Instructor Spotlight - Mr. Patrick O'Rear
Mr. Patrick O’Rear, Level 2 Instructor
My 10 Year Journey to Level 2 Instructor
My Taekwondo training began ten years ago in 2009 when I was just 8 years old.
Having started at a school in Fort Worth and obtaining an orange belt, I moved to Grapevine and started with the Spicar’s in the summer of 2011. This began my trek to being a Black Belt and eventually an instructor.
Mr. O’Rear receiving Level 2 Instructor uniform. October 22, 2019.
Being a 3rd Degree Black Belt and Level 2 Instructor, it may be hard to believe I was once a white belt ten years ago, but that’s exactly where everyone starts in Taekwondo. Even Mr. Spicar, Mrs. Spicar, and Mr. Berndt started out as white belt students many years ago. Today, I will detail my journey from white belt to Level 2 Instructor and how I found my passion for Taekwondo and teaching Taekwondo.
My training started in Fort Worth at the Lone Star Black Belt Academy, but really kicked up a notch when I moved to Spicar’s as an orange belt in 2011. I went to my first tournament that November in Houston and got a bronze medal in forms and sparring. It was so exciting to be able to show off my Taekwondo in such a competitive nature for the first time! That was when I really became invested in Taekwondo, practicing every week and having so much fun.
In 2012, I decided to join the Spicar’s Demo Team, where we performed Taekwondo in a show like manner. We invented our own forms and weapon forms and performed them to music. This began my journey for doing more than just purely practicing Taekwondo. It helped build my confidence by performing in front of huge crowds, setting the stage for me becoming an instructor. We competed nationally amongst other teams in Florida and won 4th place for our performance. Demo Team inspired me to pursue more from my Taekwondo training, meaning that I wanted to be a leader as well as excel in my sport. And that’s exactly what I did in my teen years.
Next, I started on my path to becoming an instructor. I helped with summer camps and learned how to be a leader, using my voice and becoming confident in front of a group I was responsible for. Slowly, I became comfortable in this leadership setting and incorporated the Taekwondo part by helping with classes after camps. Seeing my newfound love for leadership and teaching Taekwondo, I resolved to become an instructor. After hours of practicing and memorizing forms, I achieved this and became a Level 1 Instructor in March of 2017.
After this, I continued to help with classes and with summer camps, although it was hard to find time to come in. That was mostly due to school, but I really found my groove this past summer, having set up a schedule where I could come in and teach every week. This culminated in me earning my Level 2 Instructor, as I continued to improve and become a better leader. I earned that thick red stripe on my collar this past September, and the awesome experience of obtaining it is one I won’t soon forget!
Teaching my students life skills as well as Taekwondo is so rewarding, and I’m glad to have gone on this journey to Level 2 Instructor.
If you would like more information about our Martial Arts Program don’t hesitate to call us or text at 469-444-0246.
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