By Scott Hilderbrand
In our Martial Arts journey few will disagree that
the coveted "Black Belt" is a goal all aspire
to achieve. The desire for this once rare, and elusive,
reward is so powerful that it has been exploited by
many studio owners, and individuals. One need only to
look at some of the marketing strategies used by these
schools and individuals to find this to be true.
It seems that these days everyone has a black belt
in some art or another, causing an overall devaluation
of this accomplishment in the eyes of many. To reach
a rank does not always mean that a person has acquired
the knowledge, or skills equivalent to what they should
be at that rank. Even if one has achieved a portion
of the proficiency required at this level, they may
still lack the humility, ethics, or integrity that should
be associated with this ranking. Often times lacking
as well is the ability to convey that knowledge to others.
To understand the intricacies, and science of motion,
and to transform the concepts and principles into a
Martial Art system of self-defense, and self rejuvenation
as well as possess the skills to perform and pass on
to others through teaching that understanding should
be our ultimate goal. It takes more than the mere wearing
of a "Black Belt", regardless of the degree
displayed to accomplish this task.
I was once told by a very wise man that there is no
such thing as a POOR student, only BAD teachers. Rarely
has so much been said in so few words, and I have come
to believe very strongly in the truth of these words
over the years. I believe the transfer of knowledge,
and subsequent understanding and mastery of a particular
topic of study does not rest solely upon the students
responsibility to "learn".
Just because a student may not quite understand, or
may have trouble mastering a subject or a particular
movement as in the case of the martial arts, does not
mean that they can not. Nor does an individual with
emotional, mental or physical challenges become suddenly
un-teachable.
In order for the learning process to be a successful
one a teacher must "teach"! You may say, "But
don’t teachers automatically teach if they are
teachers?" Well, in the general meaning of the
word yes. However, the successful transfer of knowledge
is not necessarily a given just because someone has
teaching credentials, or in this case a specific ranking.
Any teacher can pass on a specified curriculum, and
gain results based on a specified grading curve. But
what of the students who may be above or below that
curve, and fail because a teacher neglected their obligation
to teach? This is known as "outcome based education",
and is prevalent in many styles of martial arts today,
and is also in my opinion a major contributing factor
in the downfall of our educational system in America.
You see, the learning responsibility is a shared one.
The student must put forth an effort, and commit themselves
to the learning process. However, the teacher also has
a responsibility to discover, or create if necessary
the motivating factors that will spark a students desire,
interests and understanding of, and towards learning.
The result of such efforts on the part of the teacher
being not only helping to nurture a students progress,
but ultimately the understanding and eventual mastery
of a particular subject by that teacher wise enough
to utilize wisdom.
Nevertheless, creating an environment conducive to
a students understanding of a subject is not the end
in itself. True mastery of any topic of study can only
come by the teaching of that subject to others. Therefor,
a teacher must pass on the methods, ideas and training
aids used to transfer this knowledge to others, the
"tools of the trade" so to speak. But this
is also not enough, a truly great teacher will also
instill this same ideology in his, or her students as
well.
This is the way I view my responsibility as a teacher,
and instructor, and I am indebted to those truly great
teachers I have had, and still study with today who
have past this ideology to me.
Through my journey in life I have also come into contact
with those teachers, and instructors who have not always
had their students best interests in mind. Unethical,
self promoting individuals of unstable or questionable
character whom would seek to take advantage of, and
exploit others for their own personal gain. These are
very good examples of the BAD teachers I spoke of earlier.
However, despite these individuals I must be thankful
for their part in showing me the differences between
a BAD teacher, and a GREAT one.
I have also come to the understanding that sometimes
a persons knowledge, and understanding of a subject,
combined with a strong desire to teach that subject
are not always enough to ensure a successful transfer
of that knowledge, and understanding to a student. A
teachers ability to motivate a student may be impaired,
and hindered by the lack of the proper "tools".
A teacher can sometimes become so used to a particular
method, or have a method or tool if you will, that is
outdated & rendered obsolete through the passage
of time becoming ineffective for others to use, and
pass on. So a truly great teacher must constantly reevaluate
himself, as well as his training tools, or methods in
order to find new and innovative ways to pass on knowledge,
keep that knowledge up to date, and motivate students
to do the same when current methods fall short, or are
not understood. This we must do in order to stay relevant
to the changes in our society, and the way we view self-defense,
and ourselves as martial arts practitioners, students,
teachers and instructors.
However, we must never forget where the "tools"
came from which sparked our own minds, and fanned the
flames of our own personal discovery and understanding.
I cannot help but feel sadness for those individuals
either blinded by those of poor character, and integrity
or themselves possessing these qualities. For they so
often fall short of realizing their goals, or at the
very least add years of unfruitful, unproductive, and
unrewarding training to their studies.
Discovering, and developing new, innovative and effective
methods or "tools" is one of the keys to successful
teaching and learning. By this process we ensure a continual
quality and growth of our chosen field of study, and
in this process safe guard the trust placed in us by
those we teach, and I feel… offer the greatest
compliment to our teachers before us.
"An ounce of logic is worth a ton of tradition
that has become obsolete through the weathering of time…"
-Ed Parker
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