Shaolin Kempo Karate

[Gufbal1982]

Why should one have to teach full time?

One shouldn't have to. If I were to run a school again I wouldn't teach fulltime. I would teach part time and have a job that makes money too. I know of a freaking awesome master that doesn't teach full time, and loves it that way. It is sad how some organizations disregard some instructors/masters/grandmasters just because they teach part time and for the enjoyment of teaching rather than being full time and eventually getting burnt out.

 

[KempoGuy06]

One shouldn't have to. If I were to run a school again I wouldn't teach fulltime. I would teach part time and have a job that makes money too. I know of a freaking awesome master that doesn't teach full time, and loves it that way. It is sad how some organizations disregard some instructors/masters/grandmasters just because they teach part time and for the enjoyment of teaching rather than being full time and eventually getting burnt out.

I plan to turn my basement into my own training area and teach there after work a couple days a week.

B

 

[Danjo]

I plan to turn my basement into my own training area and teach there after work a couple days a week.

B

Um, you're going to teach as an Orange Belt?

 

[Carol]

Um, you're going to teach as an Orange Belt?

He didn't say he was executing his plans at this exact moment in his training.

 

[Danjo]

He didn't say he was executing his plans at this exact moment in his training.

Good point. Kempoguy06, please at least wait the additional 14 months until you reach black belt before teaching.

 

[Gufbal1982]

Good point. Kempoguy06, please at least wait the additional 14 months until you reach black belt before teaching.

LOL! Kempoguy06, I would suggest learning how to teach the material first. Not to say that you can't teach when you get your black belt, nor am I trying to discourage you from teaching. I started learning to teach at green/brown stripe and then tender age of 12. I learned on a bunch of kids. Kids are not as easy to teach as you would think. You have to learn how to explain to them. However, those kids taught me how to teach teens and adults. If you can teach 8 point blocking to a 3 year old, then teaching a 13, 23,33, whatever age is easy. You at least don't have to play some kind of memory game with older people. Plus, by teaching a child and explaining to them, you get a better understanding of what you are teaching. Keep in mind, I didn't start teaching teens and adults till I was 16 and getting ready to test for 2nd degree black.

At any rate, I would talk to your instructor about learning how to teach before jumping in to teaching in your basement. Plus, there's also liability waivers, insurance and other things you need before doing that. If someone gets hurt, well...you get the picture.

 

[MeatWad2]

Try starting a MA club that meets in the park once or twice a week.

 

[John Bishop]

One shouldn't have to. If I were to run a school again I wouldn't teach fulltime. I would teach part time and have a job that makes money too. I know of a freaking awesome master that doesn't teach full time, and loves it that way. It is sad how some organizations disregard some instructors/masters/grandmasters just because they teach part time and for the enjoyment of teaching rather than being full time and eventually getting burnt out.

Martial arts as a business career is a pretty modern invention. Probably only 15-20% of martial arts instructors make a living solely from teaching martial arts. The majority teach part time in commercial, recreational, college clubs, or home settings.
Even where martial arts are extremely popular like Asian countries, the majority of martial arts is not taught by fulltime instructors.
The vast majority of martial arts instructors, even now days, have other occupations. Some unskilled, and some highly professional.
Many great instructors taught/teach at rec centers, YMCA's, garages's, etc.
William Chow taught at the "Young Buddhist Association", "Catholic Youth Organization", "Kaheka Gym", "Nuuana YMCA" , in his back yard, and in the park. He turned out students like Adriano Emperado, Ed Parker, Bill Chun, Sam Kuoha, and others.
Adriano Emperado taught at the "Halawa Housing Area" (housing for the poor), "Palama Settlement" (rec center for the poorest residents of Honolulu), "Kaimuki YMCA", and "Waihiwa YMCA". He and 4 other martial artists from the poor Kalihi District of Honolulu, created a martial art system that has produced several world champions and is now practiced in 37 countries.
Walter Godin taught at the "Palama Settlement" and several other locations. One of his black belts is John Hackleman. One of Hackleman's black belts is Chuck Liddell.
My own instructor was a 2 time national champion, was in the first American martial arts group to be invited to mainland China in the 80's, and has taught seminars around the USA, Spain, England, Canada, Germany, and Mexico. The only places he's ever had a school was at the San Clemente (Calif) parks and rec, and his garage.
Some so-called "professional" fulltime martial arts instructors look down on the part time instructors. But the instructors credentials/experience and what he/she can teach you, is much more important then whether they has a nice commercial building that's open 6 days a week.
Let's look at 2 instructors. One is a 21 year old who trained at a nice commercial school, went thru a "instructors academy" and 3-4 years later buys his own franchise. He dosen't have much life experience because since he was a teenager, he's been working on someday being a "karate teacher". Besides teaching, he's learned how to run a business and recruit students.
The next instructor trained for 8-10 years, is a 2nd degree black belt. He teaches at the local YMCA, because he has a full time career, and dosen't want to be a businessman. He want's to concentrate on teaching and his own training. He's 30 years old, and his fulltime job for the last 8 years has been as a police officer. Over the last 8 years his fulltime job has taught him which one's of his martial arts techniques really work, and which ones don't. He's learned how criminals think, and how to deal with them, or avoid them. He's learned what kind of mistakes victims make.
So, now considering that the main purpose of martial arts training is to learn self defense, which instructor would be a better choice? The fulltime "professional", or the "part time" instructor?

