Three Basic Teaching Tips

In my estimation, teaching is probably the most important job there is. This is a bold claim, as all jobs form the social structure that makes life possible, and like the food chain, each effects the others. However, without the proper knowledge, nothing can be accomplished as you can only act with constructive purpose by following your mind's recognition of how to complete a task. Therefor, all tasks, mental or physical (other than instinctual needs and reactions) must be learned, and some of us help others learn as our livelihood: it's called teaching. Although the saying goes that "those who can't do, teach", it is more probable that "those who teach, can do anything". You see, spouting off information is merely talking. Helping someone understand that information, how it applies to them, appreciate it as a fascinating subject, become inspired to master it and therefor, master their own will, and show them how to accomplish this...this is called teaching. I have met very few people who I would say are great teachers. Having been a teacher of all grade levels, even college aged students, since the age of fifteen, there are quite a few principles I've picked up on concerning this intricate art. Here are three of the most basic, and therefor, most important principles I've learned over the years.

(1) Teaching Is the Art of Simplification. This was my first lesson on teaching, courtesy of my friend and only martial arts instructor, Joel Puryear. Most teachers make little or no effort to break down the material they are teaching, to make it more accessible to the average person. Some teachers even strive to complicate material in a hidden effort to feed their ego as one of the few people able to interpret or understand the given information. This is a byproduct of one's insecurity and a guarantee that no one will be learning much in that class. A good teacher takes information and simplifies it. You should not want your instructional material to be difficult as this is only a sign that you are unable to explain it to your students. This does not mean your material won't take a sufficient amount of hard work on the students part. Executing a well timed counter side kick, working out an algebraic equation, and mastering impressionistic painting are all skills that will take many hours of dedication. Simplification means that a teacher helps the student to better understand the concept behind the skill. Teachers should find simple formulas for explaining information rather than trying to come up with something on the spot. One of the best methods of simplification is to relate a process to something in everyday life a student can relate to. Make simple analogies. Teachers should also give several examples of each concept they are trying to convey. For instance, if you are teaching indirect angular attacks, show the student several different executions of this strategy. Show them how to gain distance and time with the shoulder fake and then execute the side kick underneath. Then show them how to fake a side kick and come over the top with a backfist. Giving several examples will allow students to find the similarities between each one and then identify the concept. It's always inspiring to watch that moment when it clicks, when the student realizes how simple it actually is. Enjoy these moments, it means you are doing your job right. It is an accomplishment on everyone's part when student proclaims, "Oh, that was easy!"

(2) Be A Principle Centered Instructor. A rule says "don't do this" whereas a principle says "this works and always has". I do not believe in "rules" in the application martial arts (or many other subjects) because their are simply too many variables in every situation. When I'm teaching someone, I do not focus on style, I focus on principles. Principles transcend styles and are applicable to any situation. I equate this to geometry. Euclid, the father of geometry, laid out universal principles of geometry which are always applicable, transcending all types of geometry and all geometric problems. For example, a straight line is always the shortest distance between two points. There are no exceptions. This is also one of the universal principles of martial arts: the shortest distance between a weapon and a target is a straight line. It doesn't matter if you are a Karateka, Judoka, or boxer, a straight line is always the shortest distance between two points. The principle transcends each style and remains universally applicable. Another, and more technically advanced, principle would be controlling your opponent's set point. This is essentially dictating how an opponent is positioned in relation to you and how to keep him from finding his distance, alignment, and defensive posture. Once again, it does not matter what form of fighting you study, one should always apply this in combat because it transcends both style and form. You could apply this concept to the work of a professional nutritionist. Ask a nutritionist how to lose weight and they aren't going to give you a customized diet, they are going to give you principles on weight loss: balance your diet, eat low density foods, etc. This method of instruction is important for the benefit of the students but also to the teacher, for it will not only allow you to become a more skilled instructor but will keep you in business. You will be able to reach a much wider range of students this way. Joe Lewis is a premier example of how to be a principle centered instructor. He understands, better than any teacher I have come across, how one may enhance their skill by application and mastery of principles rather than style. Another important part of being a principle centered instructor is to always inspire your students to execute with total conviction. You must also execute the instruction of your material with complete conviction. A half hearted teacher will have no hearted students. It doesn't matter what you are teaching, that will always be true. It's a universal principle.

(3) Make Learning Fun. This is one of the lost arts in the teaching world. You can't expect to keep students very long and you certainly can't expect them to learn much if they aren't having fun. This does not suggest sacrificing hard work. It suggests you get creative with how you have your students go about doing it. The first step in this process is to ignite a student's inner fire, their burning desire to learn, through the application of your material. This means you must be whole heartedly enthusiastic in your work as a teacher. This is the basis for executing the instruction of your material with conviction. Often times a student will be turned on or off to a subject, method, or technique, simply by how enthusiastic their instructor may or may not be, respectively. Bruce Lee was like this. His whole hearted enthusiasm turned many people on to methods or ideas they may not have considered otherwise. Once your students can see that you not only enjoy your given study but enjoy sharing it with them, there is a much greater appreciation among the students for your material. Another and all too overlooked tool is humor. Wildlife biologist Jeff Corwin is, in my opinion, the premier example of the mastery of this tool. Ask someone why they like Jeff Corwin and I'll bet you fifty dollars that their answer will be "Because he's hilarious". Jeff Corwin, who I have had the pleasure of meeting, understands better than anyone how to keep material that many people may consider boring (how many non-wildlife enthusiasts watched wildlife documentaries before he came along?) and show just how enjoyable it can be. He keeps the viewer constantly involved and in on the joke, laughing with him or laughing at him. Bill Wallace is the Jeff Corwin of martial arts. He is not only a master of what he does, but he uses humor as a primary method. Humor in teaching is like a carrier for a vaccine. The vaccine does the work meant to be accomplished but the carrier gets the body to receive it.

There are dozens of other important teaching principles that every instructor should know, but these three are a great starting point. Always remember that your job as a teacher has enormous consequences, good or bad, based upon how you treat this responsibility. Your goal as a teacher is simple: to help your students reach theirs. Take pride in your work and enjoy it. Do your job with effort and dignity.