Jenny Brown, Sensei

Jenny Brown, Sensei

Millie Arrango, Sensei

Millie Arrango, Sensei

A Gradute from the Florida International University Karate program.

Millie Arrango, Sensei is Self-assured, with an imenese energetic spirit. She is ambitious and enthusiastic. She is a frank, honest Sensei, full of vigor and vitality. She is strong-willed and her depth of character and passionate conviction have driving her to much success. She possesses an immense Combative strength. She can undertake big projects, conclude them successfully and receive the deserved rewards. She likes responsibilities and difficulties above all and has always been a winner in all she has done.

Santa T. Rivera, Sensei

Santa T. Rivera, Sensei

Santa T. Rivera is a wonderful all-around Sensei. She is a loyal, caring, and honest friend, a hard-working, dedicated, and conscientious student, and a talented, ambitious, and fearless athlete. Santa gives it her all in every aspect of his life. Her energetic, competitive, and friendly personality shines through in everything she does. Santa is likeable to all who meet her and she is a fantastic ambassador for World Sansei Koryu Gojukai Karatedo Community.

Elton Valentin, Sensei

Elton Valentin, Sensei

Miguel Montalvo, Sensei

Miguel Montalvo, Sensei

“The greater the loyalty of a group toward the group, the greater is the motivation among the members to achieve the goals of the group, and the greater the probability that the group will achieve its goals.

”Rensis Likert

Miguel Montalvo, Sensei is a committed. Loyal and passionate Sensei; He has spent many years developing programs that engage his students, with enthusiasm and fervor. Montalvo, Sensei works with students until they feel confident in their Karate. He is a reflective teacher, who is committed to his own lifelong learning, Montalvo, Sensei is a highly regarded professional committed to his students and their entire welfare. His colleagues hold him in high regard due to his integrity, honesty and his ability to achieve great results.. Montalvo, Sensei dedicates endless hours to create curriculum and resources for his classes. He is dedicated to providing the very best Karate education possible for students. He began training martial arts in 1970 at Interamerican University in Puerto Rico; graduated in 1975, reach brown belt level in Okinawan Kempo under Willie Hernandez, Sensei. Later on June 1975, opened the first Karate Dojo in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico. Montalvo, Sensei Holds 3rd Dan in Okinawan Kempo under Cecil Peoples, Sensei and Willie Hernandez, Sensei. He was inducted in The World Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 1984 and in The Latin American Martial Arts Hall of Fame, in the Life Achievement Award category. He is Recognized and certified as a Master Instructor 9th Dan by the United Nations Martial Arts Federation and World Sansei Koryu Gojukai Karatedo under Manny Saavedra, Kaicho. Considered as one of the pioneers in Karate in Puerto Rico and appears in the PR First Martial Arts Encyclopedia under Karate Pioneers & Legends, written by Hector Sotomayor, PhD. He has been a Competitor, a Coach and Instructor of Karate for over 38 years. He is a certified Defensive Tactics and Baton Instructor for the US Federal Government, and is a state and federal Law Enforcement Officer with over 22 years of experience. He has been a member of the World Sansei Koryu Gojukai Karatedo and a direct student of Manny Saavedra since 1983.

Tony Palomore, Sensei

Tony Palomore, Sensei

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.

How can we find true friendship in this often phony, temporary world? Friendship involves recognition or familiarity with another's personality. Friends often share likes and dislikes, interests, pursuits, and passion. Genuine friendship involves a shared sense of caring and concern, a desire to see one another grow and develop, and a hope for each other to succeed in all aspects of life. True friendship involves action: doing something for someone else while expecting nothing in return; sharing thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or negative criticism. Tony Palmore, Sensei is a true and tested friend; he has been in the World Sansei Koryu Gojukai Karatedo Organization for over 25 years. He is a member of the board of directors. The PKA superheavyweight Champion of the World is one of many the titles he has held, and he has won many national and international events. Tony Palmore motivates his students to develop as high achieving good citizens. His fitness and Karate programs are helping to build team spirit and forge a positive image in our community. He is a member of the Dade County School System. He is a personal advisor to the organizational founder, Manny Saavedra, Kaicho and a direct Student of his.

Claudine Chung, Sensei

Claudine Chung, Sensei

Claudine Chung, Sensei, brings to her students a vast repertoire amassed over a long and successful teaching career. She is a graduate of Florida International University and its Karate program and a Direct student of Manny Saavedra, Kaicho. Her work is typified by careful planning, collaboration with her colleagues and delivery of diverse learning experiences. With her outstanding energy, skills and knowledge, Her teaching is values-based and flexible and designed to develop her students’ best abilities. With her innovative talents and boundless energy, Claudine demonstrates total commitment to improving the learning outcomes for her students by developing and implementing effective, innovative programs. By immersing her students in exciting and relevant learning experiences, Claudine actively encourages and motivates them to become lifelong learners. She is a passionate and thoughtful educator and an asset to the World Sansei Koryu Gojukia Karatedo Organization. She resides in North Carolina.

