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<blogEntry id="2679">
	<title><![CDATA[The Very First One!!!!]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[July 15, 2006.

A day for me to remember.

This is the day when I can officially call myself a Teacher of Aikido.

That's when the first of my students to earn her shodan gives her shodan presentation.

The way things are done in our school, it's pretty much a done deal.  We would not have set the date if I didn't plan on awarding the rank.  Sure, she has a couple of things to work on between now and then - not least of which is her presentation - but I have no doubt she'll do it.

I think this may be a bigger deal than my own shodan was.  At least to me.

It made me consider the good and bad of the last three years of teaching:

[list=0]
[*]Good: I have some very dedicated and talented students.
[*]Bad: I was a pretty green teacher when I fell into this dojocho role.
[*]Good: I've learned a lot and I believe I'm a much better dojocho - and teacher - than I was back then.
[*]Bad: In the process of learning I chased away a lot of good students.
[*]Good: I'm solidly established in the community.
[*]Bad: I need to do a better job of outreach.
[/list]

But, mostly, I'm happy that my student has earned her shodan.  And I have another one due in about three months.  Will he make it? I believe so, but he's not done yet.  Plus a junior shodan (different from adult shodan, but still an accomplishment) within six months.

This year is going to be a great ride.]]></body>
	<date>07-05-2006</date>
</blogEntry>
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