“Master” is a term frequently used in the martial arts. While no one talks about a master accountant, master salesman, or master nurse, it is common to refer to a teacher of karate, kung fu, or BJJ, as a “master”.
But master of what exactly?
Mastery implies the ability to demonstrate basic and advanced techniques at a high level. But showing off a set of skills only represents one’s capability as a student, not as a teacher.
FACT: Teaching is its own art. It demands just as much study and practice as the subject being taught.
Sadly, many teachers don’t appreciate this and presume it’s enough to simply be great at what they do. Which is why, in every field of study, you meet talented, highly skilled people who are lousy teachers.
Don’t let that happen to you!
What does it take to be a master teacher? The first requirement is to understand that a teacher can not give a student knowledge…a teacher can only guide a student towards knowledge.
Knowledge is the result of experience. Hearing a teacher talk about a skill, or watching a teacher perform a skill, is worthless until the skill is practiced by the student. A master teacher knows this and designs opportunities for a student to accrue experiences.
Not just any experiences, but specific experiences the teacher knows will offer knowledge that the student doesn’t even know he needs.
Sometimes, the ego of a teacher can spoil this process. The teacher wants credit. The teacher wants to say, “I taught you that.” The teacher wants you to think you’re learning from him or her instead of from your own experience. But not a master teacher.
A master teacher is content to let you believe you discovered something for yourself. Even when they purposely led you to it.
For example, you may tell a student to keep their hands up to avoid being punched in the face. But you can also tell a student, “I’m going to throw some punches at your head. Don’t let me hit you.”
The student will quickly “discover” that keeping their hands up is a good idea. And because they discovered it on their own, they will never forget it.
The second requirement of a master teacher is to validate and support a student’s experience. A student will be excited when they make a “discovery” and will want to confirm that it is true.
It’s human nature—when what we learn matches what others have learned, our confidence grows. That’s why a master teacher will be there to say, “Yes, you are on the right track. Keep going.” A lousy teacher will ruin the moment by pointing out what the student is still doing wrong.
FACT: Any idiot can point out what someone is doing wrong. You don’t need to be a master teacher to spot imperfection.
A master teacher is someone who can always see what a student is doing right. A master teacher finds the smallest seed of competence and inspires it to grow.
Through the careful sequencing of drills and lessons, a true master leads students from one discovery to another, allowing them to find and fix their own imperfections along the way.
In short, a master teacher knows experience is the greatest teacher and is willing to step aside to let it do its work.
In doing so, students will have two teachers in every class, instead of just one.
Enjoyed your Master Teacher article. Isn’t there some old adage that says something like… TELL me and I forget. SHOW me and I remember.
INVOLVE me and I understand. You take it even one step further which is wonderful and I hope inspiring and heeded by ALL who dare to teach. Thanks!
Wise words! Involvement is a must. Studying HOW to involve students is the art of the master teacher.
Thank you, Master Teacher! 🙂
great article Andrew! Speaking of masters degrees….hmm??
Lenny the Shark!
Ah, yes! Yours is coming in the mail… 😉
Love this article Sensei!!! It is a wise teacher that can put their ego aside and let the student become the teacher!
Indeed! I’m still working on it. 🙂
Great points…thanks for reminding me that’s there’s more to good teaching than being in love with the sound of my own voice.. LOL!
A wonderful book related to this subject is titled, “The Inner Game Of Tennis” by Timothy Gallwey.
It’s about a stressed out tennis pro at a country club who’s doctor prescribes Tai Chi to lose weight and lower his blood pressure. What follows is a journal of how his whole approach to teaching changes as a result of his exposure to this art.
Hi Denny!
I actually have a copy of, “The Inner Game of Tennis,” right here on my desk… guess I should finally read it! 🙂
Thanks for the comment!
This is a wonderfully well written article! And I see you’re still active on here too! Thank you, Sensei Ando, for taking your time to share your experiences and knowledge.
I’m on the path to both getting my first black belt and that of becoming an instructor myself, and it’s hard to find good material relevant to instructing on your own, especially when you don’t really know where to look. Do you have any suggestions for books, articles, podcasts, or anything else that might help?
Thank you again!
Hi Joshua!
Congratulations on both your pursuit of a black belt AND for wanting to be the best teacher you can be. The martial arts need as many great teachers as they can get! 🙂
As far as books, I really don’t have any to recommend. The fact is, just like throwing punches, skill grows through practice. Mindful practice! There are plenty of people who teach, but don’t really teach. But the very fact that you’re concerned about your teaching skills tells me that you’re not one of those guys– whew!
I have a couple other articles about teaching– I’ll put those links below. Otherwise, my best advice is to start teaching right now! You don’t have to open a business, just find someone–ANYONE– you can start sharing techniques and tips with. See how they respond. See if they improve. Get used to presenting yourself as an authority. You can sharpen your skills privately, so that when it’s time to expand your student base, you’ll have a good running start.
Let me know how it goes! Keep fighting!
http://www.senseiando.com/bad-self-defense-teacher/
http://www.senseiando.com/teacher-burnout-in-martial-arts/
http://www.senseiando.com/one-trick-to-be-a-better-teacher/
Subtle yet powerful. 18 months ago achieved TKD Master. Within past six months became part time HS Teacher and Scoutmaster. The overlap with martial arts is amazing in each. Not a day goes by where martial arts doesn’t bubble up somehow.
Found your site today. At 56 I really appreciated the shoulder workout. Good practical advice. Thanks Brian
Master Brian! Thanks for saying hello. And thank you for all your work guiding the next generation.
Yes, I absolutely see martial arts lessons in everything I do, too! It truly is a lifestyle! Keep kicking, sir!