Our Instructors
All of our instructors have dedicated many years training in the martial arts. They have shown their skill in numerous testings and tournament competition. It is their dedication and devotion to their skills, as well as their mastery, that make them worthy to be called teachers and mentors.
David Paskiet
(Roku-Dan) 49+ Years Martial Arts experience
Sensei Paskiet, with over 49 years of martial arts experience, has been studying the martial arts since he was 5 years old. He started as a student of Shorin Ryu – Shorinkan Karate under Hanshi Robert Herten. After being discharged from the Navy in 1988, he took up Goshin Ryu under Jim Peterson. In 2000, he migrated to the Isshin Ryu community and is now under Master Doug King. He has since obtained his Roku-Dan (6th degree) black belt rank in Isshin Ryu Karate. He has also taken classes in Kung Fu (Shaolin Long Fist, Win Chung), Tai Chi, and Aikido. He has a long successful line as a competitive fighter, both point and full contact as well as a tournament competitor.
He finds great reward and enjoyment in teaching and passing on the traditions of discipline, confidence and self reliance that have made him who he is today. In order to continue to pass this on, he opened up his own dojo in East Stroudsburg in March of 2008 with the intent that all those wanting to learn would have a place to do so regardless of their financial position.
Awards and Recognitions:
- 2022 Whos Who International Hall of Honors
- 2020 Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors – Esteemed Martial Artist
- 2019 Middle Smithfield Township Person of the Year
- 2018 Member of Sembach Self Defense Alliance
- 2018 Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors – Golden Lifetime Contribution
- 2017 Don Nagle AOKA Hall of Fame – Sensei of the Year
- 2017 Inducted into the Society of Black Belts of America (SOBBA)
- 2015 International Association of Martial Arts Hall of Fame – Instructor of the Year
- 2015 World Karate Union Hall of Fame Instructor of the Year Isshin Ryu
- 2013 Voted Best in the Poconos Martial Arts Instructor
- 2013 Voted Best in the Poconos Martial Arts School
- 2012 Don Nagle AOKA Hall of Fame – Outstanding Instructor
- 2012 Voted Best in the Poconos Martial Arts Instructor
- 2012 Voted Best in the Poconos Martial Arts School
Dawn Paskiet
(Ni-Dan)
Mrs. Paskiet has studied hard over the years and overcome much adversity and worked around many limitations. She is a strong leader and role model for all students was instrumental in this founding of this program.
Leeann Emmel
(San-Dan)
Ms. Leeann Emmel, has been studying the martials arts since she was 10 years old as a student of Paskiet Martial Arts Academy under Sensei Paskiet. As a brown belt, promoted in 2013, she was given the responsibility to help instruct in classes and found it to be extremely rewarding. She was promoted to Sho Dan in August of 2016 and continues to instruct and pass on the traditions and knowledge she has been given as well as continuing down her own path in the martial arts.
Awards and Recognitions:
- 2017 Don Nagle AOKA Hall of Fame Recognition – Outstanding Loyalty
Jack Dokachev
(Sho-Dan)
Bio Coming soon
Black Belts
All of our black belts throughout the years have proven themselves time and again. Even though many have moved on they are still part of our family. We love when they come back to train when they are in town!