WHAT IS A GREAT INSTRUCTOR?
I believe that a great instructor must first be dedicated to a life of personal development and professionalism.
These are the building blocks.
They come first.
I have noted the best Instructors tirelessly pursue personal education both on the mat and off.
They see the journey of an Instructor as a never-ending journey for themselves, thus for their students as well.
This journey of self-improving comes not only in teaching better, but understanding how to live a successful and meaningful deep life.
A great instructor teaches a student with the same passion and energy whether it is day one or day 1,000.
A great Instructor understands where each student is and creates a way to tap into their strengths getting the most out of them.
A great Instructor has the empathy to put the students’ needs above his own.
A great Instructor knows each student is on their own journey and is a guide to help them down their own path.
A great Instructor knows that he cannot do the work for the student, only inspire, motivate, and lead by example.
A great Instructor knows that having fun must be part of the training just as much as technique.
A martial arts school can have the flashiest logo, do all the marketing in the world, but without a great Instructor, will never really impact its students!