KMAI Instructors
Master John Godwin
December 2002 Master of the Month
Master John Godwin, Yuk Dan
Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA
Master
John Godwin brings a great deal of variety and knowledge to the
World Tang Soo Do Association with his 20+ years of experience
as an educator, a successful competitor, and an inspiring martial
artist. He received his rank of Yuk Dan in 2006.
Master Godwin began his Tang Soo Do studies under
Master Ki Yun Yi when he wanted to learn how to defend himself
against multiple opponents. Master Yi is a charter member of the
World Tang Soo Do association, and served as the Technical Advisory
Committee Chairman. A special master/student relationship developed
between the two of them. Master Yi gave him the finest instruction
in leadership and teaching. It was as a result of this relationship
that Master Godwin was introduced to someone very special, Grandmaster
Jae C. Shin. It was at a tournament that Grandmaster Shin first
saw Master Yi’s student and soon after asked Master Godwin
to work at Shin Karate. That was in 1984. “It was quite
an honor to be asked to serve as the instructor at headquarters.”
While working at Headquarters, Master Godwin
was encouraged by Grandmaster Shin to study other martial arts
to broaden his understanding. He became involved in Hapkido, where
he is also a master instructor under Grandmaster Ji Han Jae. He
also practiced kickboxing under the instruction of Master Steven
Chambliss.
All of these experiences combined to make him
an incredible competitor in the realm of martial arts. He was
inducted into the Tae Kwon Do Hall of Fame as the 1990 Forms Competitor
of the Year. He became a World Champion in fighting, forms, weapons,
and demo team competitions at the World Tang Soo Do Championships
in 1986, 1988, and 1990. In 1999 he won 2 gold and 1 silver medal
at the Hapkido World Championships in Korea. He now dedicates
his time to training future leaders with his instructor training
and leadership program.
While he does train all types of people for police,
state, local, federal, ATF, FBI and military service, this is
not his main focus. He enjoys developing commercial karate schools
for teaching others about martial arts. He has 1,500 active students
at the Korean Martial Arts Institute, including his 2 children:
John, an 11 year-old E Dan, and Ali, a 7 year-old red belt.
Master
Godwin used his first master’s thesis to pass on many of
the teaching ideas he developed over the years. His thesis was
entitled, “1001 Teaching Ideas for Karate.” To develop
the basis for writing lesson plans, he had to keep it fun and
interesting. By learning the type of organization required to
publish documents, he learned how to structure information in
a way he could communicate it well to others. He was good at speaking,
but not at writing, so this thesis was a big challenge for him.
“My physical test was a breeze, my thesis was painful.”
His second thesis was a submission for the Tang
Soo Do business manual. He combined resource material with other
information for a studio owner’s business manual. He is
currently working on finalizing an instructor manual to submitted
as a contribution to the Association to help studios with resource
materials he spent 10 years researching.
As you can imagine, throughout his illustrious
career, Master Godwin has had some incredible role models. “Grandmaster
Shin has been my mentor since I’ve been his personal student
back in 1983. I am very honored and privileged to receive special
instruction from him. Master Yi was my primary physical teacher.
I am fortunate to be able to take his philosophy and combine it
with the instruction/leadership training I receive from Grandmaster
Shin. Ji Han Jae (founder of Sin Moo Hapkido) is my mentor in
Hapkido. He has generously shared his skills with me. Besides
these great men, there are also many friends I count on for counsel
and advice in making decisions. Unfortunately I don’t have
many family members remaining. So now I look to entrepreneurs
and successful business people. They are my role models and I
respect them for that.”
As
a professional Tang Soo Do instructor for past 22 years, Master
Godwin continues to train, “very simply out of loyalty.
I appreciate Grandmaster Shin. He saw my potential and provided
the opportunity for me to develop that potential. I enjoy being
part of his team. My favorite part of Tang Soo Do is the camaraderie
and fraternity with everybody. The World Tang Soo Do Association
is in some ways the only family I have, which is why I dedicate
all my time and effort towards it.
