| (c) 2007 All rights reserved. |
| Instructor Profiles |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| West Coast Taekwondo employs the best instructors. Our instructors have unmatched experience, skills, talent, and personality. All of the West Coast Taekwondo instructors have been certified by Taekwondo America, and we also host one of the best instructor training programs. Here is some background about our fabulous instructors: |
Mr. Seth Gentry - 2nd Degree Sr. Black Belt
Hi, my name is Seth Michael John Gentry. I was born in January
1992 in Santa Ana and currently reside in Orange. I am currently
sixteen years old, a second degree senior black belt, and have
been doing taekwondo for seven years. I started at the age of
nine, and joined the Instructor Trainee Program three years ago
with the goals of imparting skill to other students and to better
myself. I am honestly grateful for this opportunity to be
participating in this Martial Art. I have met many great people,
some of which have become my closest friends, and enjoy
working with children and adults alike.
Hi, my name is Seth Michael John Gentry. I was born in January
1992 in Santa Ana and currently reside in Orange. I am currently
sixteen years old, a second degree senior black belt, and have
been doing taekwondo for seven years. I started at the age of
nine, and joined the Instructor Trainee Program three years ago
with the goals of imparting skill to other students and to better
myself. I am honestly grateful for this opportunity to be
participating in this Martial Art. I have met many great people,
some of which have become my closest friends, and enjoy
working with children and adults alike.
Mr. Adam Gentry - 4th Degree Black Belt
Originally, I began studying TaeKwonDo as a way to stay fit because my
mother thought I was getting pudgy. I’d tried doing other types of athletic
activity, but hadn’t found anything that I could excel in. I quickly found
myself hooked by TKD and decided that I wanted to get my black belt. After
reaching that goal, I joined the Instructor trainee program, which I was a
part of for 5 years. I became a Senior Certified Instructor in 2003, received
my 3rd Degree black belt in 2004, and, most recently, received the rank of
4th Degree black belt in 2007. I am also active on the tournament circuit. In
addition to my teaching responsibilities at West Coast TaeKwonDo, I also
teach at Vanguard University of Southern California and am responsible for
coordinating the University’s TKD program. In addition to TaeKwonDo, my
interests include literature, the consumption of music and the movies.
Originally, I began studying TaeKwonDo as a way to stay fit because my
mother thought I was getting pudgy. I’d tried doing other types of athletic
activity, but hadn’t found anything that I could excel in. I quickly found
myself hooked by TKD and decided that I wanted to get my black belt. After
reaching that goal, I joined the Instructor trainee program, which I was a
part of for 5 years. I became a Senior Certified Instructor in 2003, received
my 3rd Degree black belt in 2004, and, most recently, received the rank of
4th Degree black belt in 2007. I am also active on the tournament circuit. In
addition to my teaching responsibilities at West Coast TaeKwonDo, I also
teach at Vanguard University of Southern California and am responsible for
coordinating the University’s TKD program. In addition to TaeKwonDo, my
interests include literature, the consumption of music and the movies.
Mr. Don Jones - 3rd Degree Black Belt
Hey, my name is Don Jones. I’m an instructor at West Cost Tae Kwon Do,
and I have been doing Tae Kwon Do for about eight years or so. I'll tell you
that story in a bit, but first I want to talk about when I came to West Cost
Tae Kwon Do. I was a small kid at the time and was very shy. I didn’t like to
go out much. But with my mom pushing me on and my brother going too, I
thought “it can’t be all bad.” But just to be sure, I wanted to check it out
first. I can remember vividly the first two things I saw and thought. I saw
Mr. Gentry showing someone how to make a fist And I remember looking
up at the wall and thinking “I won’t even make it to green senior belt.” But I
loved the class so much I wanted to go back.
And then it was like a blur; I just wanted to keep coming and my mom was
always happy to take me. I felt like I blinked and I was testing for my black
belt two years later. And then I blinked again and it was two years later
again, and I was asking Mrs. Williams to become a teacher. What happened
to the boy who, when asked a question, his brother answered for him?
Where did HE go? He grew up, he got stronger, he got a lot more outgoing
(that’s for sure.) And before I knew it, it was testing day.
And that’s it. I passed that testing and was able to teach TKD with everyone
for the next four years, and will hopefully be teaching for many more years
to come.
Hey, my name is Don Jones. I’m an instructor at West Cost Tae Kwon Do,
and I have been doing Tae Kwon Do for about eight years or so. I'll tell you
that story in a bit, but first I want to talk about when I came to West Cost
Tae Kwon Do. I was a small kid at the time and was very shy. I didn’t like to
go out much. But with my mom pushing me on and my brother going too, I
thought “it can’t be all bad.” But just to be sure, I wanted to check it out
first. I can remember vividly the first two things I saw and thought. I saw
Mr. Gentry showing someone how to make a fist And I remember looking
up at the wall and thinking “I won’t even make it to green senior belt.” But I
loved the class so much I wanted to go back.
And then it was like a blur; I just wanted to keep coming and my mom was
always happy to take me. I felt like I blinked and I was testing for my black
belt two years later. And then I blinked again and it was two years later
again, and I was asking Mrs. Williams to become a teacher. What happened
to the boy who, when asked a question, his brother answered for him?
