New Staff Member

The American Martial Arts Institute is proud to announce that Grandmaster Crandall awarded Miss Kyleigh Hoyle with Staff member status, presenting her with a black top at the Utica Zoo Martial Arts Demonstration on August 29, 2016. Congratulations to Miss Hoyle and her instructor.

In the American Martial Arts Institute, it takes years of training and dedication to earn the rank of black belt. For each student the challenges along the path are different. In the end, black belts in American Eagle Style have achieved a high standard of mental maturity and knowledge and an incredible range of physical skills. This rank would not have been possible without the guidance of instructors who have the ability to pass on the style.

The traditional martial arts embody the philosophical concept of the circle. Students one day teach what they have learned to another generation, giving back what was once given to them. The ability to demonstrate the physical skills of a style does not mean that a black belt can teach those skills to another. For each student the challenges along the path are different. An instructor must take into consideration your level of self-confidence, body structure, age, and a multitude of other factors. They must be able to adapt their language, body posture, and instructional techniques to articulate a concept without changing the essence of that concept. Therefore, instructors in the American Martial Arts Institute are required to undergo an apprenticeship during which they are taught how to teach the style. Also, instructors must annually be recertified to teach.

The future of a style depends on new generations of students completing the circle and joining the instructor status. This growth produces a new individual with the traditional foundation of the style under the direction of the Grandmaster.

Students who are black belts but below the age of 18 may apply to be part of the Junior Rank Black Belt Class Assistant (Red Top) Program. These students learn how to run stretching, answer the phones, hold shields, serve as partners, and other skills that instructors will also learn, but they do not teach. When a student turns 18 they may no longer serve as a Red Top, but may request to be a staff member. Staff members who have previously served as "Red Tops" sometimes require less time to achieve proficiency in their fundamental instructional skills due to their prior experience.

Once an instructor, all instructors maintain their training, keep in constant contact with the Grandmaster, and continue to improve their instructional skills. They must be re-certified to teach, annually.

The future of a style depends on new generations of students completing the circle and joining the instructor status. This growth produces a new individual with the traditional foundation of the style under the direction of the Grandmaster.

Students who are black belts but below the age of 18 may apply to be part of the Junior Rank Black Belt Class Assistant (Red Top) Program. These students learn how to run stretching, answer the phones, hold shields, serve as partners, and other skills that instructors will also learn, but they do not teach. When a student turns 18 they may no longer serve as a Red Top, but may request to be a staff member. Staff members who have previously served as "Red Tops" sometimes require less time to achieve proficiency in their fundamental instructional skills due to their prior experience. Once an instructor, all instructors maintain their training, keep in constant contact with the Grandmaster, and continue to improve their instructional skills. They must be re-certified to teach, annually.

In order to become a certified instructor, an American Eagle Style student must first be accepted as a staff member and undergo a period of apprenticeship-style training. This individual must request to become a staff member in writing from Grandmaster Crandall, and after months of observation and consideration they may be accepted. If accepted, new staff members wear a black uniform jacket and no longer train in regular classes.

If you are an adult black belt interested in learning more about becoming a staff member, and possibly one day instructor, speak with your instructor or Grandmaster Crandall for more information.