how sensei does it. I had to go in and teach the kid's classes tonight because sensei wasn't going to be there. Let me tell you, teaching is not my gift. I am exhausted! I don't see how sensei teaches four classes, and after working all night at his regular job, too. When Mr. Tedder came in to teach the adult classes, James and I left. He was teaching the adult class and said we didn't need to hang around. I was going to go over kata after class, but I was too tired so I just came home.
And the hardest part about teaching with James is making James behave. I spent more time calling him down than all of the kids put together. I'm going to have to have a talk with sensei about him. I'd sooner teach by myself than to have to deal with a 16 year old jr. black belt who acts like a 6 year old white belt.
Sheesh.
3 comments:
Oof! Teaching is exhausting - and I enjoy it! I can imagine it must be several times as draining if it's not your thing. I hope it's not something you'll have to do regularly?
Misbehaving upper belts are always harder to rein in than lower belts - the closer to your own rank they are, the more difficult (at least in my experience).
I'm teaching my first planned solo class on Tuesday while Sensei has hand surgery. I've taught once before, but only because Sensei was called away about two minutes before class started. I'm hoping desperately that the girl next in rank after me either doesn't show up, or is subdued, because when she's instigating the whole class is a mess. Unfortunately it happens quite a lot, probably because she's Sensei's daughter, and can't resist tweaking him.
I do not have to teach regularly, thank goodness. Everyone says I do a good job when I do teach, it just isn't something I enjoy or feel particularly comfortable doing.
James has been especially difficult to deal with because for one, he's a rather spoiled only child. He's also a bit sulky. And he's been the highest rank in the dojo for so long--until I passed him up at our shodan gradings when he only got a jr. shodan--he seems to think he can just do whatever he wants. He has no understanding of authority, or the difference between authority and power. That's one reason I'm glad he only got a Jr. Black belt. I didn't feel he deserved a full shodan.
The differences between power, authority, and responsability take some people a long time to learn. That's one reason I prefer the systems that don't give out black belts to younger students. I've seen a few younger black belts who were mature far beyond their years, but they were far outnumbered by those with good skills, and a maturity level, or experience level that didn't quite measure up.
Completely OT: My younger son is a reptile/dinosaur/fish fanatic. Something about the cold-blooded beasties just excites him. He would love to know the details on your snakes - species/color/name/age, and anything else you think is relevant. If you're willing, could you either post it up, or send me an e-mail (cindy dot wood at insightbb dot com)
We got him an aquarium for his birthday two months ago, and he's already agitating for a saltwater tank and a snake or iguana. I told him he has to be old enough to earn his own money for basic care (he's six), and be able to care for a snake himself. (Mommy is generally willing to help, but a snake needs to be his pet, not mine.)
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