Welcome to Episode #79 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Two Teacher Types.”
There are two major teacher types in the martial arts. Each has pros and cons, depending on what type of student you are!
In this episode, I’ll share my experiences with both teacher types and offer my advice on how to get the most of your training. We’ll discuss—
- Earning respect versus expecting it
- Security and insecurity
- Living in a fun house
- Bloopers in art and life
- Freedom from anxiety
- Losing and gaining power
- Opening the door to growth
Whew! That’s quite a list. Let’s get started! 🙂
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Two Teacher Types
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SUMMARY
I classify teachers into two types: the “touchable” and the “untouchable”.
Untouchable teachers follow an authoritarian model of teaching. They present themselves as having all the answers and do not allow themselves to be seen making mistakes. They typically do not spar or roll with students. In this school culture, respect is expected, as opposed to earned.
A touchable teacher is the complete opposite. They present themselves as works in progress. They sweat alongside their students, making mistakes and admitting shortcomings. In this school culture, respect is earned through interpersonal contact, as opposed to reputation or legend.
While the untouchable teacher can offer security, inspire confidence, and built trust, this model of instruction tends to lose power over time. Flaws are revealed in spite of trying to hide them. Plus, if each generation of student is led to believe that they are less capable than the previous, the value of what is being taught drops rapidly.
The touchable teacher, however, inspires each generation to be better than the last. The touchable teacher find reasons to praise as well as criticize. In this way, the value of what is being taught increases.
Overall, the untouchable teacher can be very effective in improving the lives of students seeking security and clarity in the short-term. But in the long-term, the touchable teacher is better able to offer students the tools they need to succeed independently.
Thanks, Sensei Ando for the “touchable” teacher insight…certainly worth some reflection not just for martial arts but for life .
So glad it made sense to you! Blessings upon you, good lady! 🙂
I have had both types of teachers over the years as well, I just did not realize it until I listened to this podcast. Another great one, thanks
Glad it rang true for you! Thanks for letting me know, sir!
Hi Ando!
I’ve had the same experience over the years and I’ve come to more or less the same conclusion. But you put it in funnier and more fitting words x-) New angles for me to look at a very familiar issue.
I like your conclusion that authority is in the short-term helpful and effective, and for people looking for order in their chaos. I couldn’t agree more. My uncle is a teacher for teenagers and they appreciate his firm, authoritarian, structured style very much as it helps them on their path, as you said, whereas it deeply annoys me as I know very well where to go by myself. Haha!
And as always, it’s great that you say we can transition from one style to the other, depending on our state and what our students need. Very helpful for me as a new teacher (two years now).
More of this teacher stuff 🙂
Hi Josephina!
Funny about your uncle… but it sounds like he’s doing a lot of good! I’m sure you’ll be a great teacher, too! Keep fighting! 🙂
Hi Ando,
I assume that by good teacher type, you are talking about yourself, whereas by bad teacher type, you are talking about Bruce Lee, right?
No, sir. I don’t believe I said either teaching type is good or bad. Different teachers for different students at different times.