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HOW TO CHOOSE

One question I am always asked via e-mail is"HOW DO I CHOOSE A SCHOOL FOR MYSELF OR MY CHILDREN?" This is one of the most important questions to ever ask, for several reasons
1) because you don't want to waste time training under a teacher who is not qualified
2)You don't want to waste money
3)You don't want to sustain injuries from improper training
4)You don't want to be training, or have your kids training under a predator of any kind

These are the first few major reasons it is so important to check out the school you are thinking about joining. An investment in Martial Arts training is an investment in schooling, someone is teaching you. So why do people just join, or sign their kids up at a local school? If you were to go to college, would you just sign up at the nearest school? Would you first want to know if the school is accredited? Would you want to know how many graduates the school has? Would you want to know the schools reputation from past graduates or past dropouts? Would you want to know the schools financial situation? Are the prices reasonable for the quality of instruction?

These same ideas should be brought into play when choosing a Martial Arts school. I and many others, were misled by teachers who either had little skill, or had good skill, but needed to lie to exaggerate their status, some schools I have been involved with even had a teacher who was arrested for acting inappropriately with students. It is not so uncommon to hear of terrible things done by school owners. It's not so uncommon to see falsehoods on peoples resumes.

On the other side of the coin, I have been very fortunate to have had great teachers and had great experiences as well! This article will focus on the things you want to beware of.

I will give a few examples of things that myself and my classmates had to deal with in a few schools in my local area. One school we trained in had a great variety of arts, and the teacher was very good, very good at drills, his resume was pretty big, lot's of pictures with famous teachers and himself on the walls, etc etc. He is actually certified through the leading authority in Bruce Lee's art! It took many years to realize, half his resume was false, he even went as far as to say he was a military boxing champion for 2 years, his older resume stated he was trained by the famous coach Cus D'Amato who was Mike Tysons coach. Later he went on to lie about living overseas, where he was trained by THE MASTERS of the Phillipines! This was shown to be all lies, etc verified by old and new students who really know the truth. Another teacher I had trained with was arrested for fondling a student, he was arrested and was a very trusted man, he was also a PRIEST! Years ago, a teacher who ran a school near my house, was having an affair with a student, the student threatened to tell the teachers wife if he did not divorce her, the teacher shot and killed the student,and was caught by the police and sentenced to prison.

Time and time again, we read in the papers about crazy stories involving teachers. The reason for this in many cases is that students look up to the teachers like they are trustworthy, good people because of their status.Parents hardly ever check the teachers credentials.

Heres my advise to all students and parents looking to start training in Martial Arts, or sending their kids to a school.

1)ask local teachers in the neighborhood how they feel about the school you are thinking about. Most schools will not just go bashing each other, some may be willing to answer your question in a politically correct manner.
2) ask how many blackbelts has the school produced? How many can you talk to? If a school is around for 15-20 yrs as they claim, yet only has a few blackbelts, that may be a red flag. Why don't people stay at this school to reach blackbelt level? Or why have past blackbelts chosen not to be associated with this school?
3) ask how many prior blackbelts have gone on to open their own school or to become teachers? If there are none, why is that? Again, being open for many years, and not inspiring someone else to want to teach others? Something may be wrong here.
4)How many people are competing and how many are winning? If you choose to compete, you should know how well people from your coach are doing in competitions.
5) Most important ! Do a background check on your teacher! It is easily done on the internet, and can be a real eye opener. Make sure it is legal to do in your state. Many teachers claim that their assistant Instructors are put through background checks, but ARE THE INSTRUCTORS CHECKED OUT! See if this person has any convictions, or prior arrest. YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR CHILDREN IN THIS PERSONS CARE! You can find out about miltary training and college degrees as well.

I was able to find out about one teacher lying to me about being a military boxing champion, by simply using the FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, to get the truth about his military career. It was very sad to see he had served less than a year, yet claimed four years in the Marines, claimed traveling and being based in Asia learning from THE MASTERS, while he really barely made it out of boot camp! He never left the USA. And he never was a boxing Champion,let alone trained for any period of time with the Masters. He did however go on a vacation to Asia and get a picture taken training for a week or two with the Masters! This teacher went on to have a few schools, and continues his lying to this day! He actually writes articles on character developement, and quotes many great people's words, yet he is lying! (talk about charcter!) Other schools I have seen, where a guy would go to China for a month, come back and claim on his resume that he lived their for years,opening a school,and now he is an expert! WALLAH, it's that easy! Lying is not against the law, so you can't do anything about it.

Again I want to remind you that these are just some of the basic things one should do, there are more than I can list, but these are very important. Even if the person is not a predator, not a danger to your child, do you want someone who lies, teaching your children about HONESTY? Man what a crazy world we live in. I have seen many people being taken advantage of by teachers over the years. Some recover, and move on to better things, some do not. Martial Arts is for self defense, so first thing to learn before joining a school, is to defend your best interest by choosing a good school! Being a father myself, of course I believe all people want to defend their children!

