Get to Know Our Instructors:
All martial arts instructors at W. Kim Taekwondo in Palatine, IL are trained to ensure that our martial arts classes are safe, effective and fun.
Our instructors and instructor assistants are trained to focus on more than just teaching martial arts skills. Instructors also learn how to work with all students, tailoring their martial arts teaching methods to fit the individual child. Emphasis is put on encouragement and positive correction.
We are committed to teaching the physical skills of martial arts while applying attitude-shaping exercises aimed at bringing out the best character and physical potential in each student. Through weekly martial arts training, instructors advance their own martial art and educational knowledge to become even more effective martial arts teachers.
W. Kim Taekwondo instructors are required to maintain their personal level of martial arts knowledge and a high level of personal growth. They are expected to take class on a regular basis and test at least once per year.
Our Palatine Martial Arts staff at W. Kim Taekwondo looks forward to working with you.
Fun facts about the staff at W. Kim Taekwondo
Kwan Jang Nim – Grand Master Dae In Kim
Sah Bum Nim – Head Master Tae Hyung Kim
Sah Bum Nim – Master James Netzel
Sah Bum Nim – Master Mason Jung
Boo Sah Bum Nim – Instructor Mark Wilhelm
What you like best about being an instructor: Aside from helping people learn the TKD that I love, seeing everybody’s progression is very fun and interesting. The transformations are just astounding.
Why you chose TKD: I started doing TKD when I was a kid because it was the only thing around at the time (a long time ago). Aside from that, TKD focuses on kicking and having relatively long legs, it utilizes my body’s natural advantage.
Why you chose W. Kim TKD to train: W. Kim was one of two schools in the area. When Rachel wanted to take Martial Arts, I went in to W. Kim and talked about TKD, our goals and the school philosophy. I “audited” a few classes and felt the school was a good fit for my daughter and I.
Why you chose W. Kim TKD to instruct at: It was a natural progression from practitioner to instructor
Interests: TKD of course!
Boo Sah Bum Nim – Instructor Eric Clausell
Choosing TKD: I originally started in Tang Soo Do which is another Korean martial art that had a common root in Moo Duk Kwan. When I moved to the area I chose to train in TKD because I loved the items it had in common with Tang Soo Do as well as the items unique to it, such as the dynamic kicking and exciting sparring.
Choosing W Kim TKD: When I visited the school I immediately saw that the school was serious about training and students in TKD but also focused on creating a friendly training environment. The quality and expertise of the Kims’ instruction played a big part in my decision.
Favorite thing: Quality of instructors, masters, and grand masters.
What you like best about being an instructor: I love it when I try a new teaching method and it ends up being very effective.
Year I joined W. Kim TKD: 2001
Interests: Kinesiology, new technology, cognitive science, and football.
Hobbies: Reading, brewing, and tinkering.
Favorite food: The one that doesn’t bite back.
Favorite color: Blue
Your favorite kick: The one that hits all by itself
Your life/school achievements: BSA Eagle Scout, National Merit Scholar, Golden Key National Honor Society
Spouse/Children: Wife (1)
College Degree/Employer: BS Computer Engineering, WVU Honors program
Boo Sah Bum Nim – Instructor Jeff Ross
Bio coming soon!
Boo Sah Bum Nim – Instructor Brent Steffens
Year I joined W. Kim TKD: 1994
What I like best about being an instructor:My favorite part about being an instructor is getting to see the kids run up to their parents and excitedly talk to them about what they learned that day or show them a stripe or star that they received for their belt. I love helping kids realize that they have the potential to accomplish whatever they want to.
Why I chose TKD: I chose TKD because it has the perfect balance of dependency for me. I have to depend on myself to accomplish the personal goals that I set for myself, and when I work hard or accomplish a goal I know that I can be proud in myself and my effort. I can also depend on those around me, to help support me, encourage me, and push me to achieve that next level, whatever it may be. Having people who support you and care about you is indispensable.
