Intro to Instructorship
Teaching is a duty, not merely a source of income. While receiving payment is important, the essence of teaching lies in sharing skills and values that enrich the lives of students.
Whether or not you want to commit to head instructorship as a Kru, senior level students with a passion for teaching start as a Poo Choi (PC) or “assistant instructor.” Poo chois play a crucial role in student and teacher support in Muay Thai schools; as they are additional leaders who facilitate the growth of student skill and camaraderie.
1. Know or Find Your “Why”
Before we get into how to teach, know why you want to teach. Our reasons drive the passion to learn sincerely, thrive through obstacles and create or seize the opportunities to grow. Take some time without any distractions to reflect on your why. There are no right or wrong answers, but the answers will influence how you will navigate your goal.
2. Character Traits
Aside from possessing technical skills, instructors must also exhibit specific traits to effectively teach and lead. Also, being a good person is mandatory (offline and online) 🙏
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It’s no surprise that public speaking is an essential part of teaching— instructors must possess excellent verbal communication skills. Aside from sharing technique, an instructor must also connect with their students by teaching in context with life outside training. The priority is still to articulate technical concepts, but storytelling is a great way to engage students with their training.
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Good teachers understand that not all students learn in the same way or at the same pace, and have different personalities and experiences. It is crucial that a teacher can modify a lesson plan (if necessary) rather than relying solely on only one method or only have the patience to teach a particular type of personality or experience level. Given that students differ in age, background and experience levels, a teacher must be able to shift their focus, tone, and delivery based on the individual or the vibe of the group.
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As an assistant instructor, it's crucial to maintain open communication with your head instructor. Aside from fulfilling the expected duties of an instructor, providing feedback/suggestions or addressing issues/concerns ensure the growth of the school. As the community grows, assistant instructors must also work with and guide junior level instructors.
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No matter the subject, our favorite teachers are passionate about what they teach. And that passion comes from a commitment to ongoing professional development. As a martial arts teacher, this means you still make time to train for yourself. This works two-fold: you practice what you preach, and you sharpen knowledge of your craft.
Your passion for learning must deepen outside your craft too: learn about your students and what impact them (e.g. self-esteem, stress, mental health, bullying, trauma/abuse are some of many relevant themes that students deal with regardless of age or gender). Students want to learn from someone who is not only knowledgable but also someone they can trust, and you cannot build trust without connection and compassion.
3. Find a Path
As a Poo Choi, you have a choice in the role (or roles) to focus on:
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In a class of five, ten, fifteen, twenty, thirty, (even forty) a single instructor can only do so much. As an assistant class instructor, you are the second-in-command for student and head instructor support.
Duties include:
Welcome and onboard trials before and after class
Lead warm-ups and drills
Demonstrate sound technique
Hold pads for students (including during blue short tests)
Create and execute lesson plans that lead to a safe and productive class
Provide sound technical advice
Lead and supervise gym space clean-ups before and after class
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Group classes are only one way to learn. A private instructor is for those who cannot make the set times or learn better in a smaller setting.
Duties:
Maintain technique with regular attendance to classes and/or train on your own time
Promote private practice to attract your own students (the head instructor and community can still refer students, but it is your sole responsibility to get students without relying on referrals)
Create lesson plans for each student
Book/reschedule students
Welcome and onboard trials
Deliver a safe, and productive training session
Improve students’ abilities
Clean gym space and equipment used after training sessions
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Competition is mentally and physically taxing, and as a fight corner, your job is to assist the head coach and the athlete leading up to and on the day of the fight.
Duties include:
Attend blue short classes and assist in fight camps (e.g. padholder/sparring partner)
Read and understand Muay Thai Ontario competition rules and regulations
Prepare and bring all corner equipment on the day of the bout
Staying up to date on bout schedule (this means staying at the venue from the start of the weigh-ins until the end of your athlete’s bout)
Assist in pre-fight warm-up and post-fight clean-up
4. Requirements
Below are the essential steps (including financial commitments) to becoming a certified Muay Thai assistant instructor:
Minimum 1.5 to 2 years experience as a blue shorts level student and consistent assistance in classes/events
MTO Poo Choi Kru Certification (estimate $250+/one-time)*must be nominated by your Kru
CPR/First Aid Certification (est. $50-200+/certification)
Complete Vulnerable Sector Background Check every year
Attendance to educational seminars under MTO (est. $75-$200+/seminar)
Additional requirements for fight cornerman/coach:
MTO Coach and Cornerman Certification (estimate $200-$300+/seminar)
Register as a cornerman/coach under MTO (estimate $70+/year)
Register for tournaments as a cornerman/coach (estimate $50-$100/tournament) and pay for own accommodations if the tournament is outside the city (estimate $100+/day)*some single-show fights do not require additional registration
5. Plan
Now that you have an idea of what to expect, envision where you are now, where you want to be and break it down into 3 timelines. As you set your goals, consider circumstances outside of Muay Thai too—your financial, social, and personal goals and responsibilities can affect or influence instructorship pursuits:
Think long-term: where do you see yourself in Muay Thai in 3 years?
Work backward: based on your 3-year goal, what can you do within a year?
Start now (or soon): given your 3 years and 1 year, what can you do now and in the next three months?
Once you have an idea of how you want to lead or want to learn more, share it with your Kru. This will allow us to have an open and constructive conversation on the next steps :)
