The AKTA chaired by Grandmaster Choon Lee has produced best-of-the-best martial artists and more than 1,000 male and female black belts of all ages. Grandmaster Lee not only teaches his students best martial-art techniques, but also embraces and mentors them with the Academy's Tenets. His passion has improved students' health, confidence, self control, and respect. This enables them to excel personally and professionally. The following are a few examples of what his students, parents, and community leaders have said about Grandmaster Lee and the AKTA.
Your teaching, training and mentoring of young people, athletes and police officers is valuable, and I thank you [Grandmaster Lee] for the time and attention you have given people in their quests for self improvement.
Kay Barnes, Kansas City Mayor
We commend you [Grandmaster Lee] on your dedication to the art of Tae Kwon Do, the development of the American Korean Tae Kwon Do Association, and your help in development of self defense programs for our area police officers. Your achievements exemplify the standards our police officers strive to obtain both personally and professionally.
Ellen T. Hanson, Chief of Police, Lenexa Police Department
| As a parent, I have seen Travis demonstrate self-respect and the respect for others. He shows discipline in his martial art and the drive to be better in everything that he does and that he does not settle for just alright. Mrs. Gwendolyn Ward, Mother of Travis S. Ward, 14 years old, 2nd Dan Black Belt. |
| My name is Lisa Wells and I have three (3) children taking Tae Kwon Do at Choon Lee's Academy. My son started at age 5 and now five years later becoming a Black Belt is his proudest achievement. My daughters are 7-year-old twins and started classes at age 4. All three of my children have learned respect for others of all ages regardless of race or color. They have become stronger and more self-confident. I highly recommend Tae Kwon Do! Lisa Wells. |
| Tae Kwon Do training has been extremely helpful for my son with self-esteem and self-confidence. Mon son is an in-door kid and Tae Kwon Do enable him exercises. Grandmaster Lee is absolutely Best!!! |
| AKTA has helped my son Scotty Eells in a big way. It has impacted his life significantly that made a huge difference. My son had allergies and asthma. He no longer needs his pulmo-aid machine and has not taken steroids since 6th Grade. In addition, we discovered that he has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and a mild Autism. AKTA has really helped my son's concentration in school. Jody Eells. |
| Grandmaster Lee and Mrs. Lee have great reputation of expertise in Kansas City area. It is incredible to see the owners involved in teaching and treating each child individually. We also have become friends with other involved families, creating a magnificent support system. The Marquis Family. |
| Adam has been training at AKTA [by Grandmaster Choon Lee] for one month. He has not enjoyed other sports liked soccer, baseball, etc. It has been hard finding ways to get Adam active. Tae Kwon Do has been a huge blessing. Adam is getting fit and strong. He looks forward to each class. Adam has not missed a class since he started. Adam has improved noticeably in his focus and respect in the last month. We attribute the change to AKTA. He is much more able to stay on tasks while doing school work or chores. Adam had gotten in trouble twice in the first month of school for fighting. Since joining AKTA he has not brought home any notes. He is doing much better at respecting other kids. We look forward to a long relationship with AKTA. Brian Marincovich. |
| Grandmaster Lee has taught me that I am actually capable of doing some things that I never thought I would be able to do. Therefore, I approach other things in my life with more confidence. Ron LeBlanc. |
| This school [AKTA-Choon Lee's Academy] has helped me both physically and mentally. It has given me a better outlook on life. I like Grandmaster Lee, other instructors, and my fellow students a lot. Taking classes at this school is one of the best things I have ever done. Steve Larson. |
| My name is Amy Jordan. I started approximately 5 1/2 years ago. I am currently 2nd Degree Black Belt. My entire family enrolled at Choon Lee's Academy, including my husband and our three children. My husband has three older children who still attend this school... and now his grand children also attend the school. What I have gotten out of Tae Kwon Do is the true meaning of dedication. I am learning self control and how to keep myself safe from harm. It is reassuring that my small children can also defend themselves from harm. Grandmaster Lee has given my family a true gift...Confidence, Perseverance, and Integrity. We are definitely a Tae Kwon Do family...and we love it. Amy Jordan. |
