Certification

[terryl965]

In another thread a member ask what has the Kukkiwon done for you, well my wuestion is on the sme line but with a twist. What has your certification done for you and how has it changed your life?

 

[terryl965]

I will go first my Dan ranking in Okinawa Karate has done nothing most people in today enviroment does not even know I hold one, I hold ranking from three different orgs. in TKD and they as well have never done anything for me. I have made them work for me if I need a certain certification for certain students but to tell the truth the only thing that matters is that the people that tested me thought at the time I was worthy.

Today I run a school but to tell you the truth I do not even have my certification on the walls they are at home on top of the bedroom closets along with my entire family. I still believe a cert. only means one thing and that is I was either smart enough or dumb enough to stay long enough to recieve it.

Looking to hear others people views.

 

[dancingalone]

I hold a nidan in Okinawan goju-ryu and an ee-dan in TKD (non-Kukkiwon). I've moved around the country a lot in the last eight years and have trained in various dojos and dojangs in both styles. I've never had a problem with a new teacher honoring my rank in karate. The sensei I earned my shodan from is relatively well-known in the Goju world, and dropping his name usually gets an raised eyebrow. Of course, I have to back up my black belt by demonstrating a form or two.

In TKD, it was a little bit different. Most schools are more skeptical of your skills, perhaps because of the proliferation of TKD. It's a much bigger world than the karate world, so perhaps just stating your lineage doesn't carry the same clout it does in Okinawan karate. I've never had a school owner refuse to honor my belt, but they're always quick to tell you 'You can keep your belt and we'll get you up to speed with how we do things'. That's fair enough, but I think it's safe to say my karate rank seemed to be a little more respected in the karate world. I don't know if a Kukkiwon certification would make a difference or not. I've never really pursued getting one because presumably I'd have to learn the Tae Guks along with a slew of new one-steps and three-steps and because I really practice more Goju and aikido these days than anything else.

 

[dancingalone]

I forgot to add that certifications really seem to be still personality-based. If you are certified through a famous master's org, your certification's value is really tied to the prestige of the org's leader or head instructor. The organization itself is irrelevant.

You Kukkiwon people, please speak up. I imagine your opinion will be different.

 

[Laurentkd]

As I mentioned in another thread (i don't know how to link it) having a Kukkiwon certificate allowed me to keep the rank I had previously earned at another school with no questions asked.

 

[Kacey]

My ITF certification has done nothing for me - but it has for others I know who compete at international levels, where such certification is required. My association certification is an expression of my seniors' faith in my abilities - but as far as what it has done for me, I'm not quite sure what you're asking about.

 

[terryl965]

Here in Texas there is a mind set for a school to be successful they must be KKW and hold a 5-7 so they can charge these god awful fee's. So they question is does your certificate work for you will you charge higher fee's once you hit that platoue, does your GM seem to charge more for training than those thaat have school under him?

 

[Kacey]

Here in Texas there is a mind set for a school to be successful they must be KKW and hold a 5-7 so they can charge these god awful fee's. So they question is does your certificate work for you will you charge higher fee's once you hit that platoue, does your GM seem to charge more for training than those thaat have school under him?

If I'm understanding you correctly, no. Schools set their own fees, based on what they need to cover their costs and what their students can afford to pay - or, for those like myself who are subcontracted to a facility, the facility sets the fees. We have a fee structure in place for seminars based on the rank of the person instructing, but that has nothing to do with what schools charge.

 

[terryl965]

If I'm understanding you correctly, no. Schools set their own fees, based on what they need to cover their costs and what their students can afford to pay - or, for those like myself who are subcontracted to a facility, the facility sets the fees. We have a fee structure in place for seminars based on the rank of the person instructing, but that has nothing to do with what schools charge.

Yea Kacey you have a great set up and I envy you in a way. I have taken the time to read your hand book very impressive and I like everything I saw while I was up ther and heard. Looking forward to the tournament. Talk to you later.

 

[Miles]

What has your certification done for you and how has it changed your life?

It allowed me to train at the Kukkiwon to become certified as an instructor.

It allowed me to become certified as a referee.

