Responsibility

[mal103]

I've not long passed my Nidan (as in days) but have been teaching beginners for nearly 2 years, this week I have been coming down from an emotional high of grading and have had a realisation about the responsibility I have with my students.

My star student has just passed their Brown belt as they have double graded to get there quicker than normal, I always do my best to pass on the best Karate that I can with constantly keeping the lessons up to date, fast, technical, mixed, basics - a good all rounder! Most do really well and I try my best to help the few others. I also regularly teach some of my Cheif Instructors students so want to keep up the high standards already set.

I also keep up my training at least twice a week.

This week I have really thought about the responsibility that I have over these peoples Karate AND their lives, if I make a mess of it then it could alter their journey or even stop it. Not just in the Dojo either, but outside of it.

I really don't think we should act godlike or become guiding lights for our students as we are all human but I now think more about my actions as they could have an effect.

Am I over thinking it?

[Wastelander]

Those who teach others are always going to have an impact on the students who are open to learning from them. Even as a brown belt assisting with classes, I have had students tell me that I've made a huge impact on them. One of my former students was actually written about in a newspaper article covering academically excellent high schoolers, and in it he said that I was his role model. Holding that type of place in a person's life is a great honor, but you are absolutely right about it being a big responsibility.

No one is perfect, but we can do our best to be a good example for our students and help them make good decisions in and out of the dojo.

[CredoTe]

...

This week I have really thought about the responsibility that I have over these peoples Karate AND their lives, if I make a mess of it then it could alter their journey or even stop it. Not just in the Dojo either, but outside of it.

I really don't think we should act godlike or become guiding lights for our students as we are all human but I now think more about my actions as they could have an effect.

Am I over thinking it?

No way, you're not over thinking it. The first sentence of my quote of you shows that you have profound respect for your students and yourself; that, if you abuse your authority / responsibility to your students, that it could have devastating effects.

When we reach that way of thinking, that's when we're truly ready to be instructors / Senseis.

[sensei8]

I don't think ones betterment, or the betterment of ones students can be over thought...if context and content are not abused and/or misunderstood.

If only other instructors that as you do!!