Instructors
Master Dennis Karsten
I have been training in Taekwondo since 1993. I earned my first black belt in 1996, and am currently a 5th Dan black belt. As we age, it’s very important to keep our bodies moving and our minds active. Taekwondo offers me the opportunity to do both. As an instructor, I really enjoy teaching all of our forms, but especially the Wonshim self-defense forms. Wonshim offers highly effective, real world self-defense techniques that help improve a student’s technical skills and self-confidence. On a personal note, I retired from Lockheed Martin in 2008 after 34 years as a Materials and Processes Engineer working on the Titan IV and Atlas V launch vehicles and a variety of spacecraft programs.
Master Mary Everson
I began training in Taekwondo in 1997. I received my first black belt in 2000, and I am now a 5th Dan black belt from the World Federation/Kukkiwon and United States Korean Martial Arts Federation. One of the things that most draws me to Taekwondo is the excellent workout it provides. As an instructor, I enjoy challenging each student to achieve their very best, focus on strength, flexibility and just having fun. Our school offers a unique opportunity for families to spend time together while learning a martial art. It’s great to see families grow together by spending time together. Outside of the Dojang, I enjoy hiking, golfing, my standard poodles and spending time with my grandkids.
Master Mike Bagnall
I began my training in Taekwondo in 1995 and am currently a 5th Dan black belt master. Every student attending my classes knows that I truly believe that practicing martial arts is more fun than humans should be allowed. I am very interested in the art of Hapkido and am trying to incorporate it into our curriculum in a practical and fun way. When I'm not in the Dojang, I spend my time running, swimming, and playing my guitar.
Master Bob Mines
I hold a 5th Dan in Taekwondo from the World Federation/Kukkiwon and United States Korean Martial Arts Federation, a 3rd Dan in Taekwondo from the Mu Duk Kwan Association, a 1st dan in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu from the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation. I studied Tai Chi Chuan, Yang style for 5 years, have been a white belt in Aikido, Brazilian Jujitsu and have attend numerous workshops in various arts over the last 30 plus years.
I am interested in the psychology of performance, student's growth as a person and martial artist, self-defense, and energy flows between and within people. I have studied and taught a variety of meditation styles, Qigong techniques, indigenous healing systems such as pranic healing, plus professionally have taught relaxation, resilience, stress management, cognitive/behavioral techniques, and other topics relevant to developing as a martial artist and as a person.
As a fellow student and instructor, I am grateful for the opportunity for all of us at Family Taekwondo Center to be able to learn and develop together.
Instructor Dave Mathewson
My name is Dave Mathewson. I began my Taekwondo journey in 2018 and received my black belt in 2021. Studying Taekwondo fulfills a life-long dream. I have wanted to do a martial arts since I was 8 years old, so I am proof that it is never too late to begin! I love all aspects of Taekwondo, but especially sparring, self-defense applications, and kicking pads and bags! When I teach class it usually involves plenty of warm-up and stretching, practicing foundational movements, working on forms, and kicking things. I have found that Taekwondo is as much a work-out for the mind as it is the body. It has taught me discipline and focus, confidence and patience. One thing I love about Taekwondo is that you never arrive – there is always something more to learn. When I am not practicing Taekwondo I work as a seminary professor. I love to teach, research, and write. I also spend time in the gym lifting weights, but most of all I love anything outdoors – on weekends you can find me camping, hiking, or flyfishing.
Instructor Bill Moraja
I began my martial arts journey by bringing my son to classes at FTKD. After a few months of sitting with my work and waiting for his class to be over, I discovered that taekwondo was a lot of fun and great exercise. I decided that I needed more of both in my life and started training in 2013. My son and I thoroughly enjoyed our time at the dojang together. He earned his black belt and eventually turned his attention to team sports, but I continued and earned my 3rd degree black belt in 2023. I have competed at the US Open Hanmadang and won gold medals in individual and team traditional forms, creative forms, and weapons forms.
I enjoy the mental and physical challenges of taekwondo as well as the immersive flow state of a good workout. Patience, persistence, and focus are improved and rewarded by training in taekwondo because there are always new things to learn, skills to practice, and forms to improve. Outside of the dojang I love spending time with my family.