Makowski's Martial Arts Academy - Songahm Taekwondo for self defense, fitness, and self esteem

Meet the Staff

Each instructor pursues an intensive course of training. Physical taekwondo skills must be mastered, and the techniques required to teach this material must be developed and refined. Every “instructor trainee” spends 2-3 years practicing educational strategies for all age groups. During that training time, the student must meet stringent training and instruction requirements. As each stage is accomplished, the collar of their uniform (symbolizing the yoke of responsibility they bear as instructors) changes from Red, to Red-Black, and to Black-Red-Black.

The instructor trainee must complete 300 hours of "student-teaching" under the supervision of a senior instructor. Certification in CPR and Youth Protection is required of every instructor trainee. Final training and certification must be earned at an ATA Instructor Training Camp; an intensive experience in which the instructor trainee attends workouts and training events 12 hours/day for several days. The trainees practice, refine and demonstrate techniques under the personal supervision of Songahm Taekwondo Masters. Only after passing a practical teaching examination and demonstrating instructional competence in all of the Songahm Taekwondo material is “Certified Instructor” ranking awarded. The Certified Instructor is designated by a "black collar", and has earned the title "Sah-Bum-Nim" (Instructor).

Recertification requirements must be met every three years through a program of continued advanced training in instructional methods, business operations, specialized martial arts skills and abilities, and demonstration of abilities at an ATA Instructor Training Camp (an intensive experience in which the instructor attends workouts and training events 12 hours/day for several days, culminating in demonstration of abilities in a formal testing. Only after passing a practical teaching examination and demonstrating instructional competence in all of the Songahm Taekwondo material is “Certified Instructor” ranking re-issued.

Chief Instructor

Mr. R.J. Makowski, ATA Certified Instructor, 5th Degree Black Belt (Songahm Taekwondo), National Judge, 3rd Degree Black Belt (Traditional Taekwondo) is the Chief Instructor and School Co-owner. Mr. Makowski has 15 years of martial arts experience, and has extensive teaching experience with students from age 3 to age 70. He has been ranked several years running in the “Top Ten” of ATA Black Belt competitors. He has won multiple Pennsylvania State Championships in both forms and sparring and he has won the U.S. Open Men’s Heavyweight Sparring Championship (competition among several styles of martial arts including Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Karate, and Kung Fu). Mr. Makowski is a gifted instructor, and takes a special interest in each and every student. He is well-respected in the ATA organization and the martial arts community and can list many high ranking Masters with whom he has trained.

Head Instructor/Business Manager

Mr. Robert A. Makowski, ATA Certified Instructor, 4th Degree Black Belt (Songahm Taekwondo), Regional Judge, School Co-owner, also holds rank in Karate and Jiu-Jitsu. He has been involved in the martial arts for nearly 30 years. Mr. Makowski is well-liked by students and is an avid tournament competitor who is currently ranked among the top ten ATA 2nd & 3rd degree competitors in the men’s senior division. He won the bronze medal (third place) at the 2006 World Championships competition and is the current Pennsylvania State Forms Champion. Mr. Makowski continually works to bring new and creative elements to the school’s training methods and is gifted in making new students feel at ease in a very different environment than they are accustomed. Among his teaching goals is to strive to make every class exciting, challenging, and fun. He truly believes that “Everyone is a winner and everyone is special”.

Program Director

Mrs. Kathy Makowski has been involved with ATA for 15 years as a mother, student, program director, and co-owner. Mrs. Makowski believes strongly in the programs that are offered and understands that they are only made better by quality instructors and school operations. She is currently ranked as a red belt and has set her personal goal to achieve black belt in the next year.

Instructor - Leslie Walker