Lessons Learned

Everything I Ever Needed to Know About Teaching I Learned from Parkour.

That's right, in just three days under the tutelage of Travis Graves of the American Parkour Certification Program, I came away with an understanding about not just parkour instruction, but teaching in general that is more valuable than both my degrees in education.

You see, parkour has changed my life. As Mark, founder of APK, told me, "Parkour will revolutionize the world, and how we view health, fun, the environment, and architecture." I'd like to add education to that mix.

Here's some of the pedagogy I gained, that if implemented in our educational system would increase motivation, achievement, and overall well being of our students.

1.  "When you walk, don't talk, and when you talk, don't walk."  Give the student time to take in one important lesson at a time and let them focus on you. Don't demonstrate and explain at the same time.
 
2.  Make one correction at a time.  An essay riddled with red pen will only frustrate and confuse. Correct the student on one aspect that needs improvement until they perform as desired. Then move on to further lessons.

3.  Have fun.  Don't take yourself too seriously as an instructor, at least not 100% of the time. Crack jokes, be creative, and keep 'em surprised.

4.  Learning should be playful/non-competitive.  Praise success, encourage improvement, never focus on the negative. Allow more capable students to aid the rest, and applaud the one who struggles the most, despite accomplishing the least.

5.  Allow for progression.  Begin at the basics.  Always drill the basics until they are reflex. Then give students a skill or task to aim for, but also give them a series of steps that will help them to get there. Encourage attempts at the different levels, until the student feels like they are challenging themselves within their capabilities. Adapt the lesson to match the students.


The parkour community is amazing. It is a movement based on mental and physical vitality that is infectious in its positivity. I know that parkour is a specific physical discipline, but to me, it is more than just that, and if applied to other aspects of life, will make the world an even better place. By applying these ideas into my teaching practice, my English and yearbook classes are better than before.

Play hard,
Keith