Ask Mr. Due!
(or Frequently Asked Questions)
Who are the staff members?
Mr. Perdue is the Chief Instructors and Mrs. Perdue is She-Who-Must-Be_Obeyed if Mr. Perdue knows what is good for him. Mr. Krinsky is the Managing Instructor of the Westerville School. Mr. Morgan is the Managing Instructor of the Sunbury School. Ms. Geho, Mr. Geho, Mr. Malone, Mr. Kessler, Ms. McClellan are all Sr. Certified Instructors and assistant managers that teach mostly in Westerville but can be found at either location on occasion. Additionally, we have well of 30 volunteer instructors. All of the instructors at the school have passed several national tests, both physical and written, before they are allowed to teach in the school. All of the instructors are First Aid and CPR certified and have many hours of teaching experience. Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Gerard are at the counter to help everyone with all the paperwork stuff. All three of them are students and can answer not only your office needs, but some of your basic training questions as well.
Why do they call you Mr. Due?
Many years ago, the younger brothers and sisters of the students could not say Mr. Perdue and would instead say "Misser A doo." Then it got shortened rather quickly to Mr. Due. It became a nickname that stuck.
How many times a week should my child or I come to class?
Students should attend a minimum of 2 classes a week (3 is best). Setting a schedule and being consistent is important. It is better to do 2 classes every week than missing a week and then trying to make it up the next week. Additionally, students that do not come to class consistently often feel out of place and then do not want to come to class. Students that do come on a consistent basis feel better and actually look forward to coming to class.
However, remember we live in Ohio. If a sudden sunny day pops out of no where, don't stick to your schedule. Let the kids get outside and play. Flexibility is important. Not just on the mat, but in how we deal with all of life. Be flexible.
Can I go to either location?
Yes. No matter whether you signed up at the Westerville or Sunbury location, you can attend either school. In fact, we have alternated the schedule at the two schools on purpose.
What are the Uniform requirements?
Each student is issued an official Taekwondo America Uniform upon enrollment. All students are required to wear either their full uniform or their uniform pants, a souvenir Taekwondo America T-shirt from an event or a PWT T-shirt and belt. Female students should wear a plain white T-shirt under their uniform jacket when in full uniform. Uniforms should be clean and free of holes.
Should students practice at home?
Practicing at home is not required provided that students attend 2 or more classes per week. However, if students wish to practice at home, it should be done in an approved area with plenty of space. Board breaking should not be done until the student is taught how to do it in class. Parents can help by holding a target, watching forms and asking questions. But please, don't try to teach. That will actually create confusion.
How do I find out what is happening in the school?
Every month, the school publishes a newsletter so that all of the students (and parents) know the dates and times for upcoming events. Additionally, each newsletter will have the current class schedule in it. With the wonders of technology, we also have this wonderful web site and a Facebook page. All of which to keep you updated.
What if my child uses Taekwondo at home or at school?
Tell me (Mr. Perdue) IMMEDIATELY. While I understand that students can be a little over anxious to share and show off, this can be dangerous. Please inform me, or the person in the office, as soon as possible so that we can take steps to correct the situation.
What do the instructors expect from the students?
All of the instructors and I expect our students to give their best effort. Technique at the early stages of training is not as important as a positive attitude. If a student tries hard and has a good attitude, they will develop better technique over time because they are listening and learning.
How do the students earn colored "stripes" in class?
Each stripe is earned in class for achieving a short term goal that breaks up the requirements for advancement from one belt to the next.
What is testing?
Testing is a process where we evaluate the skills of the student to determine whether they are ready to progress to the next level of training. What is expected of students depends on the rank, age and physical ability of the student. What is required to pass testing increases dramatically as a student increases in rank. Testing costs $50.00 for White through Sr. Red Belts, and $80.00 for all Senior Black Belt Candidates and Black Belts. Should a student not pass testing, the student does not have to pay for the next testing.
How long does it take to become a Black Belt?
It is mathematically possible to become a Black Belt in just under 2.5 to 3 years. However, it takes most people longer to attain that rank. But remember, Black Belt is the beginning, not the end, of serious training. Black Belt indicates that the wearer is a serious student of the art.
What do the stripes down the pants mean? What do the different collars mean?
The different colored collars signify the certification level the instructor has attained. The thin red or the thin black collar indicates that the student has passed a strict physical, written and oral exam at the school level and has entered the training program for national certification. The red/black collar indicates the instructor has passed the national certification exams and attended the national training conference to become a Jr. Certified Instructor. The thick black collar indicates that the instructor is Sr. Certified. A Sr. Certified Instructor is the highest instructor level short of Master and indicates that the instructor has passed all national certification requirements and has attended several national training conferences. Sr. Certified Instructors are capable of and may now open a school of their own if they wish. Lastly, there is Master Instructor. I don't think I need to explain that one. Masters are given a black stripe down the arm of the uniform. The stripe down the leg of the uniform indicates that the students is a 4th Degree or above.