Burlington, MA school looking for Youth Coach

[guardup]

Guard Up! Inc. of Burlington MA is looking for Youth Fencing
Instructors. We are more concerned with your ability and desire to
work with kids than your competition record or certifications.

Must have a great sense of humor and adventure.

If you are interested, please apply here:

http://www.guardup.com/saphron/positions.html

Thanks!

[oiuyt]

Note that applicants who are not currently enrolled in Guard Up programs are not trained specifically in the curriculum that we teach. As such, applicants would need to enter our Instructor Training and Work-Study Programs which are unpaid positions until qualified to teach. Understand that this is not an issue of experience for those with such. Instead, it is required to get an Instructor comfortable with our curriculum and our teaching methodology as well as our students.

If accepted into the Instructor Training and Work-Study Programs, actual employment is dependant upon successful completion of these programs as well as an acceptable performance level in the final assessment.

So unpaid training (indeed, you charge for the training (presumably, note my final paragraph)), for a position requiring experience (with both the sport and working with children) for a $10/hour position. Part-time, without benefits (granted you mention the possibility of building to a full-time position), and you "want people who are interested in a future with our company. We are looking for long-term employees with a strong sense of loyalty." Unhuh.

Looking at the website I think you have an interesting approach to the fitness center/martial arts training club/whatever other category you care to put yourself into. I can definitely see a market for what you're doing. I just don't see why an experienced fencer, not from your program, interested in starting coaching would be interested in the position that you're offering.

On the other hand, I CAN see why you might have a market for franchisees.

On a completely separate topic, how can you have a website and then not include information about times that you're open, class schedules, or class costs? If that information is on the website any where you've done a great job of hiding it....

-B :)

[guardup]

Thank you for taking the time to view our Hiring Guidelines as well as our website.

I will respond to each of your concerns here

<<So unpaid training (indeed, you charge for the training (presumably, note my final paragraph)), >>

No, we do not charge for the training. People interested in becoming instructors enter into an upaid training program to see how they like working in our type of environment. It is a sort of mutual "get to know you" time when we can assess their skill and they can assess our facility without commitment from either party beyond us providing the training and them taking the training.

<<for a position requiring experience (with both the sport and working with children) for a $10/hour position. Part-time, without benefits (granted you mention the possibility of building to a full-time position), and you "want people who are interested in a future with our company. We are looking for long-term employees with a strong sense of loyalty." Unhuh.>>

No, we do not require experience as much as a desire and ability to work with kids (as stated in the original post and on our website). USFA instructors are great to have, but we recognize that they may not enjoy a non-competitive environment with more of an emphasis on personal growth than on tournament trophies.

Every one of our full-time staff started as a part time instructor. So the possibility of going full time is very real for those who want it.

<<Looking at the website I think you have an interesting approach to the fitness center/martial arts training club/whatever other category you care to put yourself into. I can definitely see a market for what you're doing. I just don't see why an experienced fencer, not from your program, interested in starting coaching would be interested in the position that you're offering.>>

The people we have working for us are interested in more than fencing. They like the positive impact that fencing has on kids and adults on a personal level. They are more interested in teaching kids how to be well-rounded kids who fence than in well-rounded fencers. It's not a typical Salle. But then, 248 students show that there is, indeed, a market for this type of training.

<<On a completely separate topic, how can you have a website and then not include information about times that you're open, class schedules, or class costs? If that information is on the website any where you've done a great job of hiding it.... >>

The information is available to those who wish to call us about lessons. This way, we can directly address any concerns that they may have immediately. EG We offer 38 classes a week, 6 days a week. Some people *think* they are looking for fencing, when in fact, they are more interested in Sport Sword (which is what most novices think fencing is) or vice versa. As well, we offer scholarships to those who are on a limited income. And we are always adding new classes which would make updating the schedule difficult when announcing a new class that is due to open in 2 weeks.

In sum, we know that each prospective student has unique needs and concerns. We would rather address those needs and concerns over the phone or in person so that we can be sure that they know everything they need to know about our services before they take the time to come in and try out a class.

I hope I addressed all of your questions. If not, let me know. Thank you again for taking the time to find out about Guard Up and asking for more information.

Meghan Gardner
Director
Guard Up Inc.
www.guardup.com
Burlington, MA

[oiuyt]

No, we do not charge for the training. People interested in becoming instructors enter into an upaid training program to see how they like working in our type of environment.

