Our Instructors & Staff
Adult Instructors
The adult instructor team is the back-bone of our program. They support the Master Instructor Brad Fantle in class and ensure we can teach a larger group of students without jeopardizing the quality and tradition of our Tiger Rock Martial Art system. The instructors that assist are required to know all teaching material up to their level, go through a full background check, perform quarterly reevaluations and are certified in CPR/First Aid.
Several of our adult Instructor Team have entered our apprenticeship program and will have their own Tiger Rock Martial Arts academy in the future.
Brad Fantle
I was born and raised in Clearwater, FL. After graduating Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, FL, I decided it was time to get out of Florida for a little while. So I made a big change and attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL.
My Taekwondo training started in June of 1993 under Grandmaster James Bailey while working on my degree in Sports Fitness Management.
Once I graduated from college, Grandmaster Bailey and I decided to open up an academy in Tallahassee, FL
We opened the academy in September of 1999 and since then I have opened up two more academies. One has been passed down to one of my student instructors, and the other in a nearby community has been passed on to one of my cherished long-time Taekwondo friends.
Today, my original academy services over 250 members and I am enjoying a reputation of professionalism and of having high standards. As an integral part of the Tallahassee community, Tiger-Rock Martial Arts donates much time to the local elementary schools, churches and charities. Partnering with local businesses, schools and charities has become a huge component of our operations.
I am blessed to have found my partner, best friend and wife, Lauren, while living here in Tallahassee. We will have been married 9 years this October. I am privileged to be father of two awesome boys.
Zach Glickson
I'm a 4th degree black belt and have trained under Mr. Fantle since August 2002. I'm a Level 4 instructor, and a full time business apprentice at Tiger-Rock Martial Arts. I love coming in to work every day! My job is exciting and fun because I get to learn new material, learn how to run a successful business and teach the students all while having a great time. I also love seeing children of all ages become more confident, disciplined, focused and more eager to learn new things both in and out of taekwondo. Seeing the physical benefits for adults is rewarding as well. I have a passion for teaching martial arts. I always have, and I always will!
Maureen Castaño
I am a tax accountant and mother of four. I started bringing my children to Tallahassee TKD in the fall of 2009. After watching them for a couple of weeks, I realized that there was no reason I shouldn't be out there having fun with them. I enjoy the time out on the TKD floor, and the time we get to spend practicing at home. Becoming an instructor has taught me patience, understanding, and has made me a better TKD student.
John Cornelison
John is an archeologist for the National Park Service. He works all over the US and is a battlefield expert. His hobby is raising bonsai trees. He is married and has two children, Katherine and Nathan.
Kari Crowder
Kari came to Florida in 1979 from Minnesota when she was almost 8 years old. While growing up in Tarpon Springs, she participated in gymnastics, ballet, cheerleading, and soccer. In 1990, she moved to Tallahassee where she attended FSU. Mrs. Crowder began her teaching career at Florida State University School in 1996 teaching 6th grade science and is currently enjoying her 10th year of teaching at Swift Creek Middle School. She enjoys running, reading, and boating with her family and of course, taekwondo! Kari Crowder earned her instructor status in February of 2011 and enjoys assisting the junior taekwondo lessons.
Mike Crowder
I am a science teacher and the wrestling coach at Lincoln High School. I grew up in Louisville, KY and Naples, Florida but I have lived in Tallahassee since I entered FSU. I spend a lot of my time fishing and boating with my family. In addition to taekwondo, I also enjoy wrestling, lifting weights, old school video games, college football, and movies.
Kathy Maddox
I have enjoyed training in TKD for 16 years. What keeps me coming back is that even though I've been training for a number of years, I continuously see improvements in my TKD techniques and physical fitness. If I would have been told before I began TKD that I would be able to jump up in the air, spin, kick, AND hit a target (and at my age) I wouldn't have believed you. I earned my level 2 instructor stripe in May 2006.
My husband and I, along with another couple, have owned and managed a flooring store for the past 15 years. I have 2 wonderful sons, one graduating from high school, the other from college. In addition to TKD as a pastime, I also enjoy watching the antics of our 5 dogs and 6 cats at play. I have 5 horses, and for the past few years I have been training and competing in a horse discipline called reining.
Grayce S. Berman
I am a 3rd Degree Level 1 Black Belt, Level 4 Certified Instructor and the manager of operations at Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Tallahassee.
I started TaeKwonDo in December 2002 when my godson, Mr. Zach Glickson, encouraged me to start training. He wanted me to learn self defense and to exercise and I found that I really enjoyed training and working with him. In fact, I plan to one day help Mr. Glickson run his own taekwondo school.
I especially enjoy watching the Tiger Cubs grow and advance through the junior ranks, as well as seeing them grow and mature into our future Black Belts and instructors. As part of Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Tallahassee, I help everyone with their training goals and assist Mr. Fantle with the operations.
Junior Instructors
The Junior Instructor team assists with the daily operations in the classroom. They help line the students up, make sure they are checked in and help the adult instructor correct minor mistakes like which foot should be in front or to help tie a young student's unraveling belt. The junior instructors also act a mentor for younger children in the classroom.
A leadership role for these junior instructors allows the junior instructor to benefit also. For example, they learn confidence, poise, public speaking skills, "lead by example" skills and they learn the value of helping others attain success to name a few.
Juniors who choose to have a Tiger Rock Martial Arts franchise may enter our apprentice ship at an earlier age.
Nathan Cornelison
Nathan is an Eagle Scout and is active in both Scouting and the Leon HS band. His hobbies include logic puzzles and tending the bonsai trees. He is looking forward to getting his license and driving his great-grandmother's 1968 Chevelle.
Dylan Castaño
Dylan is a middle school student that started Taekwondo in August of 2009, just like his brother Victor. He dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. He served on the Student Council in elementary school, and earned the Presidential Citizenship Award during the 2010-11 school year.
Victor Castaño
Victor is a middle school student and started Taekwondo in August of 2009. When he is not on the Taekwondo floor training or assisting the Tiger Cubs, he enjoys art, reading and playing soccer. He is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and plays the trombone in the marching band at FSUS.
Eric Phipps
I am 9 years old and a rising 4th grader at Maclay School. I am currently a level one blue belt. I always look forward to going to my Taekwondo classes. I love teaching the Tiger cubs because they are lots of fun. Some of my other interests are: video games, fishing, shooting guns, riding my bike, reading, swimming and basketball. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan and I am also into Lego Mindstorm robots. I hope to become a black belt as soon as possible. Taekwondo has helped me be more respectful, confident, strong and flexible.
Owen Tabah
Owen is 9 years old and is a rising fourth grader at Maclay School. He is currently a Level 3 Blue Belt and has been a student at the Tiger-Rock Martial Arts since March, 2010. From the start, Owen has excelled under the guidance and leadership of Mr. Brad Fantle (Master - 6th Degree Black Belt) and Mr. Zach Glickson (Instructor - 4th Degree Black Belt). He has moved through the ranks with focus and dedication. In February, 2011 he accepted the invitation to participate in the Academy's Leadership Program and in March, 2011 went on to compete in his first tournament where he earned a Gold Medal in Board Breaking and a Spirit Medal in form and sparring (the competition was tough !!) Then, in May, 2011, he and his buddy Eric Phipps, trained and tested together to earn their Level 1 Instructor Badges. He looks forward to assisting in classes and is focused on earning his Black Belt in December, 2012.