6780 Pittsford-Palmyra RdOur Staff
Our instructors are friendly, caring people who work together to help you achieve the most from training. They represent a highly diverse group committed to CANI (Constant and Never Ending Improvement) for themselves as well as others…USA Karate maintains one of the areas finest staff that creates a positive atmosphere where students are motivated to excel and they are here to assist you.
Kathy Faust, School Director
As our School Director, Kathy enjoys the opportunity to help each individual student achieve their personal best. Kathy began the study of Martial Arts in 1975. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. In karate, she earned 5th degree Black Belt and holds degrees in other styles. Kathy has been nationally rated several times in competition and trained with many well known instructors. Sensei Faust has created over 300 Black Belts in Fairport.
Sensei believes in contributing to the Fairport community. In the last 4 years alone USA Karate has donated over $50,000 to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, for 6 years USA Karate has volunteered to run Jefferson Avenue’s karate club directed by Peg Schoenfeld, for over 20 years USA Karate has adopted route 31 between Mosley Rd and Mason Road. In addition USA Karate participates in “Summer for Soldiers, Cameron Street Ministries, The ALS run, The Perinton Foodshelf, Officer Diponzio, Operation Christmas Shoebox, the Boy & Girls scouts, Emeritus Home, Support the Troops, Goodwill of Fairport, and many other community organizations.
Staff instructors
Our staff instructors are:
- R. Teal Schlegel, Sensei Teal is a 3rd degree Black Belt and brings tremendous passion to his martial arts teaching and training. Sensei Teal was born in 1984, is one of 6 Black Belts in his 7 member family, graduated from Pittsford Mendon, and is currently studying at Brockport. Sensei Teal has been a member on the US Junior National Team and the US Men’s National team. Sensei Teal began his Black Belt journey with Sensei Faust at age 6.
- Jason Lawniczak, Jason began training in 2000 with his younger brother and was joined by his sister a few years after. His true passion in the martial arts is teaching and he is always looking for new ways to help all of our students grow and reach their next goal! He achieved his 2nd degree Black belt in 2009 and has been a staff instructor since 2002.
- Jerry Cooper began his training with his son in 1999. He earned his 2nd degree Black Belt in 2009. Mr. Cooper is USA Karate’s Program Director and does a fantastic job of helping students build a strong foundation for their martial arts training. He received National recognition as a Program Director from EFC in 2008.
Shihon Kiyoshi Nishime
Sensei Faust trains under the guidance of Shihon Kiyoshi Nishime, owner of Nishime Family Karate. With over 40 years of experience in the martial arts, Master Instructor Shihon Kiyoshi Nishime has taught thousands of students at his schools in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. A native of Okinawa, Japan, Sensei Nishime moved to the United States in 1973 to teach karate.
In 1998 he was awarded a Life-time Achievement Award from the Japanese government for his contributions to martial arts and was recognized as the 1999 National Instructor of the Year by the Amateur Athletic Union. He now teaches seminars world wide. As a father of three and grandfather of four, he has seen first-hand how training in Karate together benefits families.
Visit www.nishimekarate.com for more information about Nishime Family Karate.
