Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Karate and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students. Here are a few of American Tiger Karate Academy's instructors and other staff members:

PICTURE	INSTRUCTOR INFO
	Sensei Pat Pusateri Sensei Pat Pusateri; 3rd Dan Black Belt-Shotokan Karate, Chief Instructor ATKA since '95. Began Karate in Chicago '78, teaching since '88. Lic.RN since '83, CERT: U of IL Child/Adol Mental Health '07., CPR, AED, ACLS, First Aid & Martial Art Instruction. SenseiPatPusateri@verizon.net
	Sensei John Bieszk Sensei John Bieszk; 6th Dan Black Belt - Aikikai Aikido with over 35 years of martial arts experience. He is a senior instructor of the Aikido Association of America and a science professor with a PhD in physics, with expertise in computer technology. SenseiJohnBieszk1@verizon.net
	Sensei Pedro Vianna Sensei Pedro Vianna-3rd Dan Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. BA Degree. Certified in Jiu-Jitsu & Judo Instruction, CPR & First Aid. Teaching Experience in Chicago, DePaul University & Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. SenseiPedroVianna@verizon.net
	Sensei Gary Koelbel Sensei Gary Koelbel; 3rd Dan Black Belt - Shotokan Karate SIU B.S. in Admin. of Justice. H.S. Dist 214 Cont. Ed. Instructor, training in Karate since 1985. Instructor of Karate, Kickboxing & Budo Tai Jitsu since 1992. SKCC member and Tournament Judge. SenseiGaryKoelbel@verizon.net
	Senpai Amy Blackwell Senpai Amy Blackwell; 1st Dan Black Belt - Shotokan Karate Training in martial arts since 1998, teaching since 2001. Nat'l Champion Team Coach '08,'09. Certifications include: CPR, AED, ASEP, First Aid, Occup. Therapy Aid & Martial Arts Instructor & ROTC. SenpaiAmyKaminski@verizon.net
	Senpai Shirley Yde Senpai Shirley Yde; 1st Dan Black Belt - Shotokan Karate, training since 1995 and teaching since 1999. CERTIFICATION: CPR, First Aid, & Martial Art Instruction SenpaiShirleyYde@verizon.net
	Senpai Wil Putzbach Senpai Wil Putzbach; 1st Dan Black Belt-Shotokan Karate has been training since 1996. Eagle Scout and Honor student Attending Benedictine University majoring in pharmacology. CERT: CPR & First Aid. Add'l interests are music, art, woodwork and poetry. SenpaiWilPutzbach@veizon.net
	Senpai John Lawrence Senpai John Lawrence is assistant instructor to Sensei Pedro Vianna. He has been working with Sensei Pedro since 2007 teaching the Brazilian JiuJitsu classes. He has a BA degree in sociology from Ohio State Univ. SenpaiJohnLawrence@verizon.net
	Senpai Jacqui Hastings Senpai Jacqui Hastings; 3rd Kyu - Shotokan Karate, training since January, 2001 and assistant teaching since 2005. Completed ATKA Instructor certification program 2005. CPR & First Aid Certified. SenpaiJacquiHastings@verizon.net
	Senpai Derek Oswald Senpai Derek Oswald; Ni Kyu Brown Belt - Shotokan Karate Training since 1999. Assistant Instructor since 2006, Elk Grove H.S. Graduate & Member of the National Honors Society; Certified in AED & CPR. Derek is currently attending UIC. SenpaiDerekOswald@verizon.net
	Millie Weir Mrs. Millie Weir; Hatha Yoga Instructor, has been practicing yoga since childhood, with over 37 years experience and is a certified yoga and fitness instructor. Certifications: AFAA( Aerobics & Fitness Association of America )CPR & First Aid MillieWeir@verizon.net