Excellent. My very own forum.
Doesn't seem to be anyone else posting here so it must be just for me.

I have noticed similar discussions in the GKR forums but am interested to know what everyone thinks anyway.

I have recently graded to the third level at kung fu and was asked by the owner of the school to join the assistant instructor program. Now, I could only assist in the beginner classes as I am only allowed to teach grades below my own.

There are many benefits to taking on this role, such as advanced training, free Tai Chi training and eventually becoming a full instructor in the art.

There is a time commitment required also. I need to assist in at least one class per week as well as attend the assistant instructor module classes (written and theory classes based on teaching). As well as keeping up my own classes to a minimum of 2 per week.

Taking into account the benefits AND the time constraints, is it a worthwhile experience?

i'd say go for it, if you find you don't like it or it is taking up to much time, you can always drop out. but in a few years in you don't do it you might find yourself saying what if, not a good place to find yourself. grats on the grade by the way :thumbwink:.

As I said elsewhere most instructors in this style do it coz they enjoy it, and if you enjoy teaching then it should be a very rewarding experience for you. I will say that at least we dont have to pay for our training and that includes advanced classes. I guess you have to weigh up the benefits and enjoyment against the time sacrifice.

As far as I know we still have to pay our usual monthly membership fee as assistant instructor. I don't think the normal instructors do though. It's just the Tai Chi we get for free, so it wouldn't be for the benefit of free training.

I'm still wary about ever becoming an instructor, and the nagging from senseis to train to become one doesn't help much. I enjoy teaching lower grades kata and stuff, but I don't want the black and white belt to do that. I feel it'd be to restrictive. I'd have to be always out the front helping lower grades and not actually training myself. And I can never make it to senior training as it is.

That's another thing about this club.

It was at my last grading that sifu saw my techniques and forms, commented on how good they were and mentioned to me that he would like me to join the ASSISTANT Instructor program. This was also marked on my report card saying so. Since then I have had NO pressure and the topic only ever comes up when/if I bring it up. The next time I expect to hear about it would be at my next grading when sifu reads that he's recommended me to it. No pressure. I like that.

No black and white belt.
I still wear my coloured sash just like all the other students (and instructors). But as an assistant I'd wear a red tag on the end of my sash to show my position in the school.

Standing out the front and helping instead of learning?
Not an issue.
Our classes are separate. lower grades with lower grades, higher grades with higher grades and kids with kids.
I'd only be helping out with the kids or lower grades. This doesn't interfere with my own training.

This whiole assistant instructor thing sounds better and better the more I discuss it.


I'll look into it in the new year at our new gwoon (training hall).

BC
I hope all goes well with your Kungfu