Here at Frederick's ATA Black Belt Academy, we endeavor to provide the finest taekwondo education available in a compassionate and nurturing environment; to produce outstanding citizens through our Life Skills curriculum; and to inspire and empower our students to achieve personal excellence in every aspect of their lives.
Life Skills
The Life Skills Curriculum is central to the function of an American Taekwondo Association (ATA) school. In many ways, we use taekwondo as a method (or an excuse) to teach Life Skills. Historically, martial artists have always held themselves to a high standard of behavior because of their potentially dangerous skills. The ATA continues and advances this tradition by formalizing the values learned. For colored belts (those who haven't yet attained their black belts), the Life Skills include:- confidence
- discipline
- integrity
- goal-setting
- focus
- self esteem
- respect
- attitude
- persistence
Each of these virtues is used as a monthly theme for classes, around which the lesson plan is built with the intent of teaching and reinforcing the value of the monthly theme.
In advanced programs like the Black Belt Club and Masters Club, Life Skills expand to include values such as
- responsibility
- loyalty
- courage
- service
- motivation
- communication
- vision