Hello Karate Family and Friends,
This year is zooming past! It is great to see all who have begun to return to class. We enjoyed an awesome seminar with Mr. Ed Downey, and we hope to see him again soon. A very special Congratulations to Mr. Bob Mitchell on his promotion to 10th Degree!
We are still holding adult classes on Mondays from 6-7 pm–all belt ranks are welcome. This has been a great learning time for us all and we will keep this going. We hope to have more guest instructors during this year and will keep you posted.
What is a karate instructor? Though many engage in martial arts for sport, recreation and exercise, instructors primarily train students in the use of particular combat techniques. Instruction provides students with valuable self-defense techniques as they understand the history, philosophy, and safety skills of their martial art. Teachers train students in combat techniques–mostly for recreation or for self-defense. They develop individual training programs to coach, observe, assess and offer feedback on their students’ progress in a safe and healthy training environment; all while developing and practicing their own skills.
Karate instructors teach karate to students in groups or individually. They demonstrate techniques and help students perfect their own techniques. Instructors guide students’ progress and prepare them to advance in rank. In addition to testing students throughout the year, instructors will hold ceremonies to award students their new belts. If students enter a competition, the teacher will help prepare them for that. An instructor may travel to competitions with their students to coach and support. Instructors also help organize seminars or demonstrations.
In conclusion, we teach Martial Arts classes for students ages four and up. This includes teaching various forms (sets of moves) as well as sparring, self-defense and leadership principles. We also instill life values such as courtesy, respect and discipline so that while they are improving their physical fitness, we are helping to transform who they are in their day-to-day lives. At all times we are observing students and helping them to improve through individual coaching during classes. This feedback is crucial to their development.
As a full-time head instructor, I manage the school which means I formulate curriculum and individual lesson plans. I also email announcements and newsletters that are relative to student success, and I help families understand the various aspects of our programs. In case you were not aware, all our instructors are volunteers who have achieved at least a Black Belt in our art.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
Ken Kellogg