It allows me to certify my black belts through the Kukkiwon.

Due to my certifications and associations, I have also been privileged to train with some of my Taekwondo heroes such as GM Park, Hae Man, Dr. Yang, Jin Bang, GM Lee, Chong Kwan, and GM Kim, Sae Hyuk.

My certificates are kept in a briefcase in my basement. Neither my students nor anyone else has ever asked me about my certification or qualifications as an instructor.

Miles

 

[terryl965]

It allowed me to train at the Kukkiwon to become certified as an instructor.

It allowed me to become certified as a referee.

It allows me to certify my black belts through the Kukkiwon.

Due to my certifications and associations, I have also been privileged to train with some of my Taekwondo heroes such as GM Park, Hae Man, Dr. Yang, Jin Bang, GM Lee, Chong Kwan, and GM Kim, Sae Hyuk.

My certificates are kept in a briefcase in my basement. Neither my students nor anyone else has ever asked me about my certification or qualifications as an instructor.

Miles

So you do not hang yours up as well, that is interesting. Most of the people here have them on the wall of the school to show off and the general public could not tell a real one from a fake one.

 

[troubleenuf]

So you do not hang yours up as well, that is interesting. Most of the people here have them on the wall of the school to show off and the general public could not tell a real one from a fake one.

Right on.... 99.9% of the people who come into the gym neither know nor care about that certificate hanging on the wall. Its nothing to them. How many times have any of you had a new student come in and ask to see or even inquire about your certification? In the past 28 years I would have to say maybe 3 or 4 have even asked about my certification. If that.

 

[rabbit]

I hope that the students would place more value on my ability as an instructor and less on what rank or certification I hold.

 

[terryl965]

I hope that the students would place more value on my ability as an instructor and less on what rank or certification I hold.

They should if that is the way to start them out when they join.

 

[Kacey]

I've never had a student ask about my certification; I've been teaching for about 17 years.

 

[terryl965]

I've never had a student ask about my certification; I've been teaching for about 17 years.

You know I do not believe I have been ask by a student but on chat lines and places like that I have, wonder why that is?

 

[exile]

I don't know if a Kukkiwon certification would make a difference or not. I've never really pursued getting one because presumably I'd have to learn the Tae Guks along with a slew of new one-steps and three-steps and because I really practice more Goju and aikido these days than anything else.[/B]

I don't really have any standing in this discussion because I won't be eligible for certification till my next test, for shodan, this summer. But I can say that I don't think you'd have to learn the Taegeuks, d.a. My instructor, 5th dan certified KKW, gets all his new black belts certified at the KKW, and we never do the Taegeuks, along with a bunch of Japanese kata at advanced colored belt level. I don't think you actually have to submit a CV with your student's application vouching for their adherence to the official KKW curriculum. We do the Palgwes, and all of my instructor's students who succeed in their shodan test get KKW cert. So in principle, at least, the Taegeuks aren't a roadblock...

 

[terryl965]

I don't really have any standing in this discussion because I won't be eligible for certification till my next test, for shodan, this summer. But I can say that I don't think you'd have to learn the Taegeuks, d.a. My instructor, 5th dan certified KKW, gets all his new black belts certified at the KKW, and we never do the Taegeuks, along with a bunch of Japanese kata at advanced colored belt level. I don't think you actually have to submit a CV with your student's application vouching for their adherence to the official KKW curriculum. We do the Palgwes, and all of my instructor's students who succeed in their shodan test get KKW cert. So in principle, at least, the Taegeuks aren't a roadblock...

There is no mention of the Tae Gueks if your Instructor is a 4th Dan or higher KKW certified he can obtain them for his/her school. If you ever go to get an instructor certificate and do that program they only teach the Tae Gueks.

 

[Kacey]

You know I do not believe I have been ask by a student but on chat lines and places like that I have, wonder why that is?

Online no one can see you teach or work out.

 

[exile]

There is no mention of the Tae Gueks if your Instructor is a 4th Dan or higher KKW certified he can obtain them for his/her school. If you ever go to get an instructor certificate and do that program they only teach the Tae Gueks.

Ah, OK, that makes sense.