A natural teacher?

Most people do not know I my guidance counselor, and three of my high school teachers, tried to convince me to go into teaching. I'm stubborn; I still went into accounting. ;)

This morning I have been emailing a parent from taekwondo. She sent me a note this morning regarding two of her boys. I knew she and I would have a discussion about one of her boys, after Thursday's class. I am, usually, in charge of the black belt recommendeds while they are retraining on all their forms. However, since I am working with our Asperger's student on her black belt recommended, Master Mike decided to give our newest recommended to Alex. This will be Alex's first time working with a black belt recommeded.

Thursday night Master Mike made the mistake of telling Alex he may be able to get our newest recommended through both yellow belt forms. Alex is, of course, Alex. So, he did not focus on the student, but on getting the two forms done. By the time the student had to do the first form in front of Master Mike he could not remember any of it. I was in the room with them, teaching my recommeded, and saw how fast they were going. But Master Mike was there that night (just not in the room), so I'm not sure when I am suppose to say something and when I'm suppose to shut up. The student could not do the first form for Mike, once they were back in the room because they went through both forms so quickly. Poor kid. He now has to redo the low yellow form and Master Mike informed Alex that I (Marsha) am to decide when the student moves on. (Mike was suppose to be out Tuesday, but now he will be out the entire week. Alex does not know yet.)

I am emailing this parent back and forth this morning. Her last email she said something that caught my attention. How could it not? She said, "Gotta love Alex, but he's not a natural teacher like you! (he thinks he is ;))" 

I don't think I've ever thought of myself as a natural teacher. Do I enjoy teaching? I do. I really enjoy seeing their little eyes light up when they get it. I enjoy the elation of graduations. I enjoy almost all of it. Just, honestly, not so much Alex.

He makes me teaching difficult. If I out ranked him it would be so different! But I don't out rank him and he believes I am incompetent. I know! Pot and kettle and all that. I think it also confuses the students somewhat as to who to ask for what. This week is going to be difficult. I will be down one assistant, Chloe has rehearsal every night we have taekwondo this week. The first degree black belts need to learn their nunchuk drills and two black belt recommends in two different places. I wish I were a natural teacher, then this would not feel so daunting.

I made a decision, while emailing with this parent. I know Alex is going to say something to me or Master Mike about it though. I told the parent to have her recommeded student come to class with her yellow belt student, and I will make sure he does the low yellow belt in that class. Alex can do the high yellow in the black belt class. I know Alex is going to be upset, or mad or something, but with all I have to teach this week and being down an assistant I have to do something.

Thank you for reading my ramblings. Sometimes I just have to get things out.