Our Instructors & Staff Members

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Taekwondo and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students. Here are a few of Family Martial Arts Fitness Academy, LLC's instructors and other staff members, starting with Cheryl Baumann:

Cheryl Baumann  (7th Dan / Kukkiwon) Master Baumann has been involved in Taekwondo for over 30 years, and is one of the highest ranked female martial artists in the St. Louis area. Master Baumann is the founder and head instructor of New World Moo Do Kwan, and is a founding member of Gateway Moo Do Kwan association. Master Baumann is a certified National level referee with USA Taekwondo, and holds numerous certifications in group exercise instruction, yoga, water aerobics, and physical fitness. We are very proud, and honored to have Master Baumann as our Chief Technical Advisor.

Norman Leeker  (5th Dan / Kukkiwon)  Master Leeker is the head instructor and has been studying Taekwondo since 1985. A certified national level referee with USA Taekwondo, Master Leeker is a certified American Council on Martial Arts (ACMA) Instructor, a member of the Martial Arts Teachers Association (MATA), and Gateway Moo Do Kwan association. Master Leeker is also a certified Level 2 Aerobic Kickboxing instructor, and often combines boxing, grappling, and weapons into his lessons.

Annette Green  (3rd Dan / Kukkiwon)  Mrs. Green is the Senior Taekwondo Instructor and has been studying Taekwondo for more than 20 years. A certified referee with USA Taekwondo. Mrs. Green is a member of the Gateway Moo Do Kwan Association, and is an excellent poomse (forms) technician and coach.

Thomas Hardin  (3rd Dan) Thomas Hardin is a graduate of Union High School and holds an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from East Central College. Mr. Hardin began training in 1995 at Master Cheryl Baumann's School in Union, MO. Mr. Hardin is a National Poomsae Champion and has won Gold and Silver medals in National Competition and is always working hard to improve himself and the students training under him.

Andy Virgen  (2nd Dan / Kukkiwon) Mr. Virgen has been studying Taekwondo for over 12 years, and works hard at developing the performance skills of our students.

Laura Schaefer  (3rd Dan) Mrs. Schaefer began her martial arts training in 1996 and earned her 1st degree black belt in Songahm Taekwondo in 1999. She has run several clubs, earned a Third Degree Black Belt, and competed in the "World Top Ten" in Songahm Taekwondo. Mrs. Schaefer holds a Bachelor Degree in Exercise Science from UMSL. Mrs. Schaefer works hard at developing perfect form in all of her techniques.

Virginia Grotewiel  (Aerobic Kickboxing Instructor) Jenny is a certified Aerobic Kickboxing instructor, and leads high-energy kickboxing and bodyshaping workouts. Jenny has also earned a Brown belt in Judo. Mrs. Grotewiel has been leading Aerobic Kickboxing for over five years.

Stacey Secor Stacey is our Homeschool Physical Education instructor.

Eric Bockhorst  (Assistant Instructor) Eric has been training with Family Martial Arts for over six years and is an energetic instructor. Mr. Bockhorst's classes have an emphasis on physical conditioning, and he is always ready to help our students get that extra edge when it comes to Taekwondo.

For more information about the Family Martial Arts Fitness Academy, LLC staff or training programs, please contact us at 636-239-4871 or by clicking here.