana]

I was a school teacher for 11 years and taught a mixed class of junior/senior high students after school for free. I was a 2nd and 3rd Dan at the time.

One of the biggest things you need to consider is a liability factor. Anything less than a black belt rank is considered a student, not an instructor, and if one of your students were hurt in a school sponsored class, or even one that is being taught to school age kids on school property, could POTENTIALLY be a large liability for the school system because you would not be looked at by the courts as being "teacher rated", or qualified to teach.

[quinteros1963]

Thanks, I will think of something else to do for the kids. Karate seems like too much trouble in a school setting.