first student

[Spartacus Maximus]

If you are teaching, who was the first person to be your student? How did you find this person or how did the student find you?

[sensei8]

Not counting teaching as an instructor under the very watchful eyes of our Soke and Dai-Soke or for teaching at the college; because those students were provided. All I had to do was just show up for classes.

When I opened my Kyuodan dojo as a Sandan, I passed out flyers anywhere and everywhere to advertise my upcoming grand opening. Had 2 classes for my grand opening; kids and adults. I signed up 75 students. 

So, I found my first STUDENTS, not student through my proactive advertising, of which, my prospective students found me and I found them.

Edited September 15 by sensei8

[Zaine]

My first student was my child.

Unless you want a more philosophical answer, in which case I was my first student.

[Spartacus Maximus]

There are few things in martial arts practise that are as rewarding as the opportunity to share it with one’s own child. Generations ago it was much more common for parents skilled in something to actually pass it down and teach/train a son or daughter. The possibility of this is actually a great personal reason to keep practicing.

[Zaine]

22 hours ago, Spartacus Maximus said:

There are few things in martial arts practise that are as rewarding as the opportunity to share it with one’s own child. Generations ago it was much more common for parents skilled in something to actually pass it down and teach/train a son or daughter. The possibility of this is actually a great personal reason to keep practicing.

I've been enjoying it immensely. It's can be hard to teach your children, especially at first. You're their parent, and kids have a hard time switching into that mode of learning rather than just being your child. Anyone with a child who was in school during lockdown can tell you this. However, it is very rewarding.