What do you look for in potential instructors?

[IllusoryNeptune]

I have a question. Say you were to take on an assitant instructor. What qualities would be most important for the potential candidate to possess? I ask this because I'm involved in a mini-dispute right now at my own school, where I am continually refused entrance into the assistant instructor program.
I suspect that my sifu is power tripping(again). Don't get me wrong, he's a nice guy, but sometimes his status goes to his head, unfortunately.

At first, I heeded his word when he said I wasn't ready yet(which was 13 months ago). Now I think he's full of it. When I asked him about it earlier this week he told me that if it were up to the headmaster of the school I wouldn't even be a student there. Quite the response to my question of what areas I need to work on in order to "qualify" for the program. He never told me what I lacked or what I needed to do. He always gave me some vague spiel about never giving up, blah, blah, etc. You know, I always ask him very politely and all I get is vagueness.

Da mnit, I AM a good person. I know I am and I know I deserve to be in that program. It just feels so RIGHT and it is so frustrating to be kept from it and to witness his hypocrosy. I managed to glean a scant bit of useful information from him earlier this week, where he very non chanlantly told me that it takes "balance and maturity" to be in the program. Well, compared to the person he has in the program now, I am a PARAGON of balance and maturity. bah, I just don't know what to do. Whatever.

[HuangKaiVun]

You need to go to the headmaster and arrange a meeting between you and the instructor in question.

Politely but forcefully talk to the head instructor of what was said to and about you. Keep in mind that you are paying $$$ to become fully trained. If the answer I received I didn't like, I'd quit classes right there.

From the looks of things, this instructor is not somebody WORTHY of having you as an assistant.

[Dark Knight]

You are right, its a power thing. It might be time to find a new school. Ct is full of good schools and there is now reason to be with someone who is not interested in giving you a good education.

[Leto]

Qualities of an instructor or assistant...I would look for dedication, honesty, technical expertise, understanding of the material, also enthusiasm and ability to motivate others. Overall, someone who is a good example for other students. Also, potentially someone who is a good representative for the style or school, so that new prospects are impressed and/or new students are motivated to continue. That is a secondary consideration, though. (I think)

Being a good example for others is number One. That is the primary function of an assistant instructor.

[IllusoryNeptune]

Thanks for the replies. I know my time at my school is coming to an end, but I'm still hesitant about leaving. All the other people there are great and I have a lot of fun there training with them, it's just that I think I have a severe personality conflict with my Sifu. Fortunately, the majority of my instruction comes from another instructor.

Could anyone suggest some good schools in CT? Most of the ones in the phone book don't seem appealing. Perhaps someone knows of some unlisted schools? Thanks.

[Shadow Dragon]

IllusoryNeptune.

Can I ask you what the length of your training at that school is?
Your profile states 1yr, but in your first post you mention that you were turned down 13months ago.

Speak to the head Teacher and the other teacher.
Also ask them what THEIR criteria is admitting people to the program.

Maybe that program is full and they got no more openings at that moment for assistant Instructors now or in the foreseeable future.

Maybe you are simply refused access to the program because you are too eager/pushy to be in there or still not considered good enough.

it could be a variety of things. IME, people don' just become Assistant instructors because they feel that they should be.

It could also be a "power thing", but that is hard to decide from a Thread as this.
If it is a power thing there is nothing you can do besides leave, as the person in charge will choose people that suit him.

Peace.

[Shadow Dragon]

IllusoryNeptune.

Having looked at the 2 Threads started by you I think the problem might not be your Instructor, but might lie with you and your perception of MA.

I get the feeling that you want too much too soon and thus have alienated your Instructors through your actions and demands.

Peace.

[joedoe]

Ultimately, the person at the top decides who advances. If they don't think you should advance - whatever their reasons - then you do not advance. If you don't like it, go elsewhere.

The simple fact is that whatever criteria is being used to gain entry into the program, you don't seem to fit it. And yes, whether the head instructor's likes you or not does matter because he has to teach you and work with you.

You cannot force them to accept you into their instructor program. Even if you did, what would that achieve?

