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I need help…
1. My school (here in Atlanta) is offering an Instructor Apprentice program (no guarantee, of course, of being sent to Phase I, or of passing!), and I am considering taking it. Should I??? This is a very difficult decision…
2. I’ve been training in Krav for about 20 months now, and am currently at level 2 – will be testing into level 3 next spring or so (not in any hurry, though). It’s been very good to me, and that makes me want to give back. Plus this is an opportunity to learn even more from the fantastic instructors we have, all of whom I admire greatly….
3. But my concerns are:
a. I’m terrible at public speaking – it’s one of my biggest fears, other than heights. (Actually, this training would probably help with that.)
b. I’m still weak, even after all this time… one of the instructors told me that in his Phase A test, he had to do 100 pushups in 20 minutes. Ha! That’s funny – I can barely do 25 at once, and could not possibly do 100 right now. But that can be fixed!
c. I can’t even teach my wife anything (I mean that in a good way – no disrespect to her) – nobody listens to me, not even my cat! LOL In other words, I have some (fairly major) self confidence issues 🙁 And I’m not sure I would be “credible” as an instructor.
d. It’s expensive, requires a year and a half commitment for 1.5 hours each week (which actually isn’t much), and would have to be added on to the rest of my schedule (3 classes a week – one fight class, two level 2s and usually level 1s afterwards… plus a private lesson). Something’s gonna have to give if I do this.So…I don’t know… is it best to continue as I am now, working towards at least Level 4 (blue belt) eventually? Or would it be a good thing to add on instructor training… I know this is a decision that only *I* can make… I’m just looking for feedback.
How did those of you who are instructors work through your decision process? Why are you an instructor? How does it make you feel? What do you like and/or dislike about it? What makes a good instructor?
Thanks for any and all comments, pointers, feedback, etc…
DrGreenSticky
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
Take it easy on yourself, dude – no one can teach his wife anything!
I’d suggest that you talk to your instructors on the side and ask for an honest evaluation. You’re fortunate that you’re surrounded by some great people. They’ll help you out.
Being an instructor is not for everyone – that doesn’t make it good or bad. A great deal of it is being able to get up in front of the class and convey the message.
Good luck to you!
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
Well I have never heard of having to do 100 push-up’s in 20 minutes at a Phase Training…and I been kicking around for a while. I would rather see 20 minutes being spend on teaching techniques and not on push-up’s, IMO. You can do those on your own time. But anyway let’s address the other concerns.
Steve is correct, you can’t teach a spouse anything. Trust me, I can’t even get my husband to put the toilet lid down after 17 years and I have shown him how it works numerous times.
The public speaking will come in time and you will work through it. Its easier to speak on a topic that you are passionate about and that you have a great deal of knowledge on. You will be that person in time.
Only you can decided if the time and expense is worth it.
My final parting advice is this- If you are passionate about Krav Maga you will make it all work because you cannot imagine doing anything else.
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
Sticky,
You’ve gotten some great advice from Steve and Kirsten. It’s good to see you’re taking everything in your life into consideration instead of just jumping the gun.
Best wishes regardless of what you decide:wav:
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
Do it!
I couldn’t even speak the first day of Phase A. I was so nervous that my mouth dried up to the point where I was frozen with fear of speaking in front of the class. By the end of the week, I passed.
Even if you never teach a class solo, you can say you passed Phase A training, which is a select club and a great accomplishment!
Go for it! You won’t regret it!
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
quote DrGreenSticky:3. But my concerns are:
a.
I’m terrible at public speaking – it’s one of my biggest fears, other than heights. (Actually, this training would probably help with that.)Instructor training will certainly help you get over the fear of public speaking. Otherwise, you fail =)
So indeed, do it.
BTW, 6 years of teaching since phase A and I still don’t have public speaking down yet!
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
Thanks to everyone for your helpful responses… much appreciated!!!
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
Thanks, Kirsten! I probably misunderstood about the 100 pushups… perhaps he meant during warm-up, or sometime during the Phase Week.
quote Kirsten:Well I have never heard of having to do 100 push-up’s in 20 minutes at a Phase Training…and I been kicking around for a while. I would rather see 20 minutes being spend on teaching techniques and not on push-up’s, IMO. You can do those on your own time. But anyway let’s address the other concerns.Steve is correct, you can’t teach a spouse anything. Trust me, I can’t even get my husband to put the toilet lid down after 17 years and I have shown him how it works numerous times.
The public speaking will come in time and you will work through it. Its easier to speak on a topic that you are passionate about and that you have a great deal of knowledge on. You will be that person in time.
Only you can decided if the time and expense is worth it.
My final parting advice is this- If you are passionate about Krav Maga you will make it all work because you cannot imagine doing anything else.