Why I chose W. Kim TKD to train: I chose W. Kim TKD to train because it was transformative for me when I was younger, and it would have been silly for me to give up something that had such a big impact on my life. When I was younger, I had quite a bit of extra energy. Instead of seeing it as a hindrance, I learned to channel and focus that extra energy into improving myself.
Why I chose W. Kim TKD to instruct at: I love to teach. I love Tae Kwon Do. Putting the two together has been amazing.
Interests: Psychology, history, reading, cooking
Hobbies: Video games, running, reading philosophy, film analysis, Scrabble
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Color: Purple
My favorite kick: Side kick
My favorite form: Basic 1. You have to start somewhere and I feel like I’m getting pretty good at it now.
Your life/school achievements: My life goal is to complete my Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology and begin teaching at the university level while doing research on a span of topics, which includes but is not limited to reading comprehension and linguistics.
College Degree/Employer: I have a Bachelors degree in Psychology, with a minor in History from Northern Illinois University. I’m currently in graduate school at Northern Illinois University, working to get my Ph.D in Cognitive Psychology.
Boo Sah Bum Nim - Instructor Samantha Lifson
Year I joined W.Kim TKD: 1998
What I like best about being an instructor: I love being able to teach others the knowledge that I was, and still am, privileged to learn. I feel like I’m passing on something absolutely great when I can teach a student a form that I learned when I was their age. More importantly, I just love seeing each student enter and leave with a smile on their face. It’s such a great feeling to see a kid finally accomplish a technique he or she was struggling with, and to run up proudly to their parents whenever they receive their next stripe or belt! I love feeling like a positive influence and a helping hand in my students lives, and being able to watch them achieve their dreams is something I wouldn’t give up for the world.
Why I chose TKD: When I was 3 years old I saw the movie Mulan in theaters. It was such an inspiration! I couldn’t believe how amazing a girl could be, especially in a world meant only for the boys. I wanted to be just like her! Wanting to become like Mulan translated into taking martial arts!
Why I chose W. Kim TKD to train: I can’t picture myself anywhere other than W. Kim. This school is such a large part of my life. It’s more than a second home to me; it’s a place where I know I’ll always belong and it’s filled with people I know I’ll have in my life forever.
Why I chose W. Kim TKD to instruct at: After spending so much of my life devoted to training at W. Kim Taekwondo, instructing there was just the next step up! I was so honored to become an instructor, and to teach others what I love to do. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Everyone at W. Kim is like my family, I can rely on everyone there and I know I’ll never find a place that I feel so welcomed and accepted.
Interests: Taekwondo, dancing, singing, Korean/Japanese music, drawing, reading, writing
Hobbies: Taekwondo! Dancing, video games, drawing, tennis, badminton, eating, sleeping, playing with my doggies.
Favorite Food: I love food! But my favorite has got to be sweet potato fries.
Favorite Color: Bubblegum pink and sky blue
My favorite kick: Side kick, jump turn roundhouse, or jumping front snap kick.
My favorite form: Koryo form. I poured so much time, energy, and sweat into making that form ready for competition. It’s got a place in my heart, for sure!
Kyo Bum Nim – Instructor Charlie Morrison
Why you chose TKD: I’ve had experiences with other martial arts and W Kim offered what I liked and what I wanted to learn.
Why you chose W. Kim TKD to train: I did my research around the area and loved how the classes where taught, how I was greeted, and who was teaching me.
Why you chose W. Kim to be an Instructor: I watched old kung fu movies all the time growing up and wanted to be involved in a school since I was little. This job is a dream come true for me, that is why I instruct here.
Interests: anything musical, playing instruments
Hobbies: Jamming with friends in a rock band
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite Color: grey
What you like best about Being An Instructor: being a hero to kids and working out at night
Favorite Kick: jumping back hook kick.
Favorite Form: Chugee Il/Ee Jang
Life Achievements: being able to play guitar at the House of Blues in Chicago with rock stars I grew up listening to.
School Achievements: Bachelor of Arts in Theater with music emphasis.
