Parents and Senseis Together

  I'm Jeremiah Harkema, I'm Christopher and Gabriel's dad. Christopher (age 8) just got his blue belt, and Gabriel (age 6) just got his tiger 1 belt. You'll see us at the dojo every Monday and Wednesday, and every special event we can get to.

  If you've been at the dojo for even a short time I'm sure you can see the differences beginning to show in your kids. A little more confident, a little stronger, a little more respectful. My wife and I enrolled our kids to give them the experience of working for and achieving goals. During our time at the dojo we've attended the annual award ceremony, annual wrestling tournament, annual karate tournament, board breaking for the cure, beach training, Karate Kid movie event, countless kids safety classes, and Gabriel's sixth birthday party. We have been continuously impressed by the senseis and the program they use to teach with the emphasis on respect.

  The dojo is more than just a place where the kids learn karate, its a community. For the past few months my wife and I have been members of the parent group at the dojo. The parent and senseis group are the ones who help organize all the functions including the bonfire after the beach training, the karate kid movie event, and the upcoming campout for the relay for life. The parents group is our chance to help the senseis and learn more about what's happening at the dojo. Every month we have two meetings, they alternate morning and evening (I'm sure you've seen the Sensei Miko's emails.) All parents are encouraged to attend if they can, even if you are just a fly on the wall, you will learn a great deal, and you may even come up with a solution or two.

  I am encouraged to think that in a few more years we'll be looking at our kids as the future leaders they have become, and I'll be able to say I knew that guy back when he was a kid in my son's karate class. As part of the dojo community we are helping to shape these future leaders.

Thank you,

Jeremiah Harkema