Instructor's Code of Conduct

[Kacey]

Does your school or club have a clearly laid out "Instructors Code of Conduct"? If yes, is it published or in some other way made available to the students?

For myself, I feel that providing such information in writing reassures students, and provides guidance to instructors. As both a middle school teacher and a TKD instructor, I would much rather have written guidelines than unwritten ones. I use the guidelines provided by Gen. Choi, in the Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do as the instructor's side of the student/instructor relationship - along with the Tenets and the Student Oath. As far as I'm concerned, those provides sufficient guidance - the student's side of the student/instructor relationship is in the YomChi gup handbook, as is the Oath and the Tenets (see below), and the instructor's side is in the YomChi dan handbook.

Student / Instructor Relationship (instructor's side)

1) Never tire of teaching. A good instructor can teach anywhere, anytime, and is always ready to answer questions.
2) An instructor should be eager for his students to surpass him; it is the ultimate compliment for an instructor. A student should never be held back. If the instructor realizes his student has developed beyond his teaching capabilities, the student should be sent to a higher ranking instructor.
3) An instructor must always set a good example for his students and never attempt to defraud them.
4) The development of students should take precedence over commercialism. Once an instructor becomes concerned with materialism, he will lose the respect of his students.
5) Instructors should teach scientifically and theoretically to save time and energy.
6) Instructors should help students develop good contacts outside the club. It is an instructor’s responsibility to develop students outside as well as inside the training hall.
7) Students should be encouraged to visit other training halls and study other techniques. Students who are forbidden to visit other clubs are likely to become rebellious. There are two advantages for allowing students to visit other gyms; not only is there the possibility that a student may observe a technique that is ideally suited for him, but be may also have a chance to learn by comparing his techniques to inferior techniques.
8) All students should be treated equally, there should be no favorites. Students should always be scolded in private, never in front of the class.
9) If the instructor is not able to answer a student’s question, he should not fabricate an answer, but admit he does not know and attempt to find the answer as soon as possible. Too often a lower degree black belt dispenses illogical answers to his students merely because he is afraid of "losing face" because he does not know the answer. Always be honest with students.
10) Never betray a trust.

Tenets:

Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance
Self-Control
Indomitable Spirit

Student Oath:

I shall observe the Tenets of Taekwon-Do
I shall respect my instructors and seniors
I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
I shall build a more peaceful world

 

[shesulsa]

Hm. Good question.

 

[stoneheart]

I agree this is a good post and it gives me much to think about. For discussion's sake, is this code of conduct just something necessary in the west? Is there such a thing in Korea or Japan or wherever in the East. Japanese karate frequently has a Dojo Kun but it's for everyone and it doesn't target instructors specifically.

 

[stickarts]

Yes, we have an instructors handbook that includes a code of conduct.
I periodically update the handbook and go over it with the instructors.
We also have a student handbook. I think it is important to communicate expectations right from the start.

 

[shesulsa]

I believe our instructor's Code of Conduct is the same as our black belt oath, which I don't think I'm allowed to reveal in this venue. But I'll check.

 

[qi-tah]

The Martial Arts Industry Assoc. Inc. (MAIA) in Australia has developed codes of practice for martial arts schools, instructors, events orginisers and retailers. The details are at this website: http://www.maia.com.au/pages/codepractice.htm

I like the idea of a students code of conduct. Our school doesn't have one, but i do have a copy of the "14 attituide requirements" that i picked up from somewhere posted on my wall at home (can't remember where i found it so apols about quoting without references):

THE FOURTEEN ATTITUDE REQUIREMENTS

1.Purpose of training should be enhancement of mental and physical betterment.
2.Serious approach
3.All out effort.
4.Maintain regular and constant practice.
5.Practice basic techniques all the time.
6.Regularly spaced practice sessions
7.Always listen to and follow the direction of instructors or seniors.
8.Do not be overly ambitious.
9.Frequently inspect your own achievements.
10.Always follow a routine training schedule.
11.Repeatedly practice all techniques already learned.
12.When you learn new techniques, learn thoroughly the theory and philosophy as well.
13.When you begin to feel idle, try to overcome this.
14.Cleanliness is required after training. Keep yourself and your surroundings clean.

