I Used to be a Teacher

“I used to be a teacher.”

I say that often these days, in reference to the time I spent as a High School second-year Spanish teacher.

I loved that job, loved the kids, even the problematic ones. I felt totally at home teaching kids who were so many generations apart from when I was in high school.

At first, I spent a semester as a substitute in the Special-Ed classes. These were kids who had so many physical disabilities and other issues, learning problems, developmental problems, etc. But they were the most fun, the most loving and the most rewarding kids to work with. One young lady who was non-verbal, cried and whined all day, and occasionally screamed. Then I found out she loved Disney songs and so I sang to her and kept her happy during those moments in class when she was unhappy.

I learned a lot of sign language in that class, because the kids were learning it to help them communicate. It was tremendous fun, but also difficult. But as I always say, you have to study lots of different things to exercise mentally, because they don’t make Nautilus machines for your brain.

Then I got hired as a Spanish teacher and embarked on a new career, after retiring (twice). But at the end of the semester, I was told, gently by the principal that my contract was not going to be renewed.

I was crushed of course, but took it in stride. My colleagues were very upset with the decision as they all felt I had been used by a school system to get through a big bunch of problems, and then tossed aside when the problems had been solved. You know, that sort of thing happens.

I could spend a tremendous amount of time explain what all had happened, but suffice to say, I wasn’t needed any longer and there are always funding problems in any school, and my (meager) salary could go to help take care of those programs.

How does this relate to martial arts?

I used to be a teacher of martial arts too.

Its weird, I thought that moving to Tennessee wouldn’t pose any problems in finding a place to teach. But most schools down here aren’t interested in what I have to offer.

When I talked about Kenpo and Karate, they were like, “Nah, that isn’t our style so we aren’t really up for learning other things.”

When I offered Escrima, they asked, “What’s that?”

Forget about me offering BHKIRA. The insurance costs for using metal weapons in a class situation make it extremely unattractive for most dojo.

I talked to Soke Jim Lloyd about the situation, seeing that he had been through the same thing many years ago, when he moved from Wyoming to Florida. He hadn’t planned to teach again, but after about two years, his brother and some friends asked him to teach them Kenpo, and so he got back into teaching.

Its been 2 years and 1 month since I last taught any classes. I did have one student come down for a weekend for some intensive training, and that was such a great time and a great relief (thank you, Justin Fitzhugh!)

But Soke Jim counseled me to remain patient, that something is in store for me. And Frank Byrum reminded me that “When the student is ready, the master will appear”. A pox on you, Don Diego de la Vega, for your wisdom in the movie “The Mask of Zorro”.

So I am waiting!