Why I Love Teaching Kids Karate

Sensei Matt Klein "Teaching kids karate is the best job in the world".

The Kids Karate Sensei is Grateful

I recently sat down and thought, how lucky am I to have a career I love. I sat down and wrote out all the reasons I am grateful. It is a great exercise; I recommend it highly. I am truly blessed, and grateful. Here’s why.

Surrounded by people we like

I like kids. From the very first moment I put on my gi and started helping kids with their karate, I knew I found my calling. The little ones followed me around, asking questions, showing me their moves “that they made up”, while laughing and smiling the whole time. Kids are fun. How could you not like them?

I like the social aspects. I like the sense of community that we have in the karate world. The black belts, who started as kids, and who are now instructors; the parents who have been there supporting their kids and our program for years; the many friendships that have been built in the karate dojo; the jokes, laughs, and “inside information” we all share; this is what builds a great community.

Keeps me fit and young

Keeps me fit. As any mother or father can attest, trying to keep up with the kids can take some serious energy. Let’s face it. We all like to eat, and we all like to relax. I like my food–did anyone say “chocolate”? I enjoy surfing the net and reading other people’s blogs—while sitting down. Without this job to get me up and about, who knows how unfit I would be.

Keeps me young. Kids have a different way of looking at things. The way they talk, the positive way they think (some day they are going to be Superman!), the way they don’t really care how they look when learning new things. How they just start playing a game and everyone is invited, the more the merrier. The wonder of the world around them. Just being around it keeps a person young at heart. I get to play games, have fun, and sometimes act like a kid too.

I am motivated by the martial arts

I like to challenge myself to be better. When I see one of my students perform a kata brilliantly, it inspires me to be better. When I go to a karate tournament and see a guy ten years older than me doing something amazing, it makes me want to do better. I like how everyone around me is constantly lifting their game, which makes me want to do the same.

I am passionate about martial arts. Since the day I walked into my first karate class, I knew I was in it; hook, line, and sinker. Writing down all the moves so I would not forget them, practising almost every day, jumping into the tournament scene, even dreaming about martial arts; I could not get enough. This has not changed one bit, even after half a lifetime.

I am jazzed about what I do and look forward to each day. Those that know me well are aware that I am a bit of a “night bird”, but when I get up in the morning I am fired up and ready to tackle the day ahead. I cannot wait to “get at it”.

I feel like I’ve accomplished something at the end of the day. When I get in my car at the end of the day, I smile knowing that we did something truly amazing. We built up the confidence and self-esteem of youngsters, and helped them to build better lives for themselves. For me, it is the best job in the world.

Why I Love Teaching Kids Karate is an original article by Sensei Matt Klein