CONNIE KRAMBERG, a teacher in the Kelso School District, demonstrates a self-defense move with Mike Sonners, a student at Mountain View Martial Arts. Kramberg is also a current student at the facility. Photo courtesy of 4Ever Photography.
JULIE CROSKEY, a teacher in the La Center School District, puts a hold on Mike Sonners, another student at Mountain View Martial Arts. Croskey is also a current student at the martial arts facility. Photo courtesy of 4Ever Photography.
MIKE SONNERS (right) practices a move with Master David Mason, owner and head instructor of Mountain View Martial Arts in Battle Ground. Starting Feb. 16, Mason and his staff will lead free self-defense classes for teachers and any other school staff from any area schools. Photo courtesy of 4Ever Photography.
Starting Feb. 16, Mountain View Martial Arts & Fitness in Battle Ground will begin offering free self-defense classes to area school teachers, faculty and staff. The classes will be offered the third Saturday of each month at 9 a.m., at Mountain View Martial Arts, 807 E. Main St., Battle Ground.
The only requirement to be able to attend the free classes is that participants must show their proof of employment at any school in the surrounding area.
“We want to make this as simple and as inclusive as possible,” said Celenea Mitchell, a Battle Ground resident who took it upon herself to get the free self-defense classes going.
Mitchell, who is a mother, said that after what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT, she was filled with “such unbearable sadness and fear” and said she was “irate” that something like that was still able to happen. She said she was thinking of homeschooling her children when she realized she wanted to somehow help all children be safe. Mitchell said she volunteers at her children’s school twice a week, and she helps out other mothers and fathers with babysitting.
“I love them, I love all the staff,” she said. “Truly, I had to do something, not just for my little family, but for all of us.”
So, Mitchell decided to make up some fliers and passed them out at surrounding schools, taking a poll of how many staff members and teachers would be interested if free self-defense classes were offered somewhere. She said she called around and talked to the PTA president of her children’s’ school, the staff at the Battle Ground School District office, the Battle Ground Community Education staff and numerous martial arts instructors.
“I finally found one (a martial arts instructor), David Mason, probably the best one for the job, willing to put out his hand and help the community in a very meaningful way,” Mitchell said. “Before that day, I was starting to feel defeated, it seemed no one was willing to help with the actual teaching of the self defense. I wanted to cry tears of joy and I was elated when he said he would do this.”
Master David Mason, head instructor and owner of Mountain View Martial Arts, will run the self-defense classes for teachers and school staff each month.
“I am very honored and extremely happy to be able to help our school teachers in any way I can,” Mason said.
Mitchell said the self-defense classes will be basically the same each month and school staff can attend as many times as they want, honing the skills they learn or just once, with the idea to practice what they have learned at home. She also said Mason has tailored the class specifically for school staff. Mitchell said they will continue to offer the class for as long as there is a demand for it.
Teachers and/or school staff who wish to participate in the classes can just drop in if they want to, but Mitchell said a phone call or email would be appreciated in order to get an idea of how many people will be attending. Those wishing to participate can contact Mitchell at (360) 566-7068 or by email at 4celenea.mitchell@gmail.com, or they can call Mountain View Martial Arts at (360) 601-7713.
“I know this is not the whole answer to all of the school violence, but I look at it as possible damage control and a gift of empowerment to those who want it,” Mitchell said. “I hope the word spreads and other communities do this. But in the mean time, we are accepting anyone from anywhere who works in a school. I feel it’s the least I can do. They should be treasured and afforded this opportunity, if they so choose.”
