When is someone ready to teach?

[supergroup7]

"When is someone ready to teach well? Is there, or could there be a common benchmark that should be reached before instructing a dojo?"

When is someone ready to teach well?

Teaching is a learned skill like mothering, or writing, or playing golf. One does not automatically become a good teacher. It helps to have a good role model/ mentor with experience that you can watch, and learn what they do. It also helps to have many smaller moments when you can teach things that you know well under the supervision of an experienced person who can give you feedback on how well you handled the situation. A beginning low kyu student can teach something as simple as how to tie the belt to a fellow white belt, and this can be done with quality when taken seriously as a learning opportunity.

To be a good teacher not only do you need to know the knowledge that you wish to teach, and be able to use it well, but you need to be able to transfer this knowledge to the student in a way that they can understand, and make it their own. A good fighter does not always make a good coach.

How can one tell when a student is ready to become a Sensei?

This would be up to the discretion of the Master of that system, in my opinion. The Master would look for someone that he would want to represent his teachings, philosophy, and system to the world. By offering this student the rank of a teacher, the Master is saying that this person is worthy.

What about people who achieve Black belt in one system, leave the organization, and then create their own system? Then I would believe that these people have to stand on their own merit. They have nothing else to point to for recognized ability. A perspective student would have to see something of worth coming from this teacher to want to spend money learning their style.

What about people who decide to watch a few videos, buy a fancy Gi, and a black belt from a local martial arts store, rent a location, and open up a dojo claiming to be a master of Kung Fu, Karate, Judo, and Muay Thai? The only thing that I can say is that Martial arts is a "buyer beware" situation. Similar to guitar lessons, there is no standardization that controls what is quality teaching from what is not quality teaching.

[jcbel]

In my opinion, a black belt is not an automatic indicator of being able to teach.

[Brad]

im with jcbel and what a great subject and issue to talk over be good to see others views on this.

[guty]

A teacher, a really good sensei, is never a 'giver' of "truth"; he is a guide, a 'pointer' to the truth that the student must discover for himself. A good teacher, therefore, studies each student individually and encourages the student to explore himself, both internally and externally, until, ultimately, the student is integrated with his being. For example, a skillful teacher might spur his student's growth by confronting him with certain frustrations. A good teacher is a catalyst. Besides possessing a deep understanding, he must also have a responsive mind with great flexibility and sensitivity.

Bruce Lee (Black Belt Magazine, September 1971)

[Nix]

That is true, guty, an excellent quote. Spot on.

And a great subject, supergroup7. I would like to know, however, how you define a teacher? From your post you refer to the teacher as sensei, but not all instructors are sensei or even yudansha. Some dojo have several hundred members, and one sensei cannot teach them all by himself. Let it be known that I speak from experience; I myself am an instructor with my own students, yet I am merely 3rd kyu. I have learned that some people in here might think that is more or less scandalous. It is impossible to tell when a person is ready to teach, because that is different from person to person. Beeing a good teacher is not only about technical knowledge or how good you are on the mat, it is also about beeing able to lead and teach, keep things organized, motivate and a thousand other things. Some people don't have that, so regardless of the color of their belt, they will never become a good teacher.

I believe that the students should be encouraged to learn how to teach early by someone more experienced. If you are being prepared for the tasks and responsibilities of an instructor over a long period of time, chance are that you are ready for the job when the opportunity arises.

[supergroup7]

"I would like to know, however, how you define a teacher? From your post you refer to the teacher as sensei, but not all instructors are sensei or even yudansha"

Osu! Great angle to look at!! Thank you for bringing this up.

I remember asking my first Sensei "How does one become a Sensei?"

He smiled and answered with an edge of sarcasm in his voice "In this time era, open a dojo."

It's true. As soon as one opens a dojo, the students that arrive to be taught will look upon that person as a Sensei equating instruction in learning "how to do karate" with that title. I would hate to sound negative here. Please do not take my words in this manner. I feel that anyone with a few years of training can teach another person how to execute a middle punch, or to do the movements of a kata. These people can give the basics to another student. These people can be called "Instructors". They can do an extremely good job, also. I consider myself as such. Although I was given the title of "Sensei", I knew that I was like a young child wearing her father's shoes. But I was all that my students had to lean upon, and so I offered the best that I had to my students.

In my eyes, a "Sensei" means more than just being a teacher. The word itself translates to "Born before" which means to me someone who has been walking upon the path of the Martial Way, and now has valuable experience. Experience comes from time invested. When I first became a mother, I held that baby in my hands, and I had much knowledge in my head of how I would raise this child. I had goals, aspirations, solutions, and possibilities, but no experience. Was I a bad mother? No.. I was inexperienced. When I gave birth to my 7th child, and I had years, and years of mothering within me, I held that baby and I KNEW what he needed, how much, when, where, and what I can allow to be put aside.

Just achieving alot of time training or teaching in karate is still not successfully becoming a "Sensei", in my eyes. The person has to show improvement not only in technique, and knowledge of application, but mostly in character. Power corrupts. As a Yudansha gains in rank, there needs to be an equal gain in humility, honesty, respect, courage, patience, etc. These virtues help protect that individual from the personal downfall that high positions of authority can create within them.

[supergroup7]

I love that quote too, guty. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.

[koji112091]

I have once read that a student who reach nidan can teach. I don't think this is right though.