Because of his extensive dedication to studying
the teaching of martial arts, Master Godwin shares these as some
of his favorite teaching methods: “I use 2 basic teaching
methods in class for basics, matching and mirroring. Matching
is when an instructor faces the same direction as the students
face with his back to them and leads them through the form or
exercise. This works better for adults, especially on more complicated
forms. Mirroring works best with small children. The instructor
faces the children and does the opposite of what they do so they
don’t have to reverse it. My favorite skill to teach is
rolling and then adding kicks.”
“Tang Soo Do has given me so many great
memories, such as winning the 1987 regional grand champion for
our first regional championship. Another was receiving my master’s
belt at the regional championship. Plus there is the privilege
of traveling with Grandmaster Shin to China, Africa, England,
and all over US teaching seminars.”
“Tang Soo Do is a personal power system
that anyone can use to bring out their higher self. I believe
there are four selves:
- Person others see we put on display
- How we see ourselves.
- Our real self - a combination of 1 & 2
- Our higher self whom we are yet to become
I encourage everyone to share Tang Soo Do with
as many people as they can. Knowing our martial art does a lot
of good in the world. The work we do with Tang Soo Do makes a
big difference.”
Master Rob Kloss, Hockessin
Dojang
Master Kloss started his martial arts career
in 1984 in Philadelphia at the original World Tang Soo Do headquarters.
He left Philly in 1990 to come work for his original teacher,
Master Godwin. He was promoted to 4th degree master in July of
2002 by Grandmaster Shin at the WTSDA World Championship Tournament
in Orlando, Florida. Since opening the Hockessin studio in 1990,
the center has promoted more than 250 internationally certified
black belts.
Master Kloss also holds a 5th degree instructor
rank in Sin Moo Hapkido under Founding Grandmaster Ji, Han Jae
as well as a 2nd degree Kukkiwon Tae Kwon Do black belt. In the
early to mid 1990’s, he was a very successful tournament
competitor, medaling in local, national and international competitions.
In 2000 he was awarded the "Program Director of the Year"
award by EFC, an international martial arts business association,
and in 2002 was recognized with the "Inspired Instructor"
award. He is also the first martial artist in Delaware to have
been certified by the Cooper Institute in its martial arts specialist
course and has articles published by two of the leading trade
publications.
A dedicated father of two, he’s committed
to making the martial arts a "family-friendly" affair
without losing the core values and benefits.
Master Ismael Roman
Master Roman started his martial arts training
in 1978 at the tender age of 6 and half years. His first instructor
was Master Steven Chambliss. Master Roman was a tournament star,
winning nearly 300 trophies and medals in local, regional and
international competition.
He was promoted to 4th degree master in the WTSDA by Grandmaster
Shin in July of 2002 in Orlando, Florida. Master Roman also holds
a 4th degree instructor rank in Sin Moo Hapkido under founding
grandmaster Ji, Han Jae. He also has exrtensive experience in
full-contact kickboxing and attained a red patch in the French
martial art of Savate. In 2004, Master Godwin recognized Master
Roman with an award for 25 years of leadership.
An excellent technician,
inspiring teacher, and dedicated family man, Master Roman has
helped literally hundreds of students of all ages reach and surpass
their goals.
Mr. Mohamad Mabrouk
Rank:
3rd Degree Tang Soo Do,
3rd Degree Sin Moo
Hapkido.
KMAI Location: KMAI Stanton
Training with KMAI since: 1992
Favorite Quote:
Champions are not made in the ring, they are just
recognized there. - Mohammad Ali.
Favorite Weapon: Sword
Awards:
1. 5 Time regional grand champion.
2. 2005 Unofficial European Grand Champion.
3. 2005 United States Hapkido Team Honor Award.
Mr. Mabrouk is an outstanding teacher and motivator as well as
a prolific tournament champion. Mr. Mabrouk has the unique ability
to inspire both children and adults to become the best that they
can be through the many benefits of martial arts. Mr. Mabrouk
is very instrumental in developing the skills and leadership abilities
of both his students as well as KMAI's professional staff.
Mr. Dylan Alpaugh
Rank:
1st Degree Tang Soo Do,
1st Degree Hapkido.
KMAI Location: KMAI Stanton
Training with KMAI since: 2003
Favorite Quote: If your goal is the sky, reach for the stars.
