At the 2015 World Conference, the ATA rolled out new guidelines for the different levels of instructor training and one procedure that is going to make certifying instructors more convenient for some schools. School owner and chief instructor Karyn Graff attended a multi-day course at Fall Nationals that will allow Oakmont Martial Arts to conduct its own instructor certification camps.
“This is such a huge benefit,” Ms. Graff said, “as it will help to create quality instructors at OMA and for our region in tournament judging. It’s a great benefit to not have to wait for a regional camp to come around once a year.”
In fact, OMA is holding its first camp on Saturday, November 21. “We had a lot of support raising money through private lessons,” Ms. Graff said. “Thanks to everyone who supported that fundraiser!”
The following instructors will be attending and certifying:
Cyndl Hale: renewing Level 3 certification
Enrico Corsaro and Kathy Humes: Level 2 certification
Robert Shepherd: Level 1 certification
In addition, Trainee Instructor Doug Carnahan and three Junior Leader students (Michael Sutton, Emily Davidheiser, and Aidan Carnahan) will be auditing the camp to prepare for future instructor certification.
The national requirements for each instructor level have been revised, all designed to improve the quality of instructors by leveling up the knowledge required. “OMA has always asked instructors to demonstrate all material up to their rank,” said Ms. Graff. “Previous national requirements asked a Level 1 instructor to demonstrate basic color belt material, Level 2 the intermediate color belt material, and Level 3 the advanced color belt material. New national requirements ask Level 1 instructors to demonstrate all material up to their rank, making the standards higher on a national level. This is a huge improvement, in my opinion.”
The new requirements for each instructor level are as follows.
Level 1:
- All forms to rank
- All one-steps*
- All self-defenses*
- All warrior combos
- All kicking drills to rank
- A five minute teaching demonstration
- Fitness test
- Minimum of 100 teaching hours
- Background check
- CPR certification
- Minimum age of 14
*On a national level, ATA does not require one-steps or self-defenses for certification. This is an additional requirement for OMA instructors.
Level 2:
- All Level 1 requirements
- Demonstration of specific teaching skills, in addition to physical skills
- An additional 100 teaching hours (minimum)**
- Minimum age of 16
Level 3:
- All Level 1 and Level 2 requirements
- Demonstration of teaching specific life skills
- Written test
- An additional 100 teaching hours (minimum)**
- Minimum age of 18
- Minimum rank of 1st Degree Black Belt
**At each level, this is a new set of teaching hours. For example, if an instructor accumulates 300 hours for her Level 1 certification, she cannot use those hours for all levels. She must accumulate a new set of 100 hours for each level.
The updated national requirements are designed to increase the quality of instructors across the ATA, something that benefits not just the students at OMA, but everyone. With that in mind, “good skills” to all who are participating in the instructor certification camp this weekend. We know you will rock it!
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A software technical writer by day, Mary Sutton is the mother of two teens and has been making her living with words for over ten years. She is the author of the Hero’s Sword middle-grade fantasy series, writing as M.E. Sutton, and The Laurel Highlands Mysteries police-procedural series, writing as Liz Milliron. Visit her online at www.marysuttonauthor.com.
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