Kyo Bum Nim – Instructor Rosario Postiglione
Year I started TKD: 1996 was when the seed was planted, 2002 was when it bloomed at W. Kim TKD.
What you like best about being an instructor - Sharing my passion for TKD with students and the feeling that I get when I see their improvements and see them grow into the art.
Why you chose TKD - I find the kicking techniques spectacular, I love how people respect each other, it gives me self-confidence.
Why you chose W. Kim TKD to train - Because it is family run and family oriented; also how W. Kim makes sure that all members fit in with the school values.
Why you chose W. Kim TKD to instruct - Because Kwan Jang Nim Kim is my Master and I feel privileged to be his student and honored by his trust in my Instructor skills.
Your interests – History and Science
Your hobbies – Fishing, RVing, Training my German Shepherd
Your favorite food – Lasagna
Your favorite color- Black
Your favorite kick: Back Hook Kick
Your favorite form: Koryo
Your life/school achievements – Becoming a TKD instructor, owning a business.
Spouse/Children - Lara Postiglione (2nd Dan) spouse, Ciro Postiglione (1st Dan) son, Luca Postiglione (2nd Dan) son, Sabrina Postiglione (Red Belt) daughter…most people “opt” to be our friends…
College Degree/Employer - BS Electronics / CMA-CGM America
Kyo Bum Nim- Instructor Val Peterson
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
Kyo Bum Nim – Junior Instructor Adam Jo
What you like best about being an instructor: I like the fact that as an instructor, you still do not know everything. You have to come everyday to train and learn things you did not know before. But what I love best about being an instructor is watching the student grow better and stronger. Not just physically, but mentally too. I enjoy having to deal with children others would consider difficult. When I work with them and see them change into a better person over time, I can say that I was someone who helped that student become the person they are now. It amazes me to see the change. I also like talking with parents about the child. It gives me a better perspective on what the parent expects of the child, and I feel as if I understand the child better to help them into a better person.
Why you chose W. Kim TKD to train: W. Kim Taekwondo has always been such a big part of my life. When I moved to Korea and back, I had a chance to look at a different variety of Taekwondo schools. What I like about W. Kim more than the rest of the other schools is the environment we have. Everybody is a family, and nobody is left behind, even the new students. When someone is having trouble with something, they have the entire W. Kim family that has their back, always encouraging them and helping them be their best. Everybody is caring, supportive, and even welcoming to new members. It is like having a second family.
Why you chose W. Kim TKD to instruct at: I have been with W. Kim Taekwondo for most of my life. I love the environment, I love Taekwondo, and I really wanted to make a positive influence on peoples’ lives (even if they didn’t know it). It was just natural that I chose W. Kim to instruct.
Kyo Bum Nim – Junior Instructor Josh Vorick
Kyo Bum Nim – Instructor Brandon Thio
Kyo Bum Nim – Instructor Lara Postiglione
Kyo Bum Nim – Instructor Matt Hrastinski
Kyo Bum Nim- Instructor Matt Geleske
Started TKD: 1999
What I like best about being an Instructor: Helping people succeed
Interests: TKD, running, music
Hobbies: TKD, running, guitar
Favorite Food: Bacon
Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Kick: Flying Side Kick
Favorite Form: Poen
Achievements: Honor roll
Kyo Bum Nim – Junior Instructor Luca Postiglione
My Favorite Form: Koreo
My Life/School Achievements: Straight A’s on report card for last 4 years, being able to travel to many different places, being a Tae Kwon Do Instructor!
Kyo Bum Nim- Junior Instructor Manthra Venkat
Bio coming soon!
Kyo Bum Nim- Junior Instructor Rachel Wilhelm
Bio coming soon!
Kyo Bum Nim- Junior Instructor Andy Geleske
Started TKD: 2000
What I like best about being a Junior Instructor: Teaching people more techniques
Interests: TKD, running
Hobbies: TKD, running, xbox
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Kick: Jump Turn Roundhouse Kick
Favorite Form: Koryo
Achievements: Varsity Cross Country, Honor Roll
