World Taekwondo Academy

My sons have trained at World Taekwondo Academy for 7 years. Since they were four years old. Master Shipley, the head instructor at this location has coached them for the last 5 years. They are now 11 and 9. Each of them very different. Our youngest has severe ADHD. Master Shipley is able to get his attention and keep it during weekly two hour training sessions. This past summer he was part of a coaching staff that helped our youngest achieve a silver medal at USA Taekwondo Jr. Nationals. A tournament that draws thousands of athletes from all over the US. Master Shipley has a sense of humor and can get these young kids to do things they never imagined they could do. He truly cares about these kids and holds them accountable for their actions. He is also a very active instructor and coach who doesn’t just stand there and watch the kids, he participates! We are very grateful to Master Shipley for his deep knowledge of taekwondo and his patience to teach and coach our sons. We also participate in the after school program and our sons have attended programs at this dojang. Our sons have a great time on non school days that are held at this dojang. They have a blast! The Shipley’s make it fun and educational for the kids.

My son attended an introductory Tae Kwon Do class through Maple Grove Community center that was hosted by World Taekwondo Academy on Central Ave in Osseo. The description of the course boasted of benefits like increased self esteem, discipline and physical fitness. What a sham.
The studio was a dump. There was no room provided for kids to get dressed and ready. There was virtually no space for parents to observe the kids. The place was run-​down and dumpy.
The instructor was completely inept at motivating, challenging and teaching kids (pretty much the only population interested in Tae Kwon Do). She yelled at the kids and attempted to intimidate or punish them into listening to her (most were bored out of their minds, except one kid with a severe case of ADHD who wanted nothing more than to beat the crap out of everyone in class). Had I not been deathly afraid that she would have delivered a crushing blow to my larynx via a full roundhouse kick, I would have given her a stern talking-​to. Instead, I’ll have to seek solace in the fact that we won’t be attending classes at this dojo again.
Instead of inspired, self aware and confident, my son walked away bored and determined to never study martial arts again.
Thanks, World Taekwondo Academy… You blew it.