Good times
My son, Christopher, has been taking Tae Kwon Do since he was around five years old. We were told about the center by another parent, someone I knew to really value a place that cared about kids. When we mentioned it to Christopher's occupational therapist, she was just thrilled. It turned out that Tae Kwon Do is a sport that many OTs recommend for kids who have Christopher's particular quirks, his trouble with balance, and his sensory issues. So we signed him right up.
Christopher had been in other sports before this, the little YMCA things that teach sportsmanship and teamwork without emphasizing competition. His coaches (parent volunteers) had never, ever understood him. They would sometimes look at him like he was an alien and they'd look at me and Pete like we were the cause of all of Christopher's ills. His first Tae Kwon Do instructor was Mr. Barker. He was the very first person outside the family, besides the OT and the specialists, who really "got" Christopher. He was able to teach him and control him (in the very best way). Mr. Barker valued my child for who he was. I loved him for that.
Just as Christopher was about to transition to the children's class (from the little kid class), Mr. Barker left the center to pursue a degree in teaching. I was very sad and so was Sophie, who, at the tender age of three, had developed quite the crush on "Mr. Marker". Christopher went on to have many wonderful teachers at the center, and we've had nothing but good experiences there. Sophie started Tae Kwon Do when she was old enough and has done quite well.
Mr. Barker came back to the center last week and started teaching again last night. Sophie has moved up to the children's class, so both of my kids were in Mr. Barker's session. He is so fantastic with the kids, so encouraging and supportive. I heard him say (the door to the dojang was open), several times, "Good job, Christopher! I like how you did that!" He worked solo with Sophie, as she was the youngest child there and it was her first children's class. She loved it.
I'm so glad that Mr. Barker is back. But most of all, I'm so glad that he was the first of many people, outside our family, who appreciates Christopher just as much as we do.
And boy, has Christopher come a long way. As I was telling Christopher's other instructor (after he said, "Christopher has been doing so well lately.") if someone had told me then that things could be this good now, I wouldn't have believed it.
Christopher had been in other sports before this, the little YMCA things that teach sportsmanship and teamwork without emphasizing competition. His coaches (parent volunteers) had never, ever understood him. They would sometimes look at him like he was an alien and they'd look at me and Pete like we were the cause of all of Christopher's ills. His first Tae Kwon Do instructor was Mr. Barker. He was the very first person outside the family, besides the OT and the specialists, who really "got" Christopher. He was able to teach him and control him (in the very best way). Mr. Barker valued my child for who he was. I loved him for that.
Just as Christopher was about to transition to the children's class (from the little kid class), Mr. Barker left the center to pursue a degree in teaching. I was very sad and so was Sophie, who, at the tender age of three, had developed quite the crush on "Mr. Marker". Christopher went on to have many wonderful teachers at the center, and we've had nothing but good experiences there. Sophie started Tae Kwon Do when she was old enough and has done quite well.
Mr. Barker came back to the center last week and started teaching again last night. Sophie has moved up to the children's class, so both of my kids were in Mr. Barker's session. He is so fantastic with the kids, so encouraging and supportive. I heard him say (the door to the dojang was open), several times, "Good job, Christopher! I like how you did that!" He worked solo with Sophie, as she was the youngest child there and it was her first children's class. She loved it.
I'm so glad that Mr. Barker is back. But most of all, I'm so glad that he was the first of many people, outside our family, who appreciates Christopher just as much as we do.
And boy, has Christopher come a long way. As I was telling Christopher's other instructor (after he said, "Christopher has been doing so well lately.") if someone had told me then that things could be this good now, I wouldn't have believed it.
posted by Candace at 9:12 AM
2 Comments:
Yeah! It is always so nice when some actually "gets" your kid.
We had a Mr. Barker. His name was Sampai Rick, and he was WONDERFUL. There were other good teachers, too, but when Rick left to give his new wife some quality attention, the kids class was handed over to the Sensei, who had been out of the country for a couple of years and recently returned. He was AWFUL with kids.
Poor Emma had three classes with him, and because, at ten, she was the oldest in the group, he drove her mercilessly, till she was red-faced and sobbing.
I suggested that there were other teachers who were more comfortable with the kids. His response? "They're too soft on them."
We've never gone back. Jerk.
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