Accepting
Students
(Extracted from Iaido-L)
Nathan Scott:
Hello,
Sorry for the slow reply. I got buried for a while.
Mr. Edelson, I understand your concern for those that might be turned away who
are seriously interested. But, I believe that if such a person is easily
dissuaded, they are not serious to train hard, long and learn something.
When I was on SFI, I listened to many people complain that they couldn't train
formally because of ____________ (fill in the blank), so they will simply HAVE
to train themselves instead. Usually, the reason they could not train formally
was because the nearest dojo was more than :30 or an hour away, or they could
not afford it, or they had family/work obligations, etc. The reasons are not
necessarily weak (and it wouldn't be appropriate for me to judge that for them),
but the fact is - they did not made formal training a priority. Those that are
really serious more often than not have had to make sacrifices to train. Some
more than others. But, there IS a choice. Very very few people NEED to learn
swordsmanship, they simply desire to learn swordsmanship for any variety of
reasons. So what we end up with is someone who desires to learn, but does not
desire it enough to make the sacrifices to obtain it. The opportunity to learn
is not valued highly enough in their mind to justify the sacrifices necessary,
so they buy a live blade and
experiment with their friends - "learning" the hard way.
Each to their own, but you start to see that obtaining and sticking to formal
training comes down to priorities, much like other things in life.
"Meow" wrote: 'would it not be good to hold two classes, one for the "natural"
students who have the desire, and one that is open for all people? perhaps
reserve the more elite one for people who somewhat prove themselves in the open
class?'
Sure, but I wouldn't use the terms "natural" or "elite".
How about having those senior students that have expressed an interest in
teaching someday lead the open class. It would be good experience for
them.
Mr. Famubode, thanks very much for your kind words and wishes.
Mr. Alexanian, very nice to hear from you again. Hope all is well with you both.
Kim Taylor pointed out the importance of having a good screening process in
place. That is true, and it would be easy to take this idea too far, appealing
to those in fantasy land. My method is basically intuitive, which I believe is
something we're all supposed to be developing. Besides, the prospective students
that are being screened *do not know* they are being screened, which is why it
works!
Kim also said: 'So, bring 'em in and whittle 'em down to where you want them or
try to whittle them down before they get to the class. Either way works.'
That is true, except if you whittle them down after, you waste time, energy and
attention that could have been given to students who have already displayed a
passion to learn. Weeding students out afterwards is counter to the
learning/teaching atmosphere I'm trying to encourage.
Like I said, my way works great for me.
Mr. Skoss mentioned having admittance rules, and breaking his own rules
sometimes. While I have certain red flags I look for, the bottom line for me is
my gut feeling. I also definitely agree that my dojo/goals in teaching may not
be in line for every prospective student, in which case my decision (or theirs)
will hopefully be in the best interest of everyone involved - not just the dojo.
I've never had to fire anyone, or really, even come down hard on any of them
yet. The students I have now are very polite, respectful and well mannered.
Recently they decided, on their own (with my blessing of course), to train a
third time a week between themselves, which made me very happy to hear. That is
the kind of attitude I am looking for.
My teaching mentality and attitude is in the minority, as I mentioned, and for
that reason I do not feel bad at all recommending a prospective student to
someone else. There are plenty of dojo with very "open" membership, and these
are great places to sample an art. The teacher is at least as important as the
art desired. I am simply offering another type of training, for those that are
more or less like minded in their goals.
Mr. Gilham, your response is the type that I anticipated, and am surprised that
it took so long for someone to react so strongly. As Mr. Skoss stated, the dojo
I run is *my* dojo, and I am licensed to teach in the manner I feel appropriate.
I am not running a company, and do not actively advertise to the public (aside
from a web page) for new students. From a legal standpoint, categorize it as a
"private club" if it makes you happy. If you don't approve or understand my
logic or methodology, that is fine. As I said at least once already, each to
their own.
If you go to the headmaster of a ryu-ha, and demand to be accepted (even if they
don't want to accept foreign students), can you legally sue your way in to the
dojo? Would you want to? I teach voluntarily, not because by profession or
because I have to. My acceptance method is my own, as are the methods some of
the other people have mentioned who contributed, and these methods have greatly
improved the atmosphere and quality of instruction and quality of students
training with me. As I wrote originally, I have experience with the open
membership policy as well.
Mr. Skoss said he looks for "A dedication to train." That's pretty much it for
me too. This is one of the things I tell prospective students I'm looking for,
but of course, time tells if they are really willing to do this.
Firing someone (hamon) from a dojo is pretty serious, at least traditionally.
I'd much rather take a few more minutes to talk to them before they join (or ask
them to return again to re-evaluate my feelings) than to have to fire someone
later.
Sorry for posting this after the thread had already died!
Regards,
Nathan Scott
http://www.tsuki-kage.com
Tsuki Kage dojo
http://www.shinkendo.com
Kokusai Shinkendo Renmei
http://www.aiki-buken.com
Aikibujutsu Tanren Kenkyukai
http://www.toyama-ryu.org
Kokusai Toyama ryu Renmei
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Last updated on 13 Sep 2002