Susan Fitzell - Educational Consultant & Speaker » Martial Arts for Peace

What I Learned about Teaching from Studying Martial Arts

Susan Fitzell — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:11:48 +0000

Excerpt from a 1993 journal entry:

I wrote a note to my building principal to update him on my progress in Kung Fu since the “Kung Fu Parable”. I told him that my experience in Kung Fu will make me a better teacher. It has reminded me of what it feels like to be a “kid/student” [...]

Putting on the Boxing Gloves: A Teaching Analogy

Susan Fitzell — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:56:32 +0000

I often gain tremendous insight into my role as teacher and learner from my martial arts experience. It seems that the physical nature of the martial arts makes the paralleling abstract concepts of the academics very [...]

Experience As The Teacher

Susan Fitzell — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:32:53 +0000

What struck me in all this is how I began to feel about the class. I no longer felt safe. That lack of feeling safe destroyed my motivation and desire to remain in the [...]

KUNG FU PARABLE (Or what’s going on with those at-risk kids? They just don't try! They just don't study!)

Susan Fitzell — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 01:43:49 +0000

I'm a Learning Disabilities teacher at a public high school. I have worked with "at-risk" kids for the past nine years. I've always thought I had a good understanding of my students, and could empathize with their hardships. However, throughout my own educational training and career, I've had very little academic difficulty. I had to work hard, but, I always did well. I had enough confidence in my ability to learn that I was willing to make the investment.... Then, I started taking kung [...]