Fort Dale Academy students had the opportunity to learn an altogether different type of lesson Wednesday morning as karate instructor Jimmy Falbo returned to the school to impart lessons of physical, mental and spiritual well being.

The martial artist is a fifth-degree black belt and serves as head instructor of Falbo’s Family Karate, located in Gulf Breeze, Fla.

Falbo’s courses teach self-defense, but also focus on how to improve students’ relationships with teachers and classmates.

The ultimate goal is for children to walk away from training with a lifetime’s worth of skills, including goal setting, increased confidence, better focus and discipline.

Fort Dale Academy Headmaster David Brantley said that he was thankful for the opportunity to work with Falbo again.

“I had the opportunity to see him work with kids before—actually, my grandson is in his karate classes, and he is such an exceptional person with young people,” Brantley said.

“He worked with our K-9^th grade students, and he just has a great message for kids, and there’s never been a time where young people need positive messages and positive role models than the time we live in right now, in my opinion.”

One of Falbo’s chief lessons of the day required students to understand that not only must they respect others, but they must also respect themselves.

This meant teaching students that it is never okay to put one’s hands on someone else, but at the same, that means not allowing others to place their hands on them.

Self-defense lessons manifested in board-breaking activities that various members of the Fort Dale community took part in, including parents, students and teachers.

“The kids enjoy the karate aspect,” Brantley said.

“Many of them got to break boards, and several of our teachers were able to break boards, and the kids really respond well to that.

“It’s just a fun experience for them, and it’s a little break in the routine.  And we hope it serves as a motivation for them to, as we talked about, be better people and learn how to treat others with respect.”

Brantley added that Falbo’s anti-bullying message was perhaps the most meaningful of all, and said that the day’s lesson resonated with Fort Dale’s aim to deliver a well-rounded learning experience.

“It gave the kids the opportunity to experience something that they don’t normally get to experience,” Brantley added.

“And it does motivate them.  He’s just a great guy, and I’ve known him for several years and I would recommend him to any group of young people.”