Written by Sensei on June 5, 2005
A Growing Trend
Announcements & Press Releases . For Kids . News . Training notesAfter my last rant this seems an appropriate story! The Everett High School in Lansing,MI,USA added Martial Arts to their physical education curriculum. While the article doesn’t specify the program has been offered for at least four years. To date the program has awarded three black belts. The latest exam lasted 35 minutes, quote: “and intense 35 minute tae kwon do exhibition”. From my experiences this seems a rather short exam however it appears in needs to be completed within a normal High School class period. I wonder if the students involved in this program attend any of the area Dojos…? I wonder if this school allows area Dojos to come to the school to give Demonstrations or recruit?
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I am the instructor at this high school’s TKD class. We have had this class for over 10 years now. We have promoted seven students to black belt in the eight years I have taught the course. Black belt tests are NOT 35 minutes in length. I don’t know how anyone got that idea. We place a high emphasis on conditioning, technique, the four ranges of fighting (so as to better integrate and adapt in and among those ranges) forms and the mental/growth aspect of the art. Ours is not a for-profit venture – we are a high school class. This is a course offering. I am on the high school staff as a certified social studies teacher. The TKD class is the last class of the day. I am most receptive to outside instructors coming in to do demos – it happens frequently. If my students wish to train elsewhere on their own time, that is their business. However, once in my class, we do it with a blend of tradition-based as well as practical application based instruction. All arts have their “holes.” Only a fool would fail to admit that. The smart ones recognize this and work to shore up those weak areas. That is growth.