Spectators at gradings

[sensei8]

If a student fails...and it happens a lot. I don't explain anything to the parent/friend/whomever, I only speak with the student. Watch, but stay out of the testing cycle all together!!

It would be nice if it worked like this all the time, but it doesn't always. Sometimes, the parents will come and ask, as is their right, when things concern their children.

If a parent would have questions for me, I wouldn't have a problem with answering them. After all, if their children are in the class, then the parent really is the consumer. So, its important that they be informed if and when they ask. I won't allow them to sway my decision, but I wouldn't have an issue with explaining my decisions with them.

I agree...Asking is one thing, but questioning my final decision isn't!! If I'm trusted to teach them, then I should be trusted to grade them as well!! Private counsels are to help them, both parents as well as students, and I will help them so that they know what has to be worked/improved on, but new parents and the like seem to think that they can judge my judgement and this isn't going to happen; not in my dojo/Hombu!!

I agree. Hopefully, parents will realize that they really aren't within their domain when they come to us as teachers, but at times, they are blinded, because of their natural bias for their children. Its just another opportunity for us to share our knowledge, and let them know that we made our decision because we really do care.

I think we are seeing eye-to-eye on this one, Bob.

Yes we are!!

[sensei8]

If a parent asks, answer them honestly. That's all an instructor can do. If the parent doesn't like it, then they have a choice to make. Is their child in it for belts, or to learn? That is one nice thing about Wrestling; no belts; you go practice, learn, then show it out on the mat.

Congrats on making the testing list!

Solid post...I concur!!