We love this place…read more
My daughter has been attending classes for a few years now, and my son is expected to start this spring.
Susan (Ma'am) is fantastic & runs a great studio with strong, fair, & competent instructors:
-if your child or you are new, try out some classes, for a few WEEKS.
-Shy child? Join the class with your child, or another child will help yours out (this translates even outside the studio, ie when siblings from class helped my daughter adjust to chess class at the library--great character building instructors!).
-Special needs children? They're welcome too and no one bats an eye, the way it should be.
-Classes M-Sa. (MWF 4:30, TTH 5:30, Sa I don't know, but this is great if you've missed a class due to illness, other activities, long weekends, etc.)
-Multiple kids? I would have to confirm, but I think that after the 3rd one, others are gratis.
-There's a parking lot & if you don't or can't cook, Lucy's Kitchen is 2 doors down to pick up dinner.
-Having a bad day? Ma'am will check on you and give you some helpful words, including reminding you how good your kids were in class while you were running after the crazy one.
-Charity: collections for Homefront & Breast Cancer, annual run on Father's Day, more that I can't remember.
-Self defense classes offered to women and older girls a few times a year, for free
-GREAT instructors: they are fair & they understand children & their abilities, but also push them with positive reinforcement. If my child is acting up, they focus on the children who are acting like black belts and commend those students. If you, as a parent, don't think your child should get a reward, the instructors know and respond accordingly.
-If you have little kids not yet in class and the back mats are free, you can entertain your crazy one.
-The star system: for good behaviour, paying attention, and acting like a black belt, there are paper stars: 10 paper stars=1 blue star to attach to your uniform or card if you're a Tiny Tiger. 10 books or following a star chart at home? 1 gold star. Attending TKD events? Red stars. Positive reinforcement.
-Whole families are involved--Mom, Dad, sisters, brothers. They train together & go to tournaments together. If you're not that type, that's okay too. You're free to stare at your iPhone or Macbook or novel during class, but you also don't need to be there--it's monitored and the instructors know who is or isn't there at all times--your kids will NOT be lost or allowed to wander off. I'm not sure how they do it, but they do (hence, I'm not a teacher).
My kids are still little, and *I* am not quite ready for them to train in weapons. I keep adding the number of stars my daughter needs before we make that leap. She is learning discipline & friendship. She tries, but she's still little & used up her focus at school. For me, that's frustrating, but I've also seen her grow these past few years. The environment is safe, sane, fun. The kids and instructors are great. I myself am learning more patience simply by watching the class. I know my kids will eventually become black belts--they may become more serious, or not, but do they need it? Yes. Particularly my daughter, but it will be good for my son too. Thanks Ma'am!