My name is Brenda Armstrong. I am part of the Richmond College Prep Schools where I have served for the past ten years in the following capacities: Instructional Aide, Gospel Choir Director, G.A.T.E. Program Coordinator, Instructor of Photography, and Disciplinary. Since I have in those areas I have full a working knowledge and engagement with most students at RCP, especially those who demonstrate challenging behaviors.
When the Jiu-Jitsu program began at our school several years ago I was asked to attend every class to monitor behavior. Many of the students selected for the program had behavior challenges, some very extreme. One student in particular exhibited depression almost daily. I’ll call him Student T. He rarely attended school, when he did come, would not participate in or complete academic assignments. For the most part he was totally disconnected or off task and sat in the classroom in a “zombie” state. There were rare occasions when Student T came and engaged in the classroom, exhibited the ability to receive instruction while performing well and on point. However, his involvement with his peers outside the classroom often ended with a heated exchange of negative words and physical encounters. Student T was not malicious at heart, he simply did not know how to control the deep-seated emotions that he experienced to interact positively with others.
This young man was with us from pre-school through sixth grade. It was in fifth grade that he first enrolled in the Jiu-Jitsu program. I would love to say that it was love at first encounter, but it wasn’t. Student T didn’t want to attend but the option of Jiu-Jitsu as a condition to remain at the school. Within a few weeks there was a noticeable change in his attendance, academic performance and interaction with staff and other students. Knowing him for so long, I noticed his eagerness to attend and his total engagement in Jiu-Jitsu class. I asked him what changed his mind about the class. He replied, “I found that I can let out my frustrations, anger and disappointment in this class. Then I am happier the rest of the time. So I look forward to getting it all out here instead of in areas that always get me in trouble”. Student T became a worthy contender in the Jiu-Jitsu discipline. He, who was a failing student, was able to turn it around and graduate from sixth grade. He comes by to visit regularly and is still doing well.
This was not the only case of a positive outcome. There were more than evidence that the Jiu-Jitsu program launched students into positive areas of personal and academic accomplishments. Young women and men experienced new outlook on life because of the confidence experienced in class and from interaction and competition (tournaments) with students from over the Bay Area and more.
I highly recommend this Jiu-Jitsu program with Sensei David. His directives are clear, he has impacted many students and impressed staff with his sincere desire to improve the lives of students through discipline and consistent work ethics. His professionalism balances well with love for what he does and the care he shows for students.