[guty]

i think that to be a good teacher you have to be a good student first,and to be a master you have to be a remarkable student in all ways possible ,but a student of life itself by all means, meaning reading all possible information,in regards as martial ways,styles-philosophies,science,religion,politics,astronomy,E VERYTHING YOU CAN GRAB , is dedicated to meditation,understand the metaphor -training resembles life and vice versa,knows about poverty and wealth ,about love and rejection,about been alone and friendship,a person who have the moral right and is knowable enough to talk about life , training and anything,must have kids (really important) and a healthy relationship with wife or husband ,someone who knows failure and success,somebody to look up to ,that you can call at any time for help or advise,a moral,physical and spiritual companion,and most of all someone that understand filial respect,loyalty and honor.....regardles the grade...belts are made just to hang your pants on...

[supergroup7]

Ooo.. that's a beautiful post, guty, it just couldn't be said better than that. Thank you.

[Brad]

how do you guy's feel about this one. We have a kid at our dojo that helps our sensie teach and this boy has only being training for one year and a half. Im not trying to boost but i could clearly kid this kids butt with ease. Hope i didnt cross any lines with that commnet. But i do acknowledge that this kid knows the katas but even thoes are at a poor standard. Theres just know power there.

[mpeters]

Excellent topic supergroup7, and there are some great postings here too.

I’m with the general consensus on this one as well. That being, it is hard to tell when someone is ready to teach as people are very different and have different skills to bring to the table as an instructor, also most importantly, holding a high belt rank does not automatically make you an “instructor” let alone a “good instructor”.

Brad, I am in a similar situation too, but not in Kyokushin. In my other system we have a young guy mid teens who also began to instruct after he passed his black belt grading about a year ago. Also like your guy he is technically pretty good, kata, basics etc but I feel he just hasn’t “done the yards” if you know what I mean. Anyway I have resided myself to listening to what he has to say (who knows might learn something) and take it with a grain of salt. If I disagree I just ask the senior instructor.

[Brad]

mpeters thanks it's funny that a fellow Kiwi replied to what i had to say. Buy the way good topic ounce again supergroup7

[supergroup7]

"how do you guy's feel about this one. We have a kid at our dojo that helps our sensie teach and this boy has only being training for one year and a half."

I would think that the choice of allowing a student, ( young or old ) to help instruct others would be up to the discretion of the Sensei of that dojo. One thing that teaching does to someone is to make you very aware of your own shortcomings, strengths, and responsibilities. If the Sensei feels that this student needs this kind of experience, or could benefit from this in some way, then I would respect their decision.

It is also quite an ego swallowing moment, as an adult student, when you are placed under the direction of a 14 year old brown belt. Suddenly, you might find yourself working on your pride, and patience more than on your techniques. You find out if you are the kind of student that can learn from any opportunity. You assess how badly you really want to learn that skill. Would you be willing to accept it from this youth's hands?

[Brad]

yeah you're right supergroup7 it could be just a bit of pride there ill admit that. And also i will accept the fact that what happens in the dojo is the instructor's choice thanks.

[supergroup7]

Excellent topic supergroup7

I'd just like to give credit to the person who asked the question in the first place. It was Davidkyokushinstudent who brought this topic up in another thread. I just copy, and pasted the question over here, and answered it with my thoughts.

I agree with all of you, Davidkyokushinstudent did bring up an excellent topic. Thank you, Davidkyokushinstudent.. Do you mind if I just call you David?

[supergroup7]

You are welcome, Brad.

I have to admit that I understand how difficult it can be to have a youth teaching an adult. I remember having to face a moment of being taught by a 12 year old boy who really didn't want to be teaching at that moment. It was obvious from his deep sighs, and longing looks in the direction of the center of the gym that he would have wanted to have been training with the main group, rather than stand in front of this white belt woman, and showing her basics. As I grew to understand my Sensei, and his Way, I can now laugh at this moment as I realize what was actually happening in that scene.

[Olrac]

osu Spirit,

This sounds almost exactly the same as my kyokushin history at our dojo.
Great post!
Brings back good memories.

[supergroup7]

How does a Master chose the person he would like to see teaching in a dojo?

Sosai Oyama spoke about this once,

"Strength in karate alone is not enough. Because I realize this, I have made Kyokushin karate world-famous not only for its power and for the rigor of its training system, but also for way it respects the courtesies of life. 1 insist that the instructor is in a position of absolute authority as far as karate is concerned but that he must respect his students if he wants them to afford him the courtesy his position demands....(Big snip)... In selecting the karate men that I send overseas to act as instructors. attitude toward courtesy and respect for others have been more important criteria of judgment than strength and skill in karate. "

I treasure the advice that was given to me by Sensei Paul Danelutti of Florida. I know that he would not want me to list all of his Dan ranks in all of the variety of Arts that he has trained in his lifetime, and I would probably not be able to remember them all. He would want me to introduce him as a perpetual student of the Arts.

He once told me " Teach with knowledge, not with derision." when I had achieved my very first color in rank. It was a statement that struck into the depths of me when he said it, and I promised myself that I would work towards this goal. Teaching with knowledge almost forces an instructor to show forth courtesy towards the student.

Yes, if I had to make a choice between one student and the other one as to whom would become a Sensei, I would look for someone's strength of character over their karate knowledge. It makes sense.

[guty]

Originally Posted by supergroup7

Yes, if I had to make a choice between one student and the other one as to whom would become a Sensei, I would look for someone's strength of character over their karate knowledge. It makes sense.

!!!!