Okay, it wasn't clear, and, as mentioned, you don't include any information about what classes cost on your website. There are at least a couple of programs out there that run instructor training classes (for a fee), yours sounded very similar.

<<for a position requiring experience (with both the sport and working with children) for a $10/hour position. Part-time, without benefits (granted you mention the possibility of building to a full-time position), and you "want people who are interested in a future with our company. We are looking for long-term employees with a strong sense of loyalty." Unhuh.>>

No, we do not require experience as much as a desire and ability to work with kids (as stated in the original post and on our website). USFA instructors are great to have, but we recognize that they may not enjoy a non-competitive environment with more of an emphasis on personal growth than on tournament trophies.

From your website:
<<Wanted: Qualified Part-Time Youth Instructors>>
<<The above should be experienced in their respective art/sport as well as working with kids of various ages. References required.>>
<<Part of the interview would require a physical assessment of skill >>

While you do definitely include text opening the possiblity of non-experienced (or at least low-experience) applicants, I still believe that what your announcement is asking for is clearly an experienced person. Experienced not only with some form of sword-based martial art (fencing, kendo, aikido, etc.), but also with instruction of children.

<<On a completely separate topic, how can you have a website and then not include information about times that you're open, class schedules, or class costs? If that information is on the website any where you've done a great job of hiding it.... >>

The information is available to those who wish to call us about lessons. This way, we can directly address any concerns that they may have immediately. EG We offer 38 classes a week, 6 days a week. Some people *think* they are looking for fencing, when in fact, they are more interested in Sport Sword (which is what most novices think fencing is) or vice versa. As well, we offer scholarships to those who are on a limited income. And we are always adding new classes which would make updating the schedule difficult when announcing a new class that is due to open in 2 weeks.

I guess this is just a difference in philosophy on how to best distribute information and best utilize a website.

-B

[RITFencing]

No, we do not require experience as much as a desire and ability to work with kids (as stated in the original post and on our website). USFA instructors are great to have, but we recognize that they may not enjoy a non-competitive environment with more of an emphasis on personal growth than on tournament trophies.

No offense, but that seems like a cheap shot towards competition fencers. We work our *sses off to get those "tournament trophies," and a great deal of personal growth is generally involved in making a good competitor.

[guardup]

No offense, but that seems like a cheap shot towards competition fencers. We work our *sses off to get those "tournament trophies," and a great deal of personal growth is generally involved in making a good competitor.

RIT,

Please note that I did not say that competition fencers do not experience personal growth. I said that our is an environment that *emphasizes* personal growth *more* than trophies.

It's just a difference in where the priorities are. No cheap shots were intended and I apologize if it seemed that way.

Meghan Gardner
Guard Up Inc.
www.guardup.com
(781) 271-1491

[RITFencing]

RIT,

Please note that I did not say that competition fencers do not experience personal growth. I said that our is an environment that *emphasizes* personal growth *more* than trophies.

It's just a difference in where the priorities are. No cheap shots were intended and I apologize if it seemed that way.

Meghan Gardner
Guard Up Inc.
www.guardup.com
(781) 271-1491

The thing is, it's not really the trophies that matter. To say that all we are trying for is a shiny lump of metal is a bit demeaning. The reason we bust our humps day in and day out is ot be the absolute best we can possibly be. Competition fencing (or any other sport) is all about self improvement, physically and mentally. We do it because we love being pushed to our limits, overcoming large challenges and ending up with the thrill of victory and (hopefully, though not always, and almost never the size one wants ) a cheering crowd. It's all about the rush we get. At least, it is for me.

[guardup]

The thing is, it's not really the trophies that matter. To say that all we are trying for is a shiny lump of metal is a bit demeaning. The reason we bust our humps day in and day out is ot be the absolute best we can possibly be. Competition fencing (or any other sport) is all about self improvement, physically and mentally. We do it because we love being pushed to our limits, overcoming large challenges and ending up with the thrill of victory and (hopefully, though not always, and almost never the size one wants ) a cheering crowd. It's all about the rush we get. At least, it is for me.

Thank you for your clarification. I understand that it isn't the trophy you are after... it is the victory of the match and being pushed to your limits to achieve this. And this requires great expenditure of time and effort.

However, the approach we take is that the match and victory isn't as important as, for example, learning how a disengage in fencing can be applied to a difficult situation at work. Or being flexible (mentally and/or physically) with how you enact an attack to get a point can be the same strategy for dealing with a psychological fear that you may have.

