Karate Newsletter Feb 2024 This is year is zooming past. It is great to see all who have begun to return to class. We are still having adult class on Mondays from 6-7 pm, all belt ranks are welcome. This has been a great learning time for us all and we will continue to keep this going. We hope to have other guest Instructors during the year, We will keep you posted. What is a karate Instructor? Instructors train students in the use of particular combat techniques. Though many engage in martial arts for sport, recreation and exercise. Instruction provides students with valuable self-defense techniques. Instructors also help students understand the philosophy and history of their martial art and teache them the skills needed to take part safely. They train students in combat techniques, mostly for recreation or for self-defense. They develop individual training programs for their students, coach the students, develop and practice their own skills, ensure a safe and healthy training environment for their students, observe and assess students, and offer feedback on their progress. Karate instructors teach karate to students in groups or individually. They demonstrate techniques and help students perfect their own techniques. Instructors guide students' progress and prepare them to advance in rank. Instructors test students throughout the year and hold ceremonies to give students their new belts. If students go to competitions, the instructor will help prepare them. The instructor will travel competitions with their students to guide, support and coach. Instructors also help organize seminars or demonstrations. In conclusion we teach Martial Arts Classes for students ages 4 and up. This includes teaching various forms (sets of moves) as well as sparring, self-defense, and leardeship principles. We also instill life values such as courtesy, respect, and discipline so that while they are improving their physical fitness - we are also helping to transform who they are in their day-to-day life as well. At all times, we are observing students and helping them to improve through individual coaching during classes. This feedback is important to their development. As a full-time "Head Instructor", I also manage the school which means coming up with curriculum and individual lesson plans, setting Newsletters and e-mailing any news that needs to go out to students. I also help parents or family members understand different aspects of our programs. In case you weren’t aware all of our Instructors are volunteers, who have achieved at least a Black Belt in our art. Ken Kellogg