Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Karate and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students. Here are a few of American Tiger Karate Academy's instructors and other staff members:

PICTURE	INSTRUCTOR INFO
	Sensei Pat Pusateri Sensei Pat Pusateri; 4th Dan Black Belt-Shotokan Karate, ATKA Dojo -Cho since '95. Began Karate in Chicago '78, teaching since '88. Lic.RN since '83, Certifications: CPR, AED, ACLS, First Aid, & Martial Art Instruction, Mental Health & Wellness Counselor SenseiPatPusateri@verizon.net
	Sensei Gary Koelbel Sensei Gary Koelbel; 3rd Dan Black Belt - Shotokan Karate SIU B.S. in Admin. of Justice. H.S. Dist 214 Cont. Ed. Instructor, training in Karate since 1985. Instructor of Karate, Kickboxing & Budo Tai Jitsu since 1992. SKCC member and Tournament Judge. SenseiGaryKoelbel@verizon.net
	Senpai Amy Blackwell Senpai Amy Blackwell; 1st Dan Black Belt - Shotokan Karate Began 1998, Asst Instructor 2001- present. Nat'l Champion Team Coach '08,'09, '10. Certifications: Early Chidhood Education, Occup. Therapy Aid & Martial Arts Instructor, ASEP, CPR, AED, First Aid SenpaiAmyKaminski@verizon.net
	Senpai Robby Uehara Senpai Robby Uehara; 2nd Dan Black Belt. Began Shotokan Karate 2003. AAU Nat'l Qualifier 2007 -2010, AAU National Bronze Medalist 2008 & 2009 CPR, AED & First Aid Certified. Member Nat'l Honor Society. Jr Leader 2006 - 2010 Asst. Instructor 2011- present. SenpaiRobbyUehara@verizon.net
	Senpai Shirley Yde Senpai Shirley Yde; 1st Dan Black Belt - Shotokan Karate, training since 1995 and teaching since 1999. CERTIFICATION: CPR, First Aid, & Martial Art Instruction SenpaiShirleyYde@verizon.net
	Senpai Jason Palmer Senpai Jason Palmer; 1st Dan Black Belt, 2010 AAU National Champion, Gold Medal in Kumite & Kata. Began training in Shotokan karate 2002, Jr leader 2005-2009. Asst Instructor 2009- present. CPR, AED, Frist Aid Certified. Harper College 2010 -present. SenpaiJasonPalmer @verizon.net
	Senpai Chris Szewczyk Senpai Chris Szewczyk; 1st Dan Black Belt - Shotokan Karate Began 2003. Kobudo (weapons) practitioner. ITKA Tournament Silver Medalist. Jr. Leader 2009 - 2011. Asst. Instructor 2011- present. Attending Roosevelt University. CPR, AED & First Aid Certified. SenpaiChrisSzewczyk@verizon.net
	Senpai Amy Carroll Senpai Amy Carroll; 1st Dan Black Belt Shotokan Karate, began 2003. AAU Nat'l Champion 2009 Black Belt Team Synchronized Kata. Jr Leader 2009 - 2011. Asst Instructor 2011 - present. CPR, AED & First Aid Certified. EGHS Honor Student. SenpaiAmyCarroll@verizon.net
	Sensei John Bieszk Sensei John Bieszk; 6th Dan Black Belt - Aikikai Aikido with over 35 years of martial arts experience. He is a senior instructor of the Aikido Association of America and a science professor with a PhD in physics, with expertise in computer technology. SenseiJohnBieszk1@verizon.net
	Sensei Joshua Weiser Ni Dan Black Belt - Aikido Instructor from the Aikido Assoc. of America. CPR and First Aid Certified. Sensei Weiser has been training in Traditional Martial Arts since 1982 and teaching since 2004. JoshuaWeiser@verizon.net
	Sensei Pedro Vianna Sensei Pedro Vianna-3rd Dan Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. BA Degree. Certified in Jiu-Jitsu & Judo Instruction, CPR & First Aid. Teaching Experience in Chicago, DePaul University & Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. SenseiPedroVianna@verizon.net
	Millie Weir Mrs. Millie Weir; Hatha Yoga Instructor, has been practicing yoga since childhood, with over 37 years experience and is a certified yoga and fitness instructor. Certifications: AFAA( Aerobics & Fitness Association of America )CPR & First Aid MillieWeir@verizon.net