Steve Ray, Sensei

Steve Ray, Sensei

Positive, caring and dynamic leadership underpin Steve Ray's reputation. Steve demonstrates effective, non-critical support for students and colleagues. Steve Ray, Sensei inspires students to work hard and has the highest expectation for their success, behaviour and work ethic. He promotes real world problem solving and connects his students to contemporary issues wherever possible. He is committed to making a difference to the students he teaches. His colleagues and students appreciate his professional conduct and courteous approach to relationships. He is a committed Sensei and learner who consistently shows an ability and willingness to reflect, investigate and put in place new ideas and strategies.

Giovanni Gonzalez, Sensei

Giovanni Gonzalez, Sensei

A born teacher and natural leader, Giovanni Gonzalez, Sensei is a passionate practitioner. His colleagues describe him as a person who is decisive, committed, loyal and totally professional, always striving to bring out the best in those with whom he comes into contact. Giovanni demonstrates total commitment to improving the learning outcomes for his students and team members by developing and implementing effective, innovative ideas. By immersing his team members and students in exciting and relevant learning experiences, Giovanni actively encourages and motivates them to become lifelong learners, and encourages them to have a passionate outlook on Karate. He has competed nationally in major championships and has won high honors in many of them.

Jennifer Espina, Sensei

Jennifer Espina, Sensei

Jennifer Espina, Sensei demonstrates the knowledge and attributes of an excellent Sensei, ensuring her students are motivated and engaged. Jennifer works tirelessly devising innovative programs to meet her students’ needs. Jennifer encourages students in their training and is a positive role model. Jennifer Espina, Sensei has established a model learning environment, resulting in mutual respect and high standards of behaviour and achievement in the Dojo. She is a skilled practitioner and a fierce competitor. She has traveled nation wide and has placed in high honors in National Championships. Jennifer uses an imaginative variety of innovative teaching strategies to engage her students. The emphasis is on cooperative learning and an encouraging approach. Jennifer has developed outstanding rapport with all her students, based on a genuine interest in their lives beyond the Dojo environment.

Julia Ferrazzano, Sensei

Julia Ferrazzano, Sensei

Julia Ferrazzano, Sensei creates an energized environment where all her team members share positive experiences to achieve excellence. her brilliant interpersonal and communication skills and exiting personality make her an asset to the team. Julia Ferrazzano, Sensei demonstrates exceptional dedication and commitment. She is a member of Team Sansei and is a fierce competitor on the national level, she has placed in high honors in many national championships. She possesses a highly motivating personality, She is a positive role model and an asset to the World Sansei Koryu Gojukia Karatedo.

Mike Martinez, Sensei

Mike Martinez, Sensei

In Florida International University Mike Martinez, Sensei was an integral and enthusiastic Sensei who could be relied on for imaginative teaching techniques and ideas. Colleagues describe Mike as a warm, kind hearted and dedicated Sensei who treats his students as individuals. His enthusiasm and teaching style are highly motivating and infectious and enabled him to bring the students on any learning journey he chooses.

Mike Martinez, Sensei joined the United States Marines and served his time. He now resides in California

Damian Rodriguez, Sensei

Damian Rodriguez, Sensei
A born teacher and natural leader
A very conscientious young man who takes pride in his individual work, Damian has achieved a high level of recognition for his participation in national events. He participated in some of the largest events in the USA and has placed with top honors. On the Dojo floor, Damian's strength of character is demonstrated by his dedication, unselfishness, positive attitude and commitment to his team-mates. Competing in all black belt divisions nationwide representing Team Sansei, he has earned and achieved athletic successes through exemplary attitude, perseverance and skill.

THE FUTURE

From the Bamboo Dojo, Miami, Florida

Yelena Corton, Sandra Rodriguez, Ivonne Toro

Romina Pastorelli, Sensei

Romina Pastorelli, Sensei

"Art is a kind of innate drive that seizes a human being and makes him its instrument. The artist is not a person endowed with free will who seeks his own ends, but one who allows art to realize its purpose through him."

- -- Carl Jung

Artistic, Passion, dedication, enthusiasm, innovation and tenacity are words that best describe Romina Pastorelli's teaching attributes. A creative thinker, Romina challenges every one of her student. She is dedicated and motivated in her teaching profession. she is a brilliant and inspiring professional who creates nothing but a positive image for the education system. Romina is an outstanding teacher and an inspirational person. . She is a direct student of Manny Saavedra, Kaicho.

For those who understand

Cultivo una Rosa Blanca

Cultivo una rosa blanca En Junio como en Enero, Para el amigo sincero, Que me da su mano franca.
Y para el cruel que me arranca El corazón con que vivo, Cardo ni ortiga cultivo cultivo una rosa blanca.