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
Excellent advice already posted. I would add to go for being an instructor only if it is truly your passion to teach self defense. If it is, you can overcome many things for the opportunity to pass on something you believe in. If it is not- and you do it for any other reason-it will become only a job and students deserve more.
Jeff
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
We have the technology…
A small little book with a schedule to get you up to 100 pushups in 7 weeks.
http://www.amazon.com/Weeks-100-Push-Ups-Strengthen-Consecutive/dp/1569757070/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258676089&sr=8-1(i am on week1 myself)
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
Steve I have to disagree. I taught my wife Palm Heel Strikes and now she takes every opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of the technique, every chance she can get. Needless to say it’s made my inside defenses and sometimes the outside defenses a lot better!
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
DrGreen, totally aside from how it will benefit you vs. how it might cost you, what does it do for you to think about passing along the benefits of KM to others?
I’ve said this before in other contexts, but besides from physical talent, speaking ability, conceptual understanding of the system (all of which are highly necessary to become an instructor), the single most important attribute of an instructor is selflessness.
So, the best question to ask yourself is this…assuming it’ll be beneficial for you, and assuming you’d pass…are you willing to sacrifice your own time, effort, energy, blood, sweat, etc. to make other people safer? If that excites you, then give it your best shot. If something in you catches, maybe now’s not the time for you.
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
Well, I checked with the chief instructor and he said he thought it was a little too early for me to think of Phase A (but not that the time would never come!), and that I should continue to work on my technique. He is, of course, right – I told him I would redouble my efforts, and I’ve started! One of my instructors nearly killed me last Monday in our private lesson (at my request, and much to my delight – LOL). This is only the beginning….
DrGreenSticky
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
quote KravMDjeff:I’ve said this before in other contexts, but besides from physical talent, speaking ability, conceptual understanding of the system (all of which are highly necessary to become an instructor), the single most important attribute of an instructor is selflessness.So, the best question to ask yourself is this…assuming it’ll be beneficial for you, and assuming you’d pass…are you willing to sacrifice your own time, effort, energy, blood, sweat, etc. to make other people safer? If that excites you, then give it your best shot. If something in you catches, maybe now’s not the time for you.
Taking what your instructor said, and what I quoted here, if teaching is your passion then you’re probably already doing it. Being helpful here or volunteering for a new student there. If not, try those things. Be the teacher’s lackey and see how that jibes with who you were created to be.
Leam
Re: To Be or Not to Be – Instructor Training
quote DrGreenSticky:I need help…1. My school (here in Atlanta) is offering an Instructor Apprentice program (no guarantee, of course, of being sent to Phase I, or of passing!), and I am considering taking it. Should I??? This is a very difficult decision…
2. I’ve been training in Krav for about 20 months now, and am currently at level 2 ñ will be testing into level 3 next spring or so (not in any hurry, though). It’s been very good to me, and that makes me want to give back. Plus this is an opportunity to learn even more from the fantastic instructors we have, all of whom I admire greatly….
3. But my concerns are:
a. I’m terrible at public speaking – it’s one of my biggest fears, other than heights. (Actually, this training would probably help with that.)
b. I’m still weak, even after all this time… one of the instructors told me that in his Phase A test, he had to do 100 pushups in 20 minutes. Ha! That’s funny – I can barely do 25 at once, and could not possibly do 100 right now. But that can be fixed!
c. I can’t even teach my wife anything (I mean that in a good way ñ no disrespect to her) – nobody listens to me, not even my cat! LOL In other words, I have some (fairly major) self confidence issues 🙁 And Iím not sure I would be ìcredibleî as an instructor.
d. It’s expensive, requires a year and a half commitment for 1.5 hours each week (which actually isn’t much), and would have to be added on to the rest of my schedule (3 classes a week – one fight class, two level 2s and usually level 1s afterwards… plus a private lesson). Something’s gonna have to give if I do this.So…I donít knowÖ is it best to continue as I am now, working towards at least Level 4 (blue belt) eventually? Or would it be a good thing to add on instructor trainingÖ I know this is a decision that only *I* can makeÖ Iím just looking for feedback.
How did those of you who are instructors work through your decision process? Why are you an instructor? How does it make you feel? What do you like and/or dislike about it? What makes a good instructor?
Thanks for any and all comments, pointers, feedback, etcÖ
DrGreenSticky
I am a Terrible speaker and pretty much get nervous when ever i have to speak about something im not too familar with.
but when it comes to martial arts i can talk to the world. mainly because im confident with the knowledge i have about martial arts.
also you can try to mimic the body postures and energy of someone else teaching style that you really like. this will at least give you an idea what type of speaker you may want to be and you can develop towards it.
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