Favorite Weapon: Nunchaku
Awards:
1. 2006 Eastern Region 8 Grand Champion.
2. Gold Medal 2007 Region 8 Championships.
3. Member of the 2007 Region 8 Champion Creative Demo Team.
Mr. Alpaugh is a graduate of our Leadership program and now helps
other realize their goals as a professional martial arts instructor.
Mr. Alpaugh says that his favorite thing about the Martial arts
is the positive impact he has on others; and watching as a student
surpasses his expectations.
Mr. Geoffrey Dorrell
Black Belts:
3rd Degree Tang Soo Do,
3rd Degree Sin Moo Hapkido.
KMAI Location: KMAI Penn-Del
Training with KMAI since: 1994
Favorite Quote: Leaders are more powerful role models when they learn than
when they teach. – Roseabeth Moss Kantor.
Favorite Weapon: Sword
Awards:
1. Capitan of the Godwin-Shin Creative Demo Team.
2. First Place Wins @ 2004 & 2006 World Championships.
Mr. Dorrell is the chief instructor of
our Penn-Del location. As a graduate of our Leadership Program
he has been a leader and role model since 1994.
Mr. Dorrell excels in the art of Sin Moo Hapkido, as well as
the Katana sword, but he says that his favorite things about the
martial arts are the etiquette, traditions, and the honor of sharing
his knowledge and skill with future Blackbelt Leaders.
Ms. Annaliza Mills
Rank:
3rd Degree Tang Soo Do,
3rd Degree Tae Kwon Do.
KMAI Location: KMAI Penn-Del
Training with KMAI since: 2003
Favorite Quote: If your actions inspire others
to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a
leader. - John Quincy Adams.
Favorite Weapon: Nunchaku
Awards:
Ranked 3rd in the world for the American Tae Kwon Do Association
in 1998.
Ms. Mills has been training in martial
arts since 1995. She began her training in Tae Kwon Do where she
quickly excelled on the tournament circuit.
Ms. Mills excels at both the Nunchaku and the Escrima sticks
but says that her favorite things about the martial arts are the
workouts, discipline, traditions, and the culture behind it all.
Mr. Jason Church
Rank (all styles):
3rdDegree Tang Soo Do,
2ndDegree Sin Moo Hapkido.
KMAI Location: Hamilton/ Godwin’s Shin Karate
Training with KMAI since: 1994
Favorite Quote: Leadership and learning are indispensable
to each other. - John F. Kennedy
Favorite Weapon: Staff
Awards:
Outstanding SWAT Member of the Year 3 years in a row.
Mr. Church's many teaching strengths include
his ability to communicate and make an impression on young children.
Mr. Church says that his favorite thing about the martial arts
is “Teaching children, and watching how they improve over
time and accomplish great things.”
Mr. Joe Kaluzny
Rank:
4th Dan Tang Soo Do,
1st Dan Tae Kwon Do,
3rd Dan Sin Moo Hapkido.
KMAI Location: Middletown
Training with KMAI since: 1989
Favorite Quote: The final test of a leader is
that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the
will to carry on. - Walter Lippman.
Favorite Weapon: Sword
Awards:
Gold Medal Region 8 Championships.
Mr. Kaluzny is a 4th Degree Blackbelt
and a Master’s candidate with the World Tang Soo Do Association.
Mr. Kaluzny has been making leaders for almost twenty years. One
of Mr. Kaluzny’s many strengths is his ability to push his
adult students to the next level and see them accomplish great
things.
Mr. Kaluzny says that his favorite thing about the martial
arts is the camaraderie that students develop over the years of
training together.
Ms. Laura Myers
Black Belts:
3rd Degree Tang Soo Do,
3rdDegree Sin Moo Hapkido.
KMAI Location: KMAI Middletown
Training with KMAI since: 1992
Favorite Quote: Leaders aren't born they are
made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard
work. And that's the price we'll have to pay to achieve that goal,
or any goal. - Vince Lombardi.
Favorite Weapon: Sword
Awards:
1. 2007 Eastern Region 8 Grand Champion.
2. 2005 United States Hapkido Team Award of Honor.
3. Team Member of the world champion creative demo team.
Ms. Myers teaches martial arts at our Middletown
location, where she excels in her work with children. Ms. Myers
is a child development specialist that has been teaching professional
martial arts for over five years.
