Master Instructor or Master Student
Being a student in BJJ and attending seminars has its advantages. Instructors can lose touch with what it feels like to be a student after a few years of teaching devoting all their time standing in front of the class, and not in the class. Time is needed for Instructors to do the class rather than take the class (I hope that makes sense) so they can see through the eyes of the student. It was only the other day, Richard Sargeant, brought up the conversation that being a BJJ student, would put me in a better position to teach BJJ than other people at my level. What better way to understand students than being a student yourself? As a student I have the chance to analyse what is being taught and decide the best way to teach it (this includes the Jiu Jitsu in our Karate).
Nobody knows it too well, other than Instructors, how mentally exhausting it is to have the responsibility of teaching; you have to think for everybody in the classroom. I have been asked to expand on my schools and classes but I like to set aside time for just being a student. If money is invested in a full time gym then that has to be recouperated it may mean the Instructors's training and progress may be compromised in order to pay the bills. I've heard the saying, 'Full time Instructors become slaves to their schools' but not everyone, who has a full time school, falls victim but it has happened to some.
When a student becomes a Black Belt they should renew their vows as a student, however, the difference being, a Black Belt should be able to help others attain their Black Belt.
Personally, I don't like being referred to as a Master because 'I haven't climbed Mt Everest yet'. It also has a negative tone to it, by people who misrepresent themselves with belts and titles. But on second thoughts, I don't mind 'Master Student'.
GA