I. School Owners Senior Master Tom Jakubczak, 6th Dan & Co-Owner Senior Master Jakubczak is our high ranking black belt at Hartland Tae Kwon Do. He has diligently and continuously studied in the martial arts for the last 39 years. He was born and raised in some of the toughest streets of Detroit, and he quickly learned that to survive you had to have a strong mind and body. For the first twenty years of his training, he worked under several highly disciplined and no-nonsense teachings of Korean Masters directly from Seoul, South Korea. They believed, as we do at Hartland Tae Kwon Do, that many things are needed to make a well rounded student and life-long practitioner in the martial arts. It is not necessarily the best fighter or the student with the best kicks, but the one who discovers themselves, while discovering others, who will be the one to seek the prize. Ultimately that goal and prize will be a black belt under the direction and guidance of our many talented and facetted black belt staff. Senior Master Jakubczak brings his enthusiasm and heart to the art and sport of tae kwon do. In addition to working hard and leading others, his wife and three daughters work with him daily during class. Senior Master Jakubczak actively encourages each individual to try a class at Hartland Tae Kwon Do, and hopes that each participant may find something in the martial arts that mesh with their individual desires, as he has throughout the years.
Ms. Erin Copland, 3rd Dan & Co-Owner Ms. Erin Copland began in her training in Wayne, Michigan at KICKS Tae Kwon Do in 1992, and has trained in the martial arts since she was six years of age. Luckily, her parents decided to place her in tae kwon do in order to promote discipline and confidence. Now at the age of 21, she looks back at her years of training, and attributes a large part of her successes as a young adult to her past martial arts experiences. Under the past instruction of renowned martial artist, Grandmaster Ronald Rose, she has used her martial arts both fundamentally and competitively during her youth and young adult years. Currently, Ms. Copland is a student at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and is double majoring in political science and psychology. In the future, she hopes to practice family law. In addition to her studies and efforts at Hartland Tae Kwon Do, she works part-time as a receptionist at a local golf course. As co-owner and Program Director of the school, Ms. Copland seeks to provide the finest education for people of all ages and backgrounds, as well as learn more about the martial arts through continued practice and teaching. She considers herself to be tremendously lucky to have been blessed with such great students, fellow black belts and talented instructors.
II. Hartland Tae Kwon Do’s Black Belt Team The following individuals, in addition to training and working hard, assist in making Hartland Tae Kwon Do one of the best programs in Michigan! We are proud to have them on our team! Master Mike Gagne, 4th Dan
Mr. Gary Kieltyka, 3rd Dan, Program Coordinator Mr. Gary Kieltyka began his martial arts training by studying
Japanese Shotokon Karate. Mr. Kieltyka has experience in two different
styles of Tae Kwon Do, including Han Moo Kwan and Chung Go Kwan. He
believes that it is not the competitions won or lost or the belts earned
that makes the martial arts a desirable pursuit for people, but the
enduring friendships formed over the years by helping each other attain
their goals. In addition to training, Mr. Kieltyka also enjoys photography, and
volunteers his time and resources to take photographs for Hartland
Matt Schick, 2nd Dan Mr. Matt Schick began his practice of Tae Kwon Do at Ferris State University. In 1996, Matt earned his black belt. Currently, he works for the Compuware Corporation, and has four children, three of which have trained at Hartland Tae Kwon Do. His oldest Child, marta, earned her black belt rank this past year. The Schick's are an excellent example of how Tae Kwon Do can become a family activity! In addition to training with his family, Mr. Schick instructs on a regular basis.
Mr. Greg Spangler, 2nd Dan Mr. Greg Spangler brings amazing things to Hartland Tae Kwon Do. He originally began training in a local Aikido club in 1982. In 1992, he started his practice of Tae Kwon Do at Rockford Academy, and eventually earned his black belt after three years of hard work and a great deal of determination. In the following years, Mr. Spangler practiced different styles of martial arts, including Isshin Ryu, Yue Chia Kung Fu and Tang Soo Do. Mr. Spangler currently works as project engineer, with a Masters of Engineering degree. He has three children, one of which enjoys training at Hartland Tae Kwon Do with his father. Mr. Spangler brings his fresh perspectives to every class setting, and instructs on a regular basis.
Mark Kelland, 1st Dan & Assistant Instructor for White & Yellow Belt Class Mark Kelland is 49 years old, and began studying tae kwon do at the age of 46. He has been married to his wife Donna for over 20 years, and they have two sons, Samuel and John. Mr. Kelland is a psychology professor at Lansing Community College. Professionally, Mark has become very interested in Eastern philosophy and multicultural perspectives on personality development. Mark also possesses an interest in Eastern philosophy and has a background in boxing and wrestling. Finally, he served in the United States Marine Corps for nine years. These personal interests and experiences have served to keep Mark’s interest in the martial arts alive. Mr. Kelland is an assisting instructor to the white and yellow belt classes, and has also spent some time working with the Little Dragon Class.
Samuel Kelland, 1st Poom Samuel Wheeler Kelland is 14 years of age. Samuel is straight “A” student at Hartland’s Ore Creek Middle School. He has a brother named John, and his pets include an albino milk snake named Twiga (Swahili for giraffe) and the family’s labradoodle named Sunny. Samuel has long enjoyed his music. He plays the tuba in his school’s symphonic band, and plays the bass guitar for jazz band and jazz ensemble. He has been an active member of Hartland Tae Kwon Do and has earned gold medals in both form and sparring at various tournaments.
Devon Perrine, 1st Poom & Assistant Little Dragons Instructor Extended bio to come soon!
Marta Schick, 1st Poom Marta Schick is currently 11 years of age, and began training in Tae Kwon Do when she was eight years old. Marta has three brothers, two of which have enjoyed Tae Kwon Do in the past. Today, Marta actively trains with her father, Matt Schick. Marta enjoys sparring and forms competition, and has been quite successful in the past. When Marta is not in Tae Kwon Do, she enjoys drawing pictures and reading books. Her favorite television shows include, “I Love Lucy” and “Laverne and Shirley.”
Michael Turner, 1st Poom & Assistant Little Dragons Instructor Extended bio to come soon!
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