When I first started helping in karate classes at my studio, I did not picture myself becoming a teacher. I did not think I would be a good teacher and I did not have much interest in being a teacher. As I got older and higher in rank, I started to assume a teaching role instead of a helping role. the transition was seamless for me, I do not know exactly when my role changed, but it did. It was hard at first and I needed a lot of guidance,but becoming a teacher has been one of the most enriching and important experiences of my life. Teaching has taught me how to be a better person and has taught me how to help others in different ways.
Teaching has taught me patience. I have always considered myself a pretty patient person, by that theory has certainly been tested by many of the kids I have worked with. In karate you have kids with learning disabilities, behavioral issues, physical disabilities and different ages and most of the time you have to deal with all of these factors at once.I have learned how to remain calm and help the kids learn-- whether it was their form or self defense moves, whatever the case-- even with any situation they might have going on.
I have also learned how to be firm but kind. One of the biggest reasons why I never wanted to be a teacher was because I have a hard time punishing kids and being strict because I did not want to be mean. I have learned though, that you can be both firm and kind and that it is not kind to let a child get away with something that they should not. They will repeat the behavior and that behavior could have a more serious consequence. You are also not doing kind for yourself if you do not enforce the respect that you deserve as a teacher by letting a child get away with something that they should not.
Lastly, teaching has taught me how to teach. That sounds funny I know, but if you think about it, it makes sense. The best way to learn how to do something is to do it. Teaching has taught me how to teach according to the different learning modalities.Before I started to teach I was aware of the different learning modalities but I did not really know how to help someone who say, learned kinestheticly. I have also learned how to sense when something is not right or bothering a person. If a child is not working their hardest, or their body language says that something is wrong these are signs that something is on a child's mind and being a teacher has made me a lot more aware and sensitive to these kinds of changes. I have also learned how to resolve this situation.
I have come to love teaching because I know that I am helping someone grow and in the case of karate, be able to defend themselves. I have also learned how to be a better person and how to help someone more effectively. While I do not want to teach as a career, I do enjoy helping to teach.