In my (limited) experience in MA, people are invited to join instructor programs, they do not demand entry into them.

[Edit] I am sorry if I sound harsh, but that is the way I see it.

[palric]

Originally posted by IllusoryNeptune
At first, I heeded his word when he said I wasn't ready yet(which was 13 months ago). Now I think he's full of it. When I asked him about it earlier this week he told me that if it were up to the headmaster of the school I wouldn't even be a student there. Quite the response to my question of what areas I need to work on in order to "qualify" for the program. He never told me what I lacked or what I needed to do. He always gave me some vague spiel about never giving up, blah, blah, etc. You know, I always ask him very politely and all I get is vagueness.

Da mnit, I AM a good person. I know I am and I know I deserve to be in that program. It just feels so RIGHT and it is so frustrating to be kept from it and to witness his hypocrosy. I managed to glean a scant bit of useful information from him earlier this week, where he very non chanlantly told me that it takes "balance and maturity" to be in the program. Well, compared to the person he has in the program now, I am a PARAGON of balance and maturity. bah, I just don't know what to do. Whatever.

Hello IllusoryNeptune,

Never ever deliberately insult your Sifu or your Master. More importantly -- never ever do it publicly. This practice shames everyone.

If you have an irreconcilable situation with your Sifu then move on and find another teacher/club that 'does it for you'. Do your utmost to leave in peace and with blessings. One day you may thank yourself for your prudence.

I too have no doubt that you are a good person, so much so that I am looking forward to reading your post with your apology for publicly insulting your Sifu. I know you will do the right thing.

Advancement in CMA is at the behest of your Sifu or Master. This is the way it is and the way it will always be. One day you may find yourself blessed with the responsibility of your own students and you too will make decisions that impact people's lives -- sometimes perhaps even negatively. Then you will learn the true cost of leadership.

thx,
UM.

[SevenStar]

your profile says you have been training for one year - that's not even a drop in the bucket. If you have really only been training one year, then that is most likely your answer right there.

[orion_steel]

i would give anyway of my students a chance to be an assistant instructor.

perhapes not in every situation, but i think that the old buddhist saying applies "use every piece of lumber for different purposes" (that is a paraphrase).

but, i have seen that some of my students are better at teaching one on one, some are better at doing busy work, some are better at teaching groups and so on, God gives each one a strong point and a weak point.

in the beginning, it is our job to train new instructors to use the strong and learn the limits of the weak.

just a thought

;)

[apoweyn]

illusoryneptune,

if it's true that you have one year of experience (or a little over that), then it's no wonder at all that you aren't an assistant instructor. i was at it for about three years before i was asked to assist. and i think even that was too soon for me personally.

that's a problem you're going to encounter at ANY school worth a d*mn.


stuart b.

[BeiKongHui]

Never ever deliberately insult your Sifu or your Master. More importantly -- never ever do it publicly. This practice shames everyone.

Humbug. If you don't want to be criticized, judged, your business practices questioned, etc. then don't teach publicly. This guy is in America not ancient China or Japan. If I were you I'd look someplace else. It's your time, your money and your life so don't waste it by taking crap like that from someone YOU are paying to do a job.

[apoweyn]

Originally posted by BeiKongHui


Humbug. If you don't want to be criticized, judged, your business practices questioned, etc. then don't teach publicly. This guy is in America not ancient China or Japan. If I were you I'd look someplace else. It's your time, your money and your life so don't waste it by taking crap like that from someone YOU are paying to do a job.


amen. besides, i don't see that illusoryneptune owes us a public apology here. his teachers probably don't even read this site. if they did, and he knew it, i doubt he'd be posting here in the first place.

'looking forward' to his apology is a bit presumptuous, in my opinion.


stuart b.

[palric]

Originally posted by BeiKongHui
Humbug. If you don't want to be criticized, judged, your business practices questioned, etc. then don't teach publicly. This guy is in America not ancient China or Japan. If I were you I'd look someplace else. It's your time, your money and your life so don't waste it by taking crap like that from someone YOU are paying to do a job.

