The Annual Conference:

Teaching the Teacher

Teaching the Teacher 2025

April 4-6, 2025


Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center
Lewis Center, OH

Conference registration is open!

Reserve your hotel room now!


Scholarship Application

We want to support your attendance!


Whether you're new to teaching or a seasoned pro, school owner or part-time assistant, the Teaching the Teacher conference is for you. Our conference presenters are women of high skill and deep experience. Like our membership itself, they represent a wide range of martial arts styles, and hold a common desire to share what they know for the betterment of all.

The Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors invites you to take part in this very special opportunity, to:

  • Network with other women who love and teach martial arts.
  • Learn from successful instructors and school owners with decades of experience.
  • Improve your best practices for sustaining your school and adding value for your students.
  • Share your expertise, and support other women in the martial arts and self-defense communities.
  • Relax and be the student instead of the teacher!
  • Applaud your colleagues receiving Rank Promotion or Recognition, or entering the Hall of Fame.


“It was so fun to get to attend this year. I learned so much and am implementing as we speak. It was great to make more connections and get to know folks more in this intimate environment.
Even if I can’t make it, I am going to make sure to send student teachers every year!"
-Sifu Michele Miller

Location, Location, Location!

The conference is held each year, at varied locations in the U.S.... but normally in a hotel setting with classroom space, workout space, excellent and reasonably priced accommodations, and warm weather!

In 2025 we visit Lewis Center, OH (just North of Columbus) Join us at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center!

April 4-6, 2025
Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center
100 Green Meadows Drive South
Lewis Center, OH

Link here to reserve your room at the group rate

Reserve your room by March 4, 2025 to receive the group rate

Conference Thumbnail Schedule

Thursday April 3

5:00 - 6:30 pm Early Arrivals Welcome Reception

Friday April 4

9:00 am Teacher Introductions and Conference Begins!

Saturday April 5

Classes All Day, Demos, Awards and Banquet

Saturday April 6

Classes All Morning, Conference Ends at Noon


Link here to register for the conference

Early bird rate is available thru January 31, 2025

Teaching the Teacher: Be a Presenter

AnaAWMAI actively seeks dynamic presenters for our annual conference. Share your knowledge, skills, experience and vision with a talented group of colleagues! Past topics have included:
  • Skill building for instructors
  • Creating an instructor training program
  • The challenges and joys of teaching children
  • Inventive warm-ups for all ages
  • Sales and marketing tactics to use (or avoid)
  • Taking your student body from 10 to 100 and beyond
  • The ins and outs of opening a school
  • Applying the principles of motor learning
  • Creating dynamic demonstrations
  • Social dynamics within the classroom
  • Recognizing abilities and differences

Classes may take the form of lecture/discussion, or “moving classroom,” where participants practice while they learn.

Application period for 2025 Teaching the Teacher is open! Link here to the teacher application form.

Curious about past sessions? Download a Sample List by Category or a Complete List.

2024 Presenters

Get inspired by last year's elite group of instructors!

Read instructor bios, class descriptions and more in our newsletter

Shinshii Janet Aalfs - Connecting Martial Arts Systems (MWO)

Grandmaster Laura Armstrong - Masterful Communication (LD)

Shihan Darlene DeFour - Yes, That Was A Microaggression, Now What? (LD)
                                              - They've Fallen! How To Keep Them From Getting Up! (MC)
Master MyTien Duong - Skills Swap (MC)
Soke Nahid Farzinzad - Kyokushin (MWO)
Grandmaster Sunny Graff - Start Off Right with "Move And Smile!" (Opening Session)
                                                  -  Flowing Footwork In Stickfighting (MWO)
Shifu/Sensei Koré Grate - Black Belt Principles For Kids (MC)
                                                - Liangong (EMW)
Instrutora Schelsea Jones - Introduction to Capoeira (MWO)
Shihan Nancy Lanoue - Challenges And Opportunities Before, During And After Major Leadership Changes (LD)
                                           -  (co-teaching) For-Profit Vs Non-Profit School–Building, Sustaining, And The Pros And Cons (LD)
Clara Porter - Creating A Trauma-Competent Classroom (MC)
Dr. Cheryl Rock - A Sensory Journey To Health And Wellness As A Martial Art (LD)
Sensei Jaye Spiro - Filipino Flow Drills And Creations (MWO)
Sensei Nicole Welsh - When YOU Are Having Fun, They Are Having Fun! (LD)
Helen Yee - Chi Gong Where The Mind Goes The Chi Flows (MC)
Master Wasentha Young - Invoking Imagery Into Your Teaching Of Movement (MC)

                                               - (co-teaching) For-Profit Vs Non-Profit School–Building, Sustaining, And The Pros And Cons (LD)

[ MWO: Master Work Out; MC: Moving Classroom; LD: Learning/Discussion]

AWMAI

The Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors is a non-profit organization. ©2020 All rights reserved.
Mail: AWMAI, PO Box 4309, Davis CA 95617
Email: admin@awmai.org
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