Taekwondo black belts become teachers
To some, a black belt is a chic fashion accessory, but to others, it represents years of hard work and dedication to martial arts.
Andy Cho, senior, and Anna Cismaru, junior, are black belts in the field of taekwondo and their passion for the art has led them to instructing positions for their studio. Cho started practicing martial arts 12 years ago, and after years of training in the studio, he is now a third degree black belt.
Since 8th grade, Cho has used his talents to help teach kids the fundamentals of taekwondo. In his years as an instructor, he has learned how to best conduct himself with his students, who range from age five to age 16.
“(It is important) to have a balance between being strict but also being friendly enough so that the kids want to come back,” Cho said. “You definitely have to be loud…and also just be friendly with all the students and the parents, too.”
Cismaru began practicing taekwondo at 11-years-old. “At first, my parents wanted me to do it so I could learn to defend myself, but then I actually started to really like it after,” she said.
After obtaining her first degree black belt, Cismaru made the transition to teacher, and now instructs the five to seven-year-old kids in her studio.
Cismaru has been instructing for nearly a year and enjoys her new role. “It’s really hard, but it’s rewarding because (the kids are) adorable,” she said.
Cho also finds the teaching experience enjoyable. “You know, it’s just really cute seeing them try. Just watching them think they know what they’re doing, but they don’t is probably the highlight of my day,” Cho said.
Cho and Cismaru see a wide variety of students in the studio, all trying taekwondo for various reasons but often initially encouraged by their parents.
“Some students I feel like their parents want to instill discipline, but they don’t want to do it themselves, so they send them to us,” Cho said.
Andy Reddy, junior, is also a taekwondo instructor to youth interested in martial arts and agrees that parents often play a role in the beginning of a child’s taekwondo career.
“Initially, most of (the kids’) parents force them into it, but after that they stay usually because it’s fun and interactive, yet still individually oriented… for those that don’t like team sports,” Reddy said.
As instructors, Cho, Cismaru and Reddy not only help teach the physical skills of taekwondo but also the mental aspects of the sport.
“We practice basic technique: kicking, punching,” Cho said. “We practice self defence technique, also. We do some aerobics, like cardio activity and we do some gymnastics, too.”
“Discipline (and respect) are very important.. like if you address an instructor, you have to call them sir or ma’am,” Reddy said.
Cho, Cismaru, and Reddy are not only teachers but examples to their students who someday aspire to become black belts.
To advance to his current black belt position, Cho was tested on the the basic aspects of taekwondo. “One of the aspects is the form, another one is breaking a board with a specific technique,” Cho said. “We have an oral speaking part, so that you have to memorize answers to questions about martial arts.. and we also have teacher recommendations and parent teacher recommendations, so you have to be doing well at home and academically.”
Even if kids do not want to become black belts, Cho still recommends everyone to try out taekwondo. “I’d say just try it it because it’s fun, and we have fun just being there. It’s a good environment,” Cho said.