BeiKongHui,

Interesting, being in America and hearing only one side of the story, that you can conclude the matter as both judge and jury. Are you certain you know the truth and the whole truth about this matter ? These issues often transpire mere dollars and have more to do with the individual's characteristics and traits.

regards.

[Fu-Pow]

IllusoryNeptune-

Why are you grasping so hard for achievement and recognition?

[apoweyn]

Originally posted by palric


BeiKongHui,

Interesting, being in America and hearing only one side of the story, that you can conclude the matter as both judge and jury. Are you certain you know the truth and the whole truth about this matter ? These issues often transpire mere dollars and have more to do with the individual's characteristics and traits.

regards.

palric,

do you somehow have a greater insight on the topic at hand? i would assume so, given that you not only saw fit to play judge and jury, but also to pass down a sentence: public apology on this site.


stuart b.

[apoweyn]

Originally posted by Fu-Pow
IllusoryNeptune-

Why are you grasping so hard for achievement and recognition?


i think fu pow has the right question given illusoryneptune's background (i.e., very limited experience).


stuart b.

[Merryprankster]

Never ever deliberately insult your Sifu or your Master. More importantly -- never ever do it publicly. This practice shames everyone.

My master is love itself. And his **** don't stink. I have created a small shrine to him in the honor of all that is holy and good. :rolleyes:

[mantiskilla]

i agree somewhat with Palric. illusory, how old are you? you sound a bit young to me, and after one year of training you should not be teaching anybody anything. really, why does this upset you so? concentrate on improving your skills, and if you dont like your teacher, leave. :) good times.
________
IOLITE VAPORIZER (http://iolitevaporizer.net/)

[Ryu]

"I am a
PARAGON of balance and maturity."


:D LOL

Ryu

[BeiKongHui]

I have had it up to the gills with Sifu worship, personally.



BeiKongHui
Interesting, being in America and hearing only one side of the story, that you can conclude the matter as both judge and jury. Are you certain you know the truth and the whole truth about this matter ? These issues often transpire mere dollars and have more to do with the individual's characteristics and traits.

Well, not like your statement makes much sense as an answer to mine but if you feel giving someone consumer advice is being judge and jury I guess that Consumer Reports is the new Supreme Court.
I sense in your answer the typical condescension of those who feel they should be respected or worshipped just because they are a "Master" and (also typical) I'm sure the "lazy", "selfish" "fill in with typical cop out phrase" westerner speil is coming up next, huh?

[BeiKongHui]

After the kid's dastardly insults to his "master"?

I think this calls for a reading of the Articles of War and a Flogging 'round the Fleet!

[IllusoryNeptune]

I'm 21 and have been training at the school for 18 months now. The reason I want to teach is because that's one of the things I like to do. I enjoying helping and teaching people and I also enjoy coming up with new ways to present/demonstrate knowledge and techniques so they are easier to understand for all. I didn't realize that it was considered "early" for me to be asking to enter a program which will allow me to become an assistant instructor after a year of training. Someone who has been training for only 8 months was able to enter it and I started before this person.

He won't even give me a chance. I don't understand that. Furthermore, he won't even tell me what exactly it is that I'm lacking. That I understand even less. It's like I'm frowned upon for asking questions, frowned up for questioning his supreme authority. If someone brings you suggestions and comments in the most polite way possible, why not at least hear them out? I've tried to do this at my school and as soon as it's realized that I'm "criticizing" I get shot down immediately. No one even hears me out.

I don't worship my sifu nor anyone else. That's ridiculous. I feel that everyone learns better if we treat each other as equals, not by putting one person much above the rest.

Finally, I ask if you must quote me, then to please include my entire statement, and not just parts of it. Thanks.

[Arhat of Fury]

Illusory Neptune,

Here just some things to think about....(just fragments)

It is one thing to think you are ready to teach and another for your sifu to think you are ready. I'm sure he appreciates your enthusiasm but ask yourself, Do you really want to teach if your sifu does not think you are ready?

Evaluate yourself, Do your forms look like something that other beginner students want to model themseves after>?
Are you able to comprehend all or mostly all the techniques/fundamentals and apply them in sparring competently.

Do you hold the humbleness, integrity and temperment that a student of kung fu should posess.