World Sansei (Higher Education) University

To the membership

The mission of the World Sansei Koryu Gojukai Karatedo Educators is to:
Work in partnership with all schools within its membership, community colleges, Universities, parents, teachers, administrators and all other concerned individuals to provide a total educational opportunity that develop skills and knowledge, potential, self-esteem, productivity and motivation for lifelong learning in the Martial Arts. Through programs emphasizing academic excellence, the Board, is committed to developing professional martial arts educators who are; knowledgeable, thoughtful, and skillful - educators who think critically and who can synthesize experiences as responsible persons in a free society, as professional technicians and as effective leaders, business owners and innovators. Recognizing the multi-system, multifaceted nature of American martial arts society, the board affirms that programs that prepare professional martial arts educators must emphasize historical variety and diversity. The overall mission of the Black Belt Board of Martial Arts Educators Association is towards developing professional educators.

We endorse and promote the following values in order to achieve this mission:
High expectations for students, instructors, parents and communities;
A clear vision of desired results

Strong leadership
Teamwork
Ethnic and cultural diversity
Appropriate educational development
Safe, clean, orderly learning environments
Accountability
Recognition of, and rewards for excellence
Community and family participation and support
Life long learning

To the Chairman of the Physical Education Dept.,

Like physical education directors in other university settings, a large part of your mission statement is offering courses serving the dual purpose of enhancing the students well being, along with the financial condition of your institution. We propose Karate to serve both purposes. It has a proven popularity enhanced by all the media attention that it receives. It is currently generating large tuition revenues in university settings such as: City College of New York, Western Carolina University and Florida International University, to name a few. At FIU, the program began two nights a week, with a total of three possible credits per semester. The initial class attracted thirty four students. After two years, Karate is taught four days a week, on two campuses for over five hundred and fifty credit hours, and has sponsored a competition team that is known internationally as Team Sansei. Karate was one of the most popular classes in the university. With over 700 credit hours, making it the largest Karate program of any University in the United States.

Our program meets all the guidelines for credit required by the university systems in the states of New York, North Carolina, Florida and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Students in our classes learn through an Organizational certified instructor who teaches from a common body of technical material contained in a text book approved by the university. At all times we closely supervise training in a formal and mutually respectful atmosphere. Our instructors understand the different teaching methods required within a university setting. Our instructors are experienced in blending the requirements and expectations of an accredited course and a karate program.

The Intercollegiate Karate Association and the World Sansei Koryu Gojukai Karatedo Organization established at the University level is a national collegiate competition circuit. Member colleges and Universities will compete in divisions throughout the country. Valuable exposure for your university can be gained through media coverage at championship events. Students gain a sense of pride and accomplishment in their school by representing it at a sporting events.

Thank you for taking your very valuable time to read and consider our proposal.

Very truly yours,

Manny Saavedra
Program Director {Kaicho World Sansei}

World Sansei Life's Work

Karate Your Life’s Work


While I cannot tell you what your life’s work is in any detail, I can suggest a few terms to serve as a frame of reference while you are making your search. In your life’s work, you will find a mix of integrity, service, enjoyment, and excellence.

Integrity: Your life’s work is something you deeply care about. In line with your values and ideals, its something you can be proud to work for. Of course, it is important that your work not conflict with your values and ideals. More than this, a life’s work is born out of your visions, values, and ideals. It’s giving life to your ideals, anchoring them in the everyday world of action.
Purposeful, Meaningful, responsible, honest, truthful.

Service: Your life’s work is your way of making this world a better place. Its something you can make an important contribution to. We all want to give; to know that we do is benefiting others. Your life’s work is an opportunity to put your love in action. It’s your way of taking a stand to help your fellow man.
Helping, caring, loving, giving, contribution.
How can I make this world a better Dojo?


Enjoyment: Your life’s work is something you love to do, something your talents can find full expression through. If we enjoy our work, we are sure to bring our creativity and enthusiasm to it. If we do not, we are sure to get burnt out, frustrated, resentful, or indifferent. Not matter how noble the ideal or seemingly valuable your service, you must bring joy to it if you are to be truly successful. Work without joy is a chore or a bore. Channel your creative powers into meaningful contributions.
Talents, creating, joy, gratitude.
What do I love to do?

Excellence: Your life’s world is something you can give your all to. Something you can describe yourself to. The dancer has his/her body pain, the writer struggles and racks his brain, the craftsman sweats every detail, and the musician has his endless scales. Always quality has its price. It takes extra effort to make it nice.
Dedication, persistence, determination, quality
What can I dedicate to enough persist to excellence?

1987-2008

HOMBU DOJO 1987
Jose Del Real, Sensei
1987 Shiai

2008 Bushido Open

Bob Budihas, Sensei, Manny Saavedra, Kaicho, Tony Palmore, Sensei, Joe Anon, Sensei