Master Susan McFarland - 6^th Degree Black Belt

Owner of McFarland's Martial Arts Academies

I began training in the American Taekwondo Association in October 1989.  I am currently a 6th degree black belt and a Certified Instructor.  What I like most about the ATA is the excellent quality of instruction in a broad spectrum of areas.  The ATA is very traditional in that they set high standards and value respect.  Life skills such as integrity, self-control, and courtesy are foundational to our programs.  My main focus in Taekwondo is helping students, Instructors and parents realize their dreams.  My favorite color belt rank is Green, because, at this rank, the students begin to see their growth and the greatness of their future possibilities.  My favorite weapon is the Oh Sung Do (or Broadsword).  I enjoy this new addition to Protech because it requires strength and graceful execution to achieve proper technique.

Michael McFarland - 5^th Degree Black Belt

Owner of McFarland's Martial Arts Academies

Chief Instructor - Gilbert Academy 

I began training in the American Taekwondo Association in October 1989. I am currently a 5th degree black belt and a Certified Instructor. What I like most about the American Taekwondo Association is the student oath, otherwise known as the Songahm Spirit of Taekwondo. Living up to the ideals of the Songahm Spirit is a daily challenge, and a challenge that I gladly accept. My specialty in Taekwondo is helping others to overcome their fears and achieve their dreams. My most memorable color belt rank is green belt because I thought I knew everything. Of course, when I achieved my First Degree Black Belt, I realized that I actually knew nothing. Learning truly begins at First Degree Black Belt. My favorite weapons are confidence and knowledge. Confidence and knowledge are better than any weapon in a self-defense situation.

Carolyn Hedden - 5^th Degree Black Belt

Chief Instructor – Mesa Academy  

I began training in the American Taekwondo Association in May 1998. I am currently a 4th degree black belt and a Certified Instructor. What I like most about the ATA is that our greatest leaders and Masters are so humble and respectful. The Masters swear an oath to sacrifice themselves daily for the betterment of Taekwondo and to dedicate their lives to guiding the students in their physical and mental development. My focus is on instruction and curriculum development. My most memorable color belt experience was as a Brown belt. I failed to break my boards in testing resulting in a no change. This motivated me to work harder and made me realize how much I value Taekwondo. I knew then that I wanted to become an instructor. My favorite weapons (other than my hands & feet) are the Bahng Mahng Ee and the Jahng Bong. I like the Bahng Mahng Ee because of the fun and challenging partner drills, and the Jahng Bong because of the powerful, beautiful form.

Jesse McFarland - 3^rd Degree Black Belt 

Level 3 - Certified Instructor

I began training in the American Taekwondo Association in October 1989.  I am currently a 3rd degree black belt and a Certified Instructor.  What I like most about the ATA is that it is a very large and active organization.  I have made many close and life-long friends.  My main focus in Taekwondo is helping students reach their full potential and giving them the tools for practical self-defense.  My favorite color belt rank is Blue, because, like the form, the students begin to feel their power and strength.  My favorite weapon is the Gum Do (or Katana).  This weapon represents tradition and art to me.

Melinda Konicke - 3^rd Degree Black Belt 

Level 3 - Certified Instructor

I began training in the American Taekwondo Association in July 2003. I am currently a 3rd Degree Black Belt and a Certified Instructor. I feel that the ATA shapes the lives of all kinds of people in many different ways. It is an organization that strives to enhance every aspect of a persons’ life. One of my specialties in Taekwondo is making sure that the students have a positive learning experience. I try to show others that anyone can do Taekwondo even if they can’t execute all the moves perfectly. As long as you give 100% all the time and have fun doing it, you will be an awesome martial artist. My most memorable color belt rank was Purple belt. In-Wha was the most difficult form for me to learn, but I didn’t give up. I learned that when something challenges you to try harder, you appreciate it more. I enjoy watching Ms. Quezada perform the Double Ssahng Jeol Bong form. I don’t really have a favorite weapon, but my favorite part about any weapon is developing new techniques. Finding interesting ways to use the weapons is fun and can help to create a strong freestyle presentation in case of a tie in competition.  

Saad Elaqad  - 4^th Degree Black Belt 

Level 3 - Certified Instructor

I began training in the American Taekwondo Association in May of 1998 the day after my birthday. I am currently a 4th degree black belt and a Certified Instructor. The thing I like most about the ATA is its inspiration. From seeing high ranks over seventy able to kick sharply above their heads to learning about new students and their motivations for pursuing Taekwondo. Back when I was ignorant, I thought taekwondo was only good for self-defense, but I was definitely wrong. People join this organization for plenty of reasons: self-defense, exercise, friendship, self-confidence, life skills, family bonding, and the list goes on. My specialty in the martial arts is self-defense. With experience in Wrestling, Judo, and Taekwondo, I’ve sharpened my knowledge of self-defense from any attack. I bring fun and incorporate my self-defense training in every class I teach. My most memorable colored belt experience was as a green belt, sparring my untouchable instructor for the first time. He awarded me with a stripe on my belt for being able to get one punch on him. Although I like all the weapons, my favorite is probably the Jahng Bong (bow staff). Discovering the amount of power I could transfer into the weapon causing it to bend greatly, really helped me make my decision.

lanca Jennifer Quezada (Jenny) - 4^th Degree Black Belt 

Level 3 - Certified Instructor

I began training in the American Taekwondo Association in March of 1999. I am currently a 3rd Degree Black Belt and a Level 2 – Trainer. What I like most about the ATA is participating in tournaments. I like tournaments because I get to meet new people and sharpen my Taekwondo skills. I also like judging at tournaments because it allows me to give back to the ATA by volunteering my time. My focus in Taekwondo is precision and quality of technique. I try to be precise in everything I do including forms, weapons, sparring, and teaching. Red belt was my favorite color belt rank because I competed for the first time as a red belt. Even though I was really nervous it was a good learning experience. Going to tournaments has taught me to persevere. I enjoy practicing all weapons, but the weapon I have performed the most in competition is the double Ssahng Jeol Bong. I like training with them because they improve my coordination and speed.

Sam Angus - 3^rd Degree Black Belt

Level 3 - Certified Instructor

I began training in the American Taekwondo Association in March of 2004.  I am currently a 2^nd Degree Black Belt and a Level 2 – Trainer.  My favorite thing about the ATA is the multitude of classes from weapons all the way to leadership training.  My focus in Taekwondo is learning to become the best instructor I can be.  My most memorable color belt experience was as a brown belt.  During my midterm, I realized that I didn’t remember any lower forms.  This made me change from learning just so that I could advance in rank to learning so that I wouldn’t forget.  My favorite weapon is the Jahng Bong because it is one of the most combative and practical weapons.