Will the school let me?

Question

I'm going to graduate in december and be a teacher. there's a teacher who's retiring and i'm getting his job when I graduate. I know this won't happen during the spring, but next fall, when school starts, if I gather my info and give a h**l of a presentation, will the school-board approve of a karate class offered? I would teach them basics, kata, sparring, some self-defense, and also the history of karate-do. In my 6 years of doing it I've seen 5 knockouts, 8 bloody noses, couple of broken fingers, PLENTY of bruises, and little kids who cry cuz they didn't win anything. lol. anyhow, this really isn't that bad. I believe the school should allow me to offer karate as a class. We let kids play football, right? well more people will get injured in football than karate. what do you all think?

Answer 1

I don't really think the school "owes" you anything, accept perhaps a degree or certificate for completing a prescribed course.  Saying that the school is obligated to give you a position being vacated by a tenured and retiring teacher doesn't pass my logic test.  Football is one thing, karate as a credit based course in school, well, perhaps it could be an elective P.E. credit, but not much more than this.  BTW, if you are graduating, what are you really going to teach, karate only?  If the school currently teaches this, OK, but still they don't OWE you a job.  No, sorry.

Answer 2

I think you haven't given us enough information. First of all, we don't know at what level you teach, and we don't know what other sports are offered at the school, if any.  We don't know what your qualifications are as a karate instructor - even if the school wants karate taught, I would assume they would not allow someone who was not fully certified teach.  Are you a P.E. teacher, or are you talking about this as an after school, extracurricular activity?  

I'm bothered by your statement that you believe the school SHOULD allow you to offer the class.  I could see offering this as a possibility, but it sounds like you are being more than a little presumptuous about it.  They have no obligation to do anything.  What they do will depend on their insurance, their budget, the perceived liability, the history of sports at the school, the demand, and your qualifications.