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Choong-Sil Kwan Taekwondo Staff

John Salama | Jennifer Salama | Kenneth Ireland | Dayne Turner |
Bo Chung | Omar Hays | Naquira Cox | Stephanie Jackson

John Salama: Owner & Chief Instructor of Atlanta Choong-Sil Kwan Taekwondo, has been training in the Choong-Sil Kwan Taekwondo Federation since 1987 currently holding the rank of 5^th degree Black Belt.     

In 1988, as a green belt, Mr. Salama began as an apprentice instructor under Jose Tortolero (2^nd degree Black Belt) of Taekwondo West in Nashville, TN. Mr. Salama received his 1st degree Black belt in 1991 under Mr. Tortolero. He then moved to Clarksville, TN to train and teach under Mr. Song Brown (5th degree Black Belt) where he received his 2nd degree Black Belt in 1994. He received his 3rd degree Black Belt on February 1, 2003 under the guidance and teachings of Grand Master Robert Hardin and Mr. Jack Stevens. On January 24, 2006, Mr. Salama received his 4^th degree Black Belt under the guidance and teachings of Grand Master Robert Hardin(9^th degree Black Belt) and Mr. Jack Stevens(6^th degree Black Belt). On January 9th, 2010, Mr. Salama received his 5th^th degree Black Belt under the guidance and teachings of Grand Master Robert Hardin(9^th degree Black Belt) and Mr. Jack Stevens(6^th degree Black Belt). In 2005, Mr. Salama Received the Chief Referee of the year award from Grand Master Hardin & the Choong-Sil Taekwondo Federation.

In 1992, Mr. Salama became the Owner & Chief Instructor of Salama’s Taekwondo in Erin, TN where currently Mr. Tony Lewis is the owner. In 1993 he opened Woodlawn Taekwondo in Woodlawn, TN, as well as various clubs in the area. Mr. Salama has worked with children who have ADD, ADHD, Downs Syndrome, and Tourette’s Syndrome. He has also worked with the blind and children who are autistic.              

Mr. Salama also holds other ranks in Kickboxing and Hap Ki Do. Mr. Salama has trained under various instructors, namely, Grand Master Bob Hardin, President and Founder of CTF, Master Brad Whitlow the Inventor of ISOMAX, and Mr. Jack Stevens. From all the instructors Mr. Salama trained with, he gathered a unique experience to train his students both physically and mentally. Mr. Salama belongs to the following organizations: CTF (Choong-Sil Kwan Taekwondo), USFT (United States Taekwondo Federation), GTF (Global Taekwondo Federation).

Ken Ireland: Instructor. Mr. Ireland is a 5^th degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. He began his training in August of 1995 with Mr. Mike Mast. In September of 1997 Mr. Ireland earned his 1^st degree black belt. Mr. Ireland began assisting with teaching classes in 1998 and by April of 2000, he earned his Red Collar Certificate. In October of 2000, he took over the Taekwondo program at Williamson County Recreational Center in Nashville, TN. He ran that program for two years. As of April of 2003, Mr. Ireland has been a 3^rd degree black belt. One month later, Mr. Ireland was transferred to Lawrenceville, GA, where he began training with and teaching for Mr. Salama.

Jennifer Salama: School Manager, Certified Instructor in Taekwondo, and Chief Instructor of the Cardiokickboxing program. Mrs. Salama is currently a 3^rd degree Black Belt. She received this rank on April 1, 2008 under the guidance of Mr. John Salama. Mrs. Salama received her rank of Certified Instructor on September 7, 2006. She received her 2^nd degree black belt on January 24, 2006 under the guidance of Mr. John Salama (4^th degree) and Mr. Jack Stevens (6^th degree). She received her 1^st degree black belt in May 24, 2004 under the guidance of Mr. John Salama (4^th degree) and Mr. Jack Stevens (6^th degree). She began Taekwondo when she was 5 months pregnant with her son, Joseph, in May of 2001. She tested for her 1^st degree Black Belt recommended when she was 2 months pregnant with her daughter, Marina. She was appointed the Apprentice Instructor on March 19, 2003. Jennifer has a Master’s Degree in Psychology and has a great deal of experience with children who have minor to severe behavior problems. Jennifer has developed an age appropriate curriculum for all classes in order to bring out the best in all students. She also brings great organizational and managerial qualities to the school.

Dayne Turner: Mr. Turner is currently a 2^nd degree Black Belt. He received this rank on April 1, 2008. Mr. Turner began training in Taekwondo at the age of 8. Throughout his training with International Taekwondo Centers, Mr. Turner participated in tournaments as well as a demonstration team. In 2004, Mr. Turner joined Atlanta Choong-Sil Kwan Taekwondo where he became a very valuable member of the school. He began teaching classes, as an Apprentice Instructor, in 2005 and became a certified Assistant Instructor on February 2, 2007. Mr. Turner is also very active in tournaments. In 2006, Mr. Turner won the National Championship Jacket.

Bo Chung: Mr. Chung is currently a 4^th degree Black Belt, which he received on April 1, 2008. Mr. Chung began his training in 1995 in Pensacola, Florida. In 1997, he received his 1^st degree Black Belt. In 1998, Mr. Chung became an active member of his school’s demonstration and STORM teams. He received his 3^rd degree Black Belt in 2001 and then moved to Texas and became an apprentice instructor at a school. Mr. Chung loves teaching and has been teaching for Atlanta Choong-Sil Kwan Taekwondo for the past 2 years.

Omar Hayes - Coming Soon

Stephanie Jackson - Coming Soon

Naquira Cox - Coming Soon