Martial Arts can be the greatest adventure and life changing career, hobby, passion for many people. So, just like college, just like sending your kids to day care, please CHECK THE PLACE OUT IN FINE DETAIL! You do not want to make a huge mistake, because of laziness, or blind trust, just because someone wears a blackbelt and is called Master, or Sensei,is no reason to believe everything they say etc.

Unfortunately times have changed since I was a child. Back then, you would trust people until they broke your trust, nowadays, you can't trust people until they earn your trust!

Anyone can buy a blackbelt, put it on, and open a school, anyone can join organizations to make them seem legitimate. I am constantly amazed at how few people check out their Martial Arts teacher in any detail! In the world we live in today, we must be extra careful when choosing someone to teach us anything. People can buy college degrees on the internet, anyone can put on a blackbelt and open a school. People with legitimate blackbelts can also be of bad character, and have criminal records.

You will most likely find great teachers, , great role models, as their are many, and great friends for life. Martial Arts will change your life,and teach your children many great lessons, keep you healthy, keep you focused, make you more confident, teach your children discipline, boost their self esteem! All these great rewards can be yours, so do your homework, find the right place for you, and TRAIN HARD! Martial Arts is an investment in time, work, sweat, and dedication, you want to make sure all your work is not in vain, choose a school carefully.

here are just a few examples from the news

1)"NY MARTIAL ARTS TEACHER AND MOVIE STAR CHARGED!"

According to the New York Post, Xian Gao, owner of several schools in the New York City area, and one of the stars of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", was charged September 14 with running a prostitution ring out of one of his kung fu schools. The school featured a massage parlor that the police are alleging was actually a front for a prostitution ring. Three female employees were also arrested.
Xian Gao played Bo, the head of security for the governor in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

I haver met and talked with Sifu Gao on a few occasions, you would never know this stuff went on at his school. I was very shocked!

2)MARTIAL ARTS TEACHER ARRESTED FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT WITH A MINOR

COLUMBIA, SC -- Authorities say Brian Tiller was arrested in Greenwood for Criminal Sexual Conduct with a minor. Officials say the incident happened in August 2006, while Tiller and the victim were in Columbia for a karate tournament.

Sgt. Florence McCants with the Columbia Police Department says they were alerted to the situation when the boy's mother brought him into the station Thursday.

Tiller was arrested in Greenwood and expected to be transported back to Columbia sometime this week.

3)KIDNAPPING SUSPECT WAS GIRL'S MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR
VIENNA, Va. - A frightening experience for twin 10-year-old girls allegedly involving a man who had taught the girls martial arts at a school in Vienna.
Police say Andrew Jacobs, 42, of Vienna is charged with burglary, two counts of abduction and four counts of assault after he allegedly broke into their Vienna home late Saturday.

Jacobs taught the girls martial arts at a Vienna school, and apparently did a pretty good job, judging by the bruises seen on his face in court Monday. Police say he got a black eye and other injuries when the girls fought back during the break in.

The girls also managed to partially pull off a mask Jacobs was wearing, and they also recognized his voice. The parents hit Jacobs over the head with a lamp.

A judge is ordering Jacobs held without bond on assault, abduction and burglary charges.

4)MARTIAL ARTS TEACHER ARRESTED
January 30, 2007

Efrain Israel Ortiz, a Watsonville elementary school teacher and martial arts instructor, pleaded no contest Monday to a charge of battery. Ortiz, 44, a fourth-grade teacher at Landmark Elementary School and owner of the now defunct Jabez' Academy Martial Arts, was charged with felony child molestation and a misdemeanor of committing lewd acts with a child.

Prosecutor Ross Taylor said the charges stem from an incident where Ortiz had an 11-year-old girl grab his genitals during a kung fu lesson at the martial arts school. In his plea to the battery charge, Ortiz admitted he had the girl touch him for sexual gratification, Taylor said.

5) BOND DENIED FOR KARATE INSTRUCTOR
ARIETTA -- A Cobb County judge on Wednesday denied bond for a martial arts teacher accused of molesting two students in his class, citing his decision to flee Florida seven years ago on similar charges.

The decision means Hyuk Song, 28, will remain at the Cobb County Jail, where he is facing several charges in connection with the alleged molestation of two Cobb girls.

One thing we learn in Martial Arts is HOW TO DEVELOPE AWARENESS! Be aware of what to look for when choosing a school. These examples are enough to get the picture! There are many great places to train, with very trustworthy people, so do not be scared, but BE SMART! DO YOUR HOMEWORK! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

Written by Shifu Dan Regan L.Ac.
www.regansmartialarts.com