There is definately a relationship that needs to be respected. Learning how to be a student is not something that just happens, it is something that is learned. Once you learn how to be a good student, then you go to the next level.

I have seen excellent kung fu artists that cant teach and I have seen mediocre students that could "teach" well.

Some people excel in certain areas such as a student of 6 months can do better forms than a student of 3 years, this does not make him suitable to teach.

I will give you no advice because I do not know your full situation, just some things to think about and look inside to question,
"Why does my sifu think I am not ready?" if you give yourself an honest answer and then work on those aspects, your sifu will notice.

After all, asking him what it is would be the easy path, but figuring it out on your own would be a wise path................

Good Luck,


AOF

[Fu-Pow]

Illusion Neptune-

Might I ask what style you train and who your instructor is? Perhaps if we knew the style that you train we'd have a better idea of where you're at in your training after one year. Also, if we knew the instructor we might be able to tell you if you are involved in something fraudulent. It is very difficult for people on this forum to gauge where you and your instructor are coming from with so little information.

It would also help us to know your training regimine. Roughly how many hours to you dedicate solely to training, how many classes you've attended in the past year and your personal relationship with your SiFu.

I've known many students in my limited training that want too much information too fast. I've also known students who think that they know everything after only a few months training and think it is appropriate to start teaching new students.....obviously not O.K. I'll blame it on our American culture, we think that if we ask nicely and we have enough money we can "obtain" anything. Kung Fu is one of those "things" that can only be obtained by the students own hard work and dedication to understanding.

I hate to lecture. But again, it's hard to get a grasp on the situation without all the details.

[Shadow Dragon]

IllusoryNeptune.

The other Student that was allowed in afert 6,onth, did he have pevious MA training, did he train harder/more than you.
Those are also factors that need to be considered.

To be brutally honest if you are so upset about not getting your wish and about someone younger/junior being advanced before you, than I would suggest NEVER to enter the corporate World.

Also, please, don't listen to the voices that say "you are paying money, it's your time so don't take crap from people you are paying".
While it sounds nice, it won't make you many friends nor get you what you desire. Unless you are rich enough to sue the school.
If MA gets reduced to that I don't want any part of it.

Of course as a Consumer you are fully entitled to go and seek an alternative school that suits you better.

If you really desire to become an Instructor in that specific style, than you should be training every free minute and get on good terms with the powers that are at the School.

In the end it is your Instructors that decide if they consider you worth of becoming a Teacher not you or anybody else.

It looks to me as if you might alreay have closed that particular door forever within that school.
Most People are only given 1 chance.

Peace.

[Tigerstyle]

Originally posted by Merryprankster


My master is love itself. And his **** don't stink. I have created a small shrine to him in the honor of all that is holy and good. :rolleyes:

Small shrine... pffft. You'll never be Assistant Instructor with that lame offering.

[Shadow Dragon]

IllusoryNeptune.

One thing I forgot.

Not everybody that enters an Instructors course will end up teaching.

Unless you are in a true traditional environment where you won't be allowed to fail once you gone past a certain point.

But than your school doesn't sound like that, to be honest it sounds very much like a commercial setup.

Peace.

[SifuAbel]

What I look for in an instructor.

Image:

A finley combed mullet.

Long sideburns.

Must have the beer belly.

A spotty 5 o'clock shadow.

At least one gold tooth. A missing tooth would do also.

Must bath at least once a week.

Really bad leathery skin.

Must pronouce it Kaw-rotty.

Must have elvis a roll model.

Must have done at least 6 months in jail.

And, last but not least, he must have at one point shoved a firecracker into the rectum of a small rodent.

:D

[Merryprankster]

He won't even give me a chance. I don't understand that. Furthermore, he won't even tell me what exactly it is that I'm lacking. That I understand even less. It's like I'm frowned upon for asking questions, frowned up for questioning his supreme authority. If someone brings you suggestions and comments in the most polite way possible, why not at least hear them out? I've tried to do this at my school and as soon as it's realized that I'm "criticizing" I get shot down immediately. No one even hears me out.


