In my time of being a teacher in the martial arts I have come to understand more and more the roles we need to take on in this position. Many see the primary function of a martial arts teacher to teach a system of art and as this is surely a large part of this, we have to come to understand that as we stand before our students, we become so much more to them. Sensei a simple word mostly presented to students as meaning teacher, for sure the primary leader, yet its true translation ("teacher" "born first" "one who has gone before") A Sensei is a person who has knowledge and is willing to teach that knowledge to another. The job of a true martial arts teacher is Teach, to overall make better more productive members of society. Philosophy, Structure, self-defense and discipline all while earning and instilling respect not to gain followers and be worshiped. We become so many things to those who choose to study under us that we have an obligation far beyond ourselves just as a parent raises a child we must be all things to our students.