| My son, Blake, has been member of the AKTA for several years through Choon Lee's Academy in Shawnee. The experience has been very benefiticial to him. We have noticed a boost in self confidence, increased physical stamina, awareness of respect for others and a camaraderie amongst his peers. We think his training will make a difference in his choices throughout his life. Kathy Bunner. |
| I started Tae Kwon Do training at Choon Lee's Academy in 1992 and left the Academy in 1993 to pursue professional career nationwide. After 14 years, I returned to the Academy to continue with TKD training. This is the best Dojo in the Greater Kansas City area. The Academy not only offers best training techniques, but also discipline and self-control. Grandmaster Lee and Mrs. Mary Lee take great care of all of their students, professionally and emotionally. The training has improved my health and self-confidence significantly. It is seldom to have an opportunity to learn directly from a legend likes Grandmaster Lee. Hieu Q. Vu, PE. |
| I am in my late 30s, a beginner in Master Thibodeau's class in Lawrence -- I have never participated in martial arts before now. This past year (2007) was difficult for me, and I needed some new activities in my life, so I enrolled in Tae Kwon Do class with a friend. When I started, I was thinking, simply: "Life kicked me... I'm going to kick back." Over the past few months, that attitude has been replaced with a focus on: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. Master Thibodeau is an excellent teacher who balances discipline and excellence with compassion and humor. His approach is also reflected by the Head Students and other color belts in class who help instruct us beginners. It is a welcoming place, and I look forward to every class. Elizabeth Smith. |
| I joined Tae Kwon Do with Choon Lee’s Academy in 1983 while in high school in Lawrence, KS. My early training began with the Lawrence Parks and Recreation program then continued with a small group at the Lawrence Police Department under instructor Master Ed Brunt. Initially I was interested in developing self defense skills while participating in an activity to keep physically fit. I soon realized this martial art would inspire me to keep trying harder as an individual both physically and mentally. Following graduation from high school I continued training for the next seven years while attending college and veterinary school at Kansas State University under Master Sun Yi’s instruction. Tae kwon do training provided an outlet from academics to develop martial arts skills, individual perseverance, as well as a mode to release stress. Upon graduating from veterinary school I spent several years on active duty in the U.S. Army prior to returning to the Kansas City area as a private veterinary practitioner. I’ve continued my Tae Kwon Do training with Grandmaster Choon Lee to this date. The years of training have developed a strong sense of personal confidence in both my mind and physical abilities. I feel this confidence has brought me the success I have today and will continue in the future. Master Eugene Johnson, DVM. |
| I first started training under Grandmaster Lee in the fall of 1986 while a student at the University of Kansas. He has always dedicated himself to his students over the success of his business. At the time I wondered why he would travel all the way to KU once a week to teach for the measly sum we were paying per semester. It was an extremely cheap way to study Taekwondo, and I think he has always wanted Taekwondo to be accessible to as many people as possible. He is still charging the same testing fees that I was paying 22 years ago, in 1986! At the time he would frequently ask questions concerning our parents and expressing concern that we respect our elders. He was concerned that we live a very moral life. Several years ago three of my sons expressed interest in studying Taekwondo and I began teaching them informally to see if the interest lasted. After several months of instruction I approached Grandmaster Lee to see if he would let me teach my sons, (we homeschool our children), with his help and guidance. He gave his blessing and with private lessons from Master Mary Lee we proceeded. Currently two of my sons are low brown, one a high blue, and another has decided to just start Taekwondo at the encouragement of his brothers. The youngest daughter, 3 years old, frequently asks if we are going to "ha" which she calls Taekwondo due to the kihaps. Again this demonstrates Master Lee's dedication to his students and not to the bottom dollar. Recently, at his encouragement I began teaching in my small community, Pleasant Hill, MO and he has continued to guide and instruct me in this venture as well. I am proud to be associated with Grandmaster Lee and Master Mary Lee and gladly recommend them. Daron Ruckman. |
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