 

[Drac]

1) Never tire of teaching. A good instructor can teach anywhere, anytime, and is always ready to answer questions.
2) An instructor should be eager for his students to surpass him; it is the ultimate compliment for an instructor. A student should never be held back. If the instructor realizes his student has developed beyond his teaching capabilities, the student should be sent to a higher ranking instructor.
3) An instructor must always set a good example for his students and never attempt to defraud them.
4) The development of students should take precedence over commercialism. Once an instructor becomes concerned with materialism, he will lose the respect of his students.
5) Instructors should teach scientifically and theoretically to save time and energy.
6) Instructors should help students develop good contacts outside the club. It is an instructor’s responsibility to develop students outside as well as inside the training hall.
7) Students should be encouraged to visit other training halls and study other techniques. Students who are forbidden to visit other clubs are likely to become rebellious. There are two advantages for allowing students to visit other gyms; not only is there the possibility that a student may observe a technique that is ideally suited for him, but be may also have a chance to learn by comparing his techniques to inferior techniques.
8) All students should be treated equally, there should be no favorites. Students should always be scolded in private, never in front of the class.
9) If the instructor is not able to answer a student’s question, he should not fabricate an answer, but admit he does not know and attempt to find the answer as soon as possible. Too often a lower degree black belt dispenses illogical answers to his students merely because he is afraid of "losing face" because he does not know the answer. Always be honest with students.
10) Never betray a trust.

While I am not a TKD practioneer I believe in all of these...

 

[Sensei Payne]

I agree that instructors should have some kind of Code to follow, but as far as I know, in Ryukyu Kempo there is only one code of Conduct...and that is for everyone.

• Strive for a good moral character
• Keep an honest and sincere way
• Cultivate perseverance or a will for striving
• Develop a respectful attitude
• Restrain my physical ability through spiritual attainment


But Kaicho Allen Amor, decided that we needed more guidelines as Martial Artists so he added the guiding principals


Guiding Principles 1.When asking to be taught, be submissive and free from prejudice; accept the teachings as shown. In this way you will not establish your own peculiarities or bad habits.
2. Be polite and obedient to the master and other superiors. Be courteous among fellow students and followers. You must strive to develop humbleness.
3. Cultivate a spirit of perseverance. You will develop a healthy body if you have strength of mind and train fearlessly.
4. Strive to be a warrior for the construction of a peaceful and free world, by using the character building, morality and spirituality contained in the way of karate.
5. In daily conduct do not encourage fights or arguments.
6. Move from easy to difficult and from simple to complicated. More time is required to train longer and harder as you progress. Do not hurry or engage in senseless or reckless practice. Develop gradually.
7. Become familiar with the use of the makiwara and other training equipment. Train yourself to use your fist body and positions. Be patient and study earnestly the katas and matches. Do not aim for hurried success.
8. In the past a single kata was studied for three years. A long time ago a particular master analysed a single kata for over ten years. Do not think you have mastered a kata and become proud of your success. Pride will lead to hurt your achievement in virtue and technique; thus pride can be like a poison to the world.
9. Take care not to develop only your favorite technique, neglecting others because this will leave a weakness in your defense. Be cautious not to become too theoretical or technical because these too are weaknesses.
10. Ask questions freely of the master and other superiors because you must strive to understand what you are learning.
-Nakamura Sensei, Okinawa Kempo Karate Dojo, February 15, 1964

 

[Papio]

Does your school or club have a clearly laid out "Instructors Code of Conduct"? If yes, is it published or in some other way made available to the students?

Student / Instructor Relationship (instructor's side)

Tenets:

Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance
Self-Control
Indomitable Spirit

Student Oath:

I shall observe the Tenets of Taekwon-Do
I shall respect my instructors and seniors
I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
I shall build a more peaceful world

Tenents Yes, student oath no - if I didn't keep seeing the oath pop up on various websites I wouldn't know it existed.

4 I’ve turned up to class without my wallet before, my instructor just asked me to line up and pay double next class without skipping a beat.
6 seems kinda redundant for me, I’m not exactly the kind of guy that requires a push to try new things and meet new people.
7 is encouraged, in fact if one area’s school goes down for holidays its demanded that student who doesn't meet the time requirements for grading attend another school if he/she wants to grade, thankfully if you pay your dues for one GTF club you can train at all the others completely free (which I guess covers 4 as-well)
8 I've never seen a adult scolded in my area's dojang, generally if you screw up you get push-ups or the dreaded burpes.

 

[still learning]

Hello, In our system at : Universal Kempo Karate School Association (UKKSA).

We have a Code of Conduct for ALL students as well as Instructors. IN our student hand book.
======================================================
Before we begin to line up, everyone needs to shake hands with everyone especially to the Instructors.

We start and end every class with Universal prayer (written by a Kempo student.)

Before we start (everyone kneels down to put on and off their belts)

We also have a : Princple's of a Black belt- We all need to memorized.
We also have a : Student Creed - We all need to memorized also.
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Everyone is taught to be respectfully at all times! and it starts within oneself first! .......Aloha

 

[Gordon Nore]

My personal code is "Shut up and train."

 

[tsd]

My personal code is "Shut up and train."

Ninja June says it this way....."Less Talk More Do"

 

[kingkong89]

not for all instructors but i teach by a certain code. but of course we have a code of ethics for students