Why do I still teach?

Why do I still teach after 20 years?

At some point we all ask our selves, “Why am I still teaching?” I have guided many students to their black belts, helped them achieve their self-defense goals, and aided their successes at the national level. Neither is the reason.

I have been working with a student affected by certain physical ailments which diminish her coordination and strength. She also has self-esteem issues. She is physically incapable of performing some of the most basic techniques due to her condition. Regardless of her issues I hold her to the same standard as all other students, within reason. She struggled for many weeks to learn her form and earn a Kata patch. Every day after class her father asked if she could perform her poomse to earn the patch. Every day we made corrections to the pattern, stances, hand positions, etc.

Last week she performed her form again and stared at me in suspense as she awaited my response. She performed her form perfectly. I awarded her the patch and her square mouth morphed into a beaming smile. She jumped screaming with joy and pride. She faced her father and in a yelled in a high pitch, “Daddy I got my patch!” That moment is the reason I teach.

She said, “Thank you sensei for giving me the patch”. I made it clear to her she earned the patch through her hard work and determination. I didn’t give her the patch, she earned it. I simply provided the material. She left the gym glowing and walking ten feet tall.

People ask, “When will you stop teaching?” My response, “When my hour of departure arrives.”