To say that we are into "personal growth" is as terse as saying that competitive fencers are into "trophies". Being succinct may not be the best method here.

[RITFencing]

Thank you for your clarification. I understand that it isn't the trophy you are after... it is the victory of the match and being pushed to your limits to achieve this. And this requires great expenditure of time and effort.

However, the approach we take is that the match and victory isn't as important as, for example, learning how a disengage in fencing can be applied to a difficult situation at work. Or being flexible (mentally and/or physically) with how you enact an attack to get a point can be the same strategy for dealing with a psychological fear that you may have.

To say that we are into "personal growth" is as terse as saying that competitive fencers are into "trophies". Being succinct may not be the best method here.

Excellent point at the end. Honestly, to do well in high level competition, you have to learn things like mental rigidity, and you have to overcome your own psychological fear of competition and you will generally gain a good deal of maturity as you learn about winning, losing, adversity and sportsmanship. Especially in a sport like fencing, you have to learn to stand on your own without constantly blaming teammates, coaches, directors or you'll never go anywhere.

While saying that victory is our ultimate goal is closer to the truth, it's not quite there yet. Personally, I compete to try and go as far as I possibly can, both in terms of rankings and my own fencing ability. I never fence so well as when I'm in a high pressure bout against a very skilled fencer and I want to win badly.

[guardup]

Perhaps the primary difference, then, is just in the emphasis that is communicated for teaching. You, as a competitive fencer, learn these important life skills to succeed in fencing. I would put forth, however, that these skills are not the primary focus of your coach when he/she teaches you. Or they are - but only as they apply to fencing. And this is only with some coaches.

Our focus and emphasis is different. This isn't to say that those not at our club don't achieve these skills... it's just that we are more obvious about it in our lessons.

[RITFencing]

Perhaps the primary difference, then, is just in the emphasis that is communicated for teaching. You, as a competitive fencer, learn these important life skills to succeed in fencing. I would put forth, however, that these skills are not the primary focus of your coach when he/she teaches you. Or they are - but only as they apply to fencing. And this is only with some coaches.

Our focus and emphasis is different. This isn't to say that those not at our club don't achieve these skills... it's just that we are more obvious about it in our lessons.

I think that's a pretty reasonable thing to say. The focus, when I give or recieve lessons, is always on becoming a better fencer, but the other stuff does happen. I guess in your club, it's the other way around: Using fencing to teach life skills, with fencing skill as a secondary priority. Does that sound about right?

There's a corrolary when I coach or fence, and it's that the most important thing of all is that people are enjoying themselves, but I'm sure it's the same way at GU.

[guardup]

I'd say your summation is correct. We serve a different type of student. This is our niche and allows us to not compete with the local clubs. It also has a somewhat broader appeal for parents who are interested in more than another activity or sport for their kids. They like that their children are learning about skills that are more obviously applicable outside of the school.

The kids, on the other hand, just enjoy all of the games, drills and the idea of being a "swordfighter"... that they are learning life skills isn't as important to them as the fact that they are having fun.

The key point is that we aren't better than other fencing schools... and we aren't worse. We are different. However, we don't promise what we don't provide. We don't make claims to be what we are not. And we enjoy what we are... knowing that we can't be all things to all people.

It's a concept that is hard for some to swallow... because fencing is a sport with alot of history. And here we come, doing things very differently, focusing on different benefits of fencing. Some people don't like it because it's too different than what they know and love about fencing. But what is also interesting is the number of people who start fencing at our school, then go to a competitive school, and then return to us. They found something here that they didn't realize was very important to them.

As you say - it's all about the people and what they want. Fencing is wonderful in that it can be different things to different people. Some of these things are measureable and some are less tangible.

[RITFencing]

It's a concept that is hard for some to swallow... because fencing is a sport with alot of history. And here we come, doing things very differently, focusing on different benefits of fencing. Some people don't like it because it's too different than what they know and love about fencing. But what is also interesting is the number of people who start fencing at our school, then go to a competitive school, and then return to us. They found something here that they didn't realize was very important to them.

As you say - it's all about the people and what they want. Fencing is wonderful in that it can be different things to different people. Some of these things are measureable and some are less tangible.

Actually, it's not that difficult of a concept to grasp. I know several people who never really compete and have no plans to, but still work just as hard at practice as everyone else. Fencing, like many things, is whatever one makes of it.