Where did HE go? He grew up, he got stronger, he got a lot more outgoing
(that’s for sure.) And before I knew it, it was testing day.
And that’s it. I passed that testing and was able to teach TKD with everyone
for the next four years, and will hopefully be teaching for many more years
to come.
Mr. Paul D. Jones - 3rd Degree Black Belt
Eight years ago my family was searching for an extracurricular activity to help me
develop some muscle in a positive atmosphere. At the recommendation of a friend
my brother Don and I started at West Coast Taekwondo, the long road carrying the
both of us to black belt and eventually instructorship. Taekwondo helped me change
from being the shy little couch potato I was all those years ago; it definitely added to
my self-confidence and helped me feel capable of handling myself in a dangerous
situation. But more importantly, the TKD studio is like my second home, and the
friends I've made there are unforgettable.
As a teacher, I'm generally friendly and energetic. I have to be, to keep up with those
sparks in the Little Dragon program! Don is my right hand man when working with the
Little Ds: while I lead the class and keep the excitement flowing, Don works carefully
with each student to polish the more complicated techniques. Aside from the Dragons,
I love to work with students young and old! My favorite aspect of taekwondo is
sparring, by far: it's tactical, challenging, and a real endurance builder.
Outside of the studio, I am a full-time student at Chapman University in my second
year as an economics major. My ultimate goal is to become a professor in my chosen
field, and get the chance to take my teaching experience to a different level. I live in
Orange (not too far from Irvine Park!) with my parents Paul and Julie, my brothers
Don and Aaron, my sister Emily and our dog Molly.
Don't forget to practice, and I'll see you in class!
Eight years ago my family was searching for an extracurricular activity to help me
develop some muscle in a positive atmosphere. At the recommendation of a friend
my brother Don and I started at West Coast Taekwondo, the long road carrying the
both of us to black belt and eventually instructorship. Taekwondo helped me change
from being the shy little couch potato I was all those years ago; it definitely added to
my self-confidence and helped me feel capable of handling myself in a dangerous
situation. But more importantly, the TKD studio is like my second home, and the
friends I've made there are unforgettable.
As a teacher, I'm generally friendly and energetic. I have to be, to keep up with those
sparks in the Little Dragon program! Don is my right hand man when working with the
Little Ds: while I lead the class and keep the excitement flowing, Don works carefully
with each student to polish the more complicated techniques. Aside from the Dragons,
I love to work with students young and old! My favorite aspect of taekwondo is
sparring, by far: it's tactical, challenging, and a real endurance builder.
Outside of the studio, I am a full-time student at Chapman University in my second
year as an economics major. My ultimate goal is to become a professor in my chosen
field, and get the chance to take my teaching experience to a different level. I live in
Orange (not too far from Irvine Park!) with my parents Paul and Julie, my brothers
Don and Aaron, my sister Emily and our dog Molly.
Don't forget to practice, and I'll see you in class!
Mr. Steven Austin - 4th Degree Decided Black Belt
Hi, I was looking for something for my kids to do for the summer and
stumbled onto an ad for West Coast Taekwondo.What luck! The kids loved
it and took to it right away.I started taking classes eight months after my
kids thinking that it didn't look so hard.Boy was I wrong.I only lasted 30
mins. in my 1st couple of classes.I didn't realize how out of shape I
was,but with perseverance,hard work and the inspiration of my
instructors,I made it to Black Belt.
I was inspired by the caring attitude of the instructors towards the students
to become an instructor so that I could share the knowledge they had
given me,and maybe be an inspiration to others to reach for thier goals.I
now get great satisfaction from seeing the growth in skills and confidence
of our students as they reach for thier goals.
It's so true that "A black belt is only a white belt that never quit".I still
remember those 1st classes,but I now realize that the hardest part was
actually walking through the door in the 1st place.The rest is easy if you
stay focused on the goal because there is no sweeter prize than when
perseverance crosses the finish line.I look forward to seeing you in the
ranks at West Coast Taekwondo.
Hi, I was looking for something for my kids to do for the summer and
stumbled onto an ad for West Coast Taekwondo.What luck! The kids loved
it and took to it right away.I started taking classes eight months after my
kids thinking that it didn't look so hard.Boy was I wrong.I only lasted 30
mins. in my 1st couple of classes.I didn't realize how out of shape I
was,but with perseverance,hard work and the inspiration of my
instructors,I made it to Black Belt.
I was inspired by the caring attitude of the instructors towards the students
to become an instructor so that I could share the knowledge they had
given me,and maybe be an inspiration to others to reach for thier goals.I
now get great satisfaction from seeing the growth in skills and confidence
of our students as they reach for thier goals.
It's so true that "A black belt is only a white belt that never quit".I still
remember those 1st classes,but I now realize that the hardest part was
actually walking through the door in the 1st place.The rest is easy if you
stay focused on the goal because there is no sweeter prize than when
perseverance crosses the finish line.I look forward to seeing you in the
ranks at West Coast Taekwondo.