Opening a School of my Own

[Em MacIntosh]

I have the finances and business training for something small but do not feel good enough to teach. What are your opinions on me managing a dojo but not being an instructor? It's not as if I have no experience and I beleive I'd be a good judge of someone's ability to teach self-defense, their public relations ability and general manners. I have five sets of theoretical numbers for my business plan draft. I'm wondering about your opinions on the integrity of such a plan. I may teach at a later date and will most certainly use my club for lessons of my own. Someday I may take over as head instructor but that won't be important to me for a long time if at all. I appreciate any advice , opinions and discussion. Thank you.

 

[Nomad]

If I were in your position and this was something I wanted to do, I'd look into getting a good partner for the business who was willing to do most of the teaching (at first). Preferably one who was willing to put up some of the initial investment (and who thus has a stake in its success). The problem with hiring someone to come in and teach is that they may have little loyalty or reason to push for the success of the school; if the two of you end up working at cross-purposes your chances of success will plummet.

I would also try to teach some of the classes; even if you're not that good at it at first, you will get better (there's really no other way to get good at teaching than by teaching).

 

[Drac]

The problem with hiring someone to come in and teach is that they may have little loyalty or reason to push for the success of the school; if the two of you end up working at cross-purposes your chances of success will plummet.

I would also try to teach some of the classes; even if you're not that good at it at first, you will get better (there's really no other way to get good at teaching than by teaching).

Nomad makes some good points...Whomever you bring in had better have the same mindset as you as far as having a top notch school, and be willing to go above and beyond the paycheck to achieve it..

 

[14 Kempo]

If I were in your position and this was something I wanted to do, I'd look into getting a good partner for the business who was willing to do most of the teaching (at first). Preferably one who was willing to put up some of the initial investment (and who thus has a stake in its success). The problem with hiring someone to come in and teach is that they may have little loyalty or reason to push for the success of the school; if the two of you end up working at cross-purposes your chances of success will plummet.

I would also try to teach some of the classes; even if you're not that good at it at first, you will get better (there's really no other way to get good at teaching than by teaching).

Nomad makes some good points...Whomever you bring in had better have the same mindset as you as far as having a top notch school, and be willing to go above and beyond the paycheck to achieve it..

Yep on the above ...

One thing to think about, the person you bring in to teach, doesn't necessarily have to be part owner, or even a partner in business, but I would suggest you look at making his/her salary, or at least a majority of it, a percentage of the business income, the bottom line. Why? This will be incentive to teach good classes, to bring in new students and to keep existing students. The bottom line effects that wallet. Just a thought.

 

[DavidCC]

It seems kindof strange to me. Backwards. Isn't the typical model, young teacher opens school, eventually finding or creating new teachers to take over as the now older teacher moves up into running the school etc.?

If you don't feel capable of teaching, why open a school??

When the teacher you hire starts teaching something you disagree with, how do you correct them? You clearly believe that they know more than you (otherwise you wouldn't need them).

To whom do the students build loyalty?

Just be brave and TEACH

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

I saw this done once to some success. This is the person who you might want to talk to. I do not know him but I remember clearly that he had other instructors teaching for him for years. (primarily jkd those I knew in round about ways) He would also bring in Dan Inosanto, etc. and eventually I am assuming his skills improved to the point that he founded his own style. (that I cannot judge nor can I judge his skills as I do not know him) All I know is that after a long time he is still teaching and runs the same school.

http://midmichiganacademyofmartialarts.com/index.html

 

[terryl965]

I guess I'm with DavidCC on this one, why open a school if you need to find an instructor to teach? I'm sure a partner and you handling the business side and him the teaching side could be possible.