 

[Hand Sword]

I agree. Also, I always found the part timer's much more enthusiastic about the art, because realistically, they never needed to teach, having a regular career.

 

[KempoGuy06]

LOL! I plan to wait to teach. I need a few things first, of course a black belt, a house (this would be important LOL). Also i want to graduate from college first and establish my career. After that I will look into what is required. Also i believe my instructor said that at blue belt(might be green) is when i can start taking that steps required to become an instructor. Im looking forward to it but i know i have a long road ahead of me. Should be fun.

B

 

[MeatWad2]

Good post Mr Bishop.

 

[Gufbal1982]

Thank you Mr. Bishop! I agree with you.

 

[marlon]

Good post about teaching. It is an important subject. you can only give / teach what you have and share who you are. Everything else is fake.
a good instructor is a good instructor part time or not, ditto the other way around
Thanks again for the post

Respectfully,
Marlon

 

[Iron Leopard]

Well said Mr. Bishop. I would like to make a point though...that if you are teaching full time and making money and that is your only job, you can devote all of you effort into teaching and training. I know alot of people are in it for the money mainly but...not all full time instructors have less enthusiasm than part time instructors.

 

[almost a ghost]

The next instructor trained for 8-10 years, is a 2nd degree black belt. He teaches at the local YMCA, because he has a full time career, and dosen't want to be a businessman. He want's to concentrate on teaching and his own training. He's 30 years old, and his fulltime job for the last 8 years has been as a police officer. Over the last 8 years his fulltime job has taught him which one's of his martial arts techniques really work, and which ones don't. He's learned how criminals think, and how to deal with them, or avoid them. He's learned what kind of mistakes victims make.

Here's a prime example of such an instructor who is fortunate enough to rent space. http://www.hendersonsdc.com

 

[Carol]

Well said Mr. Bishop. I would like to make a point though...that if you are teaching full time and making money and that is your only job, you can devote all of you effort into teaching and training. I know alot of people are in it for the money mainly but...not all full time instructors have less enthusiasm than part time instructors.

That is very true too. And there are benefits to the students that go with having a place to go to. When I was unemployed last year, my Kenpo teachers were of phenomenal support. And it made a huge difference in my life.

I don't think I'm alone in saying...outside of serious medical harm, job loss is one of the worst kinds of trauma a person can face. My instructors became much more than the folks that were teaching me how to punch and kick. They were there for me whenever I wanted to vent or whine or cry or cheer. They helped keep away the screaming despair that comes with waking up in the morning and knowing that no place to go because you aren't "needed" anywhere.

There are benefits....and drawbacks...to everything.

 

[Carol]

LOL! I plan to wait to teach. I need a few things first, of course a black belt, a house (this would be important LOL). Also i want to graduate from college first and establish my career.

VERY VERY VERY important steps to take. Hats off to you for thinking that way.

After that I will look into what is required. Also i believe my instructor said that at blue belt(might be green) is when i can start taking that steps required to become an instructor.

You're already taking some of the steps, KempoGuy. :asian:

 

[Iron Leopard]

Yes go for the black belt first!

 

[Hand Sword]

Yes go for the black belt first!

Even then, I would say just be an assistant than. Earn a few degrees on that Black belt before instructing. Also, in all honesty, blue or green is not the right time, you're still trying to get the material yourself, competently. Don't propogate the commercialism that is going on, if the art means alot to you.

 

[Gufbal1982]

Even then, I would say just be an assistant than. Earn a few degrees on that Black belt before instructing. Also, in all honesty, blue or green is not the right time, you're still trying to get the material yourself, competently. Don't propogate the commercialism that is going on, if the art means alot to you.

I agree with this. Plus, as you already stated, get your college degree first. No one can take that education away from you and will only benefit you.