NotEvenBlueYet

Our Jiu-Jitsu Instructor has trained 13 Blue Belt students. Lately several have moved away or left for other reasons.

We are down to just 5. Their role in class is to be helper teachers, as well as to be training partners for one another.

The plan is for the club is to significantly increase the number of classes available. To do this, at least a couple of assistant instructors are needed. The Chief Instructor just can't do it all.

Of the 5 Blue Belts, one is moving to Australia soon. Two others are entering their last year of high school, and will likely head off to college or university after that. That leaves 2 who have no looming plans to leave.

One of those says he has no interest in teaching. That leaves one Blue Belt guy who just might work out.

The club needs more Blue Belts.

Two of us have just completed our exams and are awaiting our results. A couple more might be ready in the fall.

Are any of the Blues or future Blues ready to be instructors of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu?

Two already act as teachers quite often and hold Black Belts in Hapkido. Both are amongst those moving away in 2013.

Of the rest, none have teaching experience or significant training in other arts, except me.

I've been a school teacher for decades, am a Shotokan Black Belt, and have taught Karate since 1983. Will I end up in the assistant role?

If so, will it fit into my own plans? It would be a hoot whenever I'm in town, but Helen and I want to travel significantly once retirement kicks in.

It's all very interesting.