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!

Check out the inspiring instructors!


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

Sunday 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

2025 Presenters

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

AWMAI Founders Series

Shihan Dara Masi - The Martial Arts School as a Business (LD)

Master Wasentha Young - Making Self-Care a Part of Training in Your Classes(LD)

Sensei Jamie Zimron - BLISS Fitness: Balance Lengthen Integrate Stretch Strengthen(EMWO)

Masi, Young, Zimron Co-Teaching - Matching Our Teaching and Schools to This Current Era (MC)

More fantastic instructors and classes

Sensei Patricia Broughton - (co-teaching) What's New Under the Sun in Teaching Empowerment Self-Defense? (LD)

Shihan Darlene DeFour - Come Along With Me! Let's Flow. (MC)

Master MyTien Duong - Just Keep Kicking or Kicking into the Next 25 Years (MWO)

Master Terri Giamartino - Keeping Your Students Motivated (MC)

Master Didi Goodman - Disguised Repetition and Managing Multi-Level Classes (MC)

Senior Grandmaster Sunny Graff - Lead With a Smile, Counter With a Laugh and Follow Up With a (Consentual) Hug (MWO)

Shifu/Sensei Koré Grate - Ba Duan Jing-Eight Pieces of Brocade Qigong (EMWO)

Shihan, Sifu Nancy Lanoue - (co-teaching) Creating more Inclusive Spaces (LD); (co-teaching) What's New Under the Sun in Teaching Empowerment Self-Defense? (LD)

Sifu Wendy Lathrop - Dragon and Tiger Qigong (EMWO)

Grandmaster Lynnette Love - Training to Become an Olympian and World Champion (LD)

Dawn Monet - Supported Stretch (EMWO)

Master Michele Montag - Managing an Instructor Team (LD)

Senior Master Lisa Nakamura - Respecting the Traditions - While Respecting Ourselves (LD)

Instructor Lisa Santi - Strategies for Teaching Multiple Attacker Sparring (MC)

Grandmaster Jaye Spiro - (co-teaching) Creating more Inclusive Spaces (LD)

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

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 has closed. 

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

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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