Instructor Trainee Program
This program is for teen/adult students ages 16 and above to prepare them for instructor certification. Trainee instructors are people who enjoy teaching others or who are interested in a career in the martial arts.
The ATA Trainee Instructor Program was devised in order to allow adult students to become a Certified Instructor. The additional responsibilities and challenges of the program increase each student’s self esteem and teaching ability.
Students interested in becoming an Instructor should contact the Head Instructor. Prior to age 16, students enter the Junior Leadership Program.
Trainee Instructors can be permitted to run classes, by permission of the Head Instructor. The Trainee Instructor must attend weekly classes to keep abreast of curriculum requirements and must be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the curriculum to the Head Instructor. The TI must teach or assist with at least one class per week to help develop both their teaching and leadership skills.
The following items are included in the Instructor Trainee Program:
A weekly Instructor Trainee class will be offered. Classes include philosophy, development of leadership skills, Black Belt life skills, marketing, instruction, history, curriculum and physical development.
Eligible to wear heavy weight competition uniform with red collar and name.
Upon completion of certification levels (1-3), the Instructor Trainee may purchase uniforms with Red/Black collars.
Instructor Manual, which covers all required material and tests for the Trainee Instructor program.
Eligibility to attend additional Regional and National ATA Training seminars to become a Certified Instructor in the ATA.
Instructor Trainee Requirements
The American Taekwondo Association, the Songahm Taekwondo Federation, and the World Traditional Taekwondo Union have set strict guidelines for the academic and physical training required to become a Certified Taekwondo Instructor. In the United States, the ATA's Instructor Training Curriculum is the mainstay of all ATA Instructor education.
Each Instructor Trainee pursues an intensive course of training. Physical Taekwondo skills must be mastered, and the techniques required to teach this material must be acquired and refined. The Trainee spends 2-3 years practicing educational strategies for all age groups, during which time the collar of their uniform, which symbolizes the yoke of responsibility they bear as instructors, changes from Red, to Red-Black, and to Black-Red-Black.
The Instructor Trainee must complete 300 hours of "student-teaching" under the supervision of a senior instructor. Certification in CPR and Youth Protection is required of all Instructor Trainees. The Instructor Trainee must also pass Levels 1, 2 and 3 Certification. Level-1 certification (Red/Black Collar) covers the applications and knowledge of the ATA “Life Skills”. Level-2 certification covers Instructor Trainee teaching skills (Black/Red/Black Collar).
Level-3 is accomplished at an ATA Instructor Training Camp; a multiple day intensive experience in which the Trainee Instructor attends workouts and training events 12 hours/day. The Trainees practice, refine and demonstrate techniques (physical material) under the personal supervision of High Rank Songahm Masters. Only after passing a practical teaching examination and demonstrating instructional competence in all of the Songahm Taekwondo material before the Masters of Songahm, do the Trainees receive final Certification, the coveted "Black Collar", and earn the title "Sah-Bum-Nim" (Instructor).
Instructor Trainee candidates must also pass a background check conducted by the ATA.