You know, if this is REALLY true, you have a legitimate complaint. There're a lot of MA instructors out there that frown on question asking as if you are being insulting and disrespectful. I would take a step back and seriously think about whether or not you truly deserve to be in the program, and if, after awhile, you honestly still hold that opinion, then I would go forward and press the issue, politely. On the other hand, if they are the sort that regard questions ad disrespect, you might want to think about whether you want to be there at all.

[The Willow Sword]

and nice boobs,,,good firm a$$ and a mouth that wont quit,,,,female instructors are so great,,the way they stretch and bend over,,,,,,,,,yeah,,,,,,,,,,,,when the demonstrate by throwing you down and sitting on your face,,,,,,,,,,,sigh,,,,,,,.
thats pretty much what i look for in a potential instructor.


amny esprects , Teh illwow dwors.:p

[David Jamieson]

IN-

There are always severa;l contributing factors to any decision made and any action taken. Even if only one factor is professed.

There are a few ways you can look at this and this is only my own personal opinion.

1. Your teacher may be checking to see if your cup is empty.

2. Your teacher may have a control issue and in his heart it is his desire to be your master as opposed to being your guide and master with "guide" first and "master" second.

3. You may have an attitude problem or an error in perception of your own skill and ability in the realm of instruction.

Also, Try not to aspire to be seen as one of knowledge at your age. You are young and many of those opinions and views that you hold now you will change with time and on occasion reverse your stance entirely. So, bide your time until you truly do have a viewpoint to express with utter clarity. (with thanks to Plato, socrates and aristotle for that.)

Finally, first set out to know the system you are learning. Know it for and back, know the applications and be sure you know how to convey this knowledge properly. Just because "you can" doesn't mean "you can transmit".

Always examine yourself first before examining someone else. Your world is made up of your perceiving of it. It is not made up of someone elses views.

peace

[The Willow Sword]

that was very insightful and wise. i was so moved by it i jizzed my pants.:p

Many respects,,The Willow Sword

[Nick Lo]

TWS- even in jest you are a complete moron.

You try to hard bra, just too **** hard.

[Fu-Pow]

You're getting a little spicy in old age, TWS. Did you start learning Iron Wire or something:D ?

[TenTigers]

Basically what I look for in a student wishing to become an instructor are as follows:
Good communication skills, well-groomed,well mannered, responsible,enthusiasm, and some skill in technique. Enthusiasm definately rates over technique. I can teach you technique, I can develop your skill, but I cannot teach you to be enthusiastic.(this is a hard one. It's not your school, you don't pay the bills, rent, insurance, etc, but you have to have the enthusiasm as if you did, because every student, every class counts)
Over the years, experience has added a little more to my list-No body odor, (Right Guard over funk don't cut it) no bad breath (sure, you don't mind-you get to stand behind it) they must have an amazing power of self-control-no hot tempers. No ego. Everyone can become a superstar. When you are gone, I will make more. It is what I do. Abso***lutely NO ****ing Bi-Polar assistant instructors! I have had it with guys freaking out on my floor! AAAGGGGHHH! (yep, you guessed it, I am Sifu. I alone am the ONLY one allowed to freak out-EVER!!!)

[rubthebuddha]

but that's only cause you're a ninja

[Serpent]

I look for someone that is totally sweet and can flip out and cut heads off.

[IllusoryNeptune]

Well, I very much appreciate all of the suggestions and advice. But as someone said earlier, I think I may have inadvertently "closed the door" to that program permanently. Now that I've thought about it, I really don't mind it that much. I don't get along particularly well with my sifu now, so I can only imagine what it would be like if I had to work more closely with him. The thing is, that he is set in his ways and stubborn and I am a vehicle for change. So obviously, it wouldn't work.

Anyway, like I said before. I like the people I train with and I have a good time at the practices, so at least I have that. Oh, and if anyone wants more information on my school, please look at www.white-lotus.com By the way, I've met the headmaster on several occasions. He seems authentic and probably is and he's not full of himself at all. He's an okay guy but a little too old-fashioned for me. Saying this, because I know the info on him on the website can be perceived by others as exaggeration.