TEACHER SPOTLIGHT 

MARCH 2003

Congratulations To The Parker Academy of Martial Arts Instructors

Congratulations goes out to the Instructors at the Parker Academy of Martial Arts for being chosen as the Teachers to be spotlighted for March 2003. Mr. Rob Roy McKinney ,Black Belt Instructor.Holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and a 1st Degree Black Belt in American Freestyle. "Certified Instructor by the ACMA- American Council of Martial Arts" Mr. McKinney has been involved in martial arts all his life. He has had extensive training in close-area self-defense and is an expert marksman with a rifle and a bow.He also has background training in Judo, Boxing and Kempo. Mr. McKinney was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and went to college at Oregon State University graduating with a B.S. in Education. He has lived in Colorado since 1986 and has worked with Mr. Longmore since 1989. He is a single father of three and spends most of his free time with his children, Jessica, Rachael and Robby, who are all PAMA Black Belt Club members.

Mrs. Linda Wickes, 2-2nd Degree Black Belts, School Director and Certified Instructor. "Certified Instructor by the ACMA- American Council of Martial Arts Parker resident for 17 years. Linda began her training 8 years ago, and just loves instructing. She logged hundreds of hours of instructing to get her Certification, and likes nothing better. She worked extensively with the "Little Ninja" aged kids, and got amazing results with those little ones. Linda's patient, calm manner is a soothing respite for a harried & hassled day. Linda's 16 year old daughter is a 2nd degree black belt, and her husband is a 1st degree Black Belt. "It's fun having a whole family of Black Belts," says Linda. Linda and Fred got to know each other while instructing together, and traveling to National and World Championship Tournaments. They realized that they each held unique capabilities that would compliment the others, and so decided to embark on this exciting adventure!

Mr. Fred Longmore , 2nd Degree Black Belt Taekwondo and 1st Degree Black Belt ATA. Head Instructor. Parker resident for 17 years. Fred began his martial arts training growing up in inner-city Denver, and feeling the need as a young man to learn some self-defense techniques. He studied Kempo and Taekwondo to the College level where he competed with the Metropolitan State College Taekwondo team under Mr. Seriff. He then got re-involved 7 years ago, and progressed to Black Belt quickly where he competed in many tournaments. He won 1st place trophies in the '96, '97, and '98 ATA World Championship Tournaments, as well as winning Local, Regional & National ATA tournaments with first places in both forms & sparring. Fred also has an extensive background working with children, including four of his own. He has been involved in youth ministry for the last 15 years. He has also taught Sunday School from Kindergarten to Senior High. His expertise in this area stems from his having four of his own children, his love of kids, and his desire to "be a kid himself". You will love his exuberant, uplifting teaching style, there's never a dull moment in Fred's class.

Mr. Kraig Monteferrante, 2nd Degree Black Belt Head Instructor EKraig split his youth between Cleveland and Denver, eventually moving with his family to Parker in 1994. Kraig's entire family is involved at the studio, both of his sons are members of the Black Belt Club and will be testing for their Black Belts soon. Along with his Taekwondo skill, he brings with him a background in boxing and a great knowledge of wrestling due to his successful career in that sport. Kraig has been involved in athletics his whole life, both competing and coaching. In addition to Taekwondo, he currently plays competitive ice hockey and coaches many of his son's athletic teams. Kraig loves being an instructor at PAMA and says “I have held seminars for people at work, taught reading and math at school, coached soccer, baseball, basketball, roller-hockey and ice hockey but nowhere can I say I honestly believe the information I am passing on is more valuable then in the Taekwondo studio”.