Dibble principal’s after-school taekwondo program transforms students’ confidence and leadership

On most days of the week, it's the Dibble basketball gym, but on Thursdays at around 4 o’clock, it turns into a full-fledged Taekwondo class.

Neal Johnson started Taekwondo 20 years ago.

“I was a teacher and then became a principal, and the area that I was in was kind of rough, as a principal, and so I thought, you know, maybe I should learn something,” said Neal Johnson, Dibble Elementary School Principal.

Now at Dibble, he had an idea.

“What if I brought that, that I’ve learned, to Dibble, to our kids here?” said Johnson.

With permission from the administration, he started an after-school Taekwondo program.

“Use this as leadership skills, I just love where they go as individuals with it,” said Johnson.

The effects are nothing short of life-changing.

“I wasn’t very confident, and I was very shy, and I was trying not to stand out, but now, after being in Taekwondo for about a year, I am able to stand out more and get more out of my comfort zone”, said Dibble 6th-grade student Kiercee.

As principal, Mr. Johnson has seen positive changes in all the children.

“I looked at some of my students in here and their discipline is gone, their discipline issues are gone”, said Johnson.

“My mind and my confidence,” said Dibble 6th-grade student Jaxon.

“Your number one weapon in Taekwondo is your mind,” said Dibble 5th grader Derik.

“They’re learning and they can have pride in what they do, and they are excelling,” said Johnson.

The effects on the kids are immediate, but there is a future focus.

“I’ve told these kids I will see you through blackbelt,” said Johnson.

Mr. Johnson says the program is growing and getting a lot of attention from other students, so much so, he anticipates starting an additional class next school year.