Ms. Myers says that her favorite thing about martial arts is seeing
the positive change that it brings to peoples lives. Ms. Myers
also enjoys working with challenged students; she has seen great
success with treating conditions such as ADD and ADHD.
Mr. Patrick Preece
Black Belts:
2nd Degree Tang Soo Do,
2nd Degree Sin Moo Hapkido,
1st Degree Tae Kwon Do.
KMAI Location: KMAI Dover
Training with KMAI since: 2000
Favorite Quote: The task of leadership is not
to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness
is already there. - John Buchan.
Favorite Weapon: Staff
Awards:
1. 2002 Competitor of the Year.
2. 2005 United States Hapkido Team Award of Honor.
3. 2005 European Championships.
4. Gold medals in 2004 & 2006 World Championships.
Mr. Preece is a graduate KMAI Newark’s
leadership team; he has gone on to become the chief instructor
of our Dover location.
Mr. Preece's teaching strengths include both youth and parent's classes. He says his favorite part about the martial arts is teaching leadership skills to a new generation as well as encouraging families to train together to reach their full potential.
Mr. Charles Tokarcik
Black Belts:
2nd Degree Tang Soo Do,
1st Degree Sin Moo Hapkido.
KMAI Location: Hamilton/ Godwin’s Shin Karate
Training with KMAI since: 2001
Favorite Quote:
Never say can't. Have a yes-I-can attitude.
Favorite Weapon: Staff
Top 3 Awards:
1. Men’s Senior Division Region 8 Grand Champion.
2. 5 Medals in 2 World Championships.
3. 3 Gold Medals in weapons and forms.
Mr. Tokarcik (aka Mr. Tokarcik ) started
training with his family in 2001. Mr. Tokarcik is a true example
of what it means to “play full out”.
Mr. Tokarcik is an avid tournament competitor
and full time volunteer at Godwin’s Shin Karate. In addition
to his personal studies Mr. Tokarcik likes to pay it forward by
helping as many as he can experience the benefits of martial arts.
Mr. Tyler Brown
Black Belts:
3rd Degree Tang Soo Do,
1rd Degree Sin Moo Hapkido.
KMAI Location: KMAI Middletown
Training with KMAI since: 1997
Favorite Quote:
Freely you have received, Freely give – Matthew 10:8
Favorite Weapon: Staff
Awards:
1. Student of the Year.
2. Outstanding SWAT Member of the Year.
Mr. Brown has been one of the Korean
Martial Arts Institute’s most gifted students for over a
decade, now as a recent graduate of our leadership team, Mr. Brown
has taken on the new challenge of giving back by teaching the
next generation of black belt leaders.
Mr. Timothy Watson
Rank:
2nd Degree Tang Soo Do,
1st Degree Sin Moo Hapkido.
KMAI Location: Kennett Square
Training with KMAI since: 2001
Favorite Quote:Setting an example is not the
main means of influencing others, it is the only means. - Albert
Einstein.
Favorite Weapon: Staff
Awards:
1. 2003 Student of the year.
2. Member of 2004 and 2006 World Champion Creative Demonstration
Team.
3. Multiple Gold Medals at the State, Regional, and World Championship
level.
Mr. Watson is an outstanding teacher and
competitor specializing in training adults. Mr. Watson says that
his favorite thing about the martial arts is the camaraderie shared
with your fellow martial artist, as well as learning new and innovative
ways to influence and motivate his students to succeed.
Master Erwin Watters
Black Belts:
4th Degree Tang Soo Do,
3rd Degree Sin Moo Hapkido.
KMAI Location: KMAI Hockessin
Training with KMAI since: 1988
Favorite Weapon: Sword
Awards:
Member of the Region #8 Hall of Fame for Instructor of the Year.
As a child development specialist, Master Watters has
been shaping the minds of future generations for twenty years.
Master Watters has been training in advanced leadership skills
since the inception of Korean Martial Arts Institute's first SWAT
Leadership team, where he was a founding member. As an Instructor
and motivator Master Watters has had a direct influence in the
lives of all the students and staff at the Korean Martial Arts
Institute.
