Experienced Instructors

We are very proud that on average our instructors have over 13 years of experience each in the martial arts and several have 20 years or more. They are all personal students of Kyoshi Polander and train with Taika Oyata often. Beacuse our instructors still see themselves as students too, they are always striving to learn and become better teachers and people.

Renshi Niamh Cawley 6th Degree black belt Shin Shu Ho member	Niamh has studied, practiced and taught martial arts for over 20 years. He started his training in 1989 in Ireland studying Shotokan Karate, eventually earning his 1st degree black belt. He started training with Kyoshi Polander in 1994 and earned his black belt in 1997. He is a consument technician and is excellent with several weapons. Niamh is very happy to share his passion for martial arts with his wife, Helen, another senior instructor here at Polander Academy. Come train with him in his Thursday class!
Renshi John Gannon 6th Degree black belt Shin Shu Ho member	John began his martial arts training in 1994 with Kyoshi Polander has been training with him ever since. He concentrates on practical techniques and using your body as efficiently and effectively as possible. Come train with him in his Tuesday class!
Renshi Helen Cawley 5th Degree black belt Shin Shu Ho member	Helen has studied, practiced and taught martial arts for over 20 years. She started her training in 1989 by studying Shotokan Karate, eventually earning her 1st degree black belt. She started training with Kyoshi Polander in 1994 and earned her black belt in 1996. Along with her husband, Niamh, Helen concetrates on proper execution of technique. Come train with her in her Thursday class!
Renshi Ivan Black 5th Degree black belt Shin Shu Ho member	Ivan has been studying and teaching martial arts for nearly 20 years. A 2nd degree black belt in Shudokan karate, Ivan believes that studying and perfecting ones footwork is key to martial arts. He often teaches martial arts history which he believes is essential in understanding how all styles relate. Along with his wife Taeko Noguchi, Ivan loves to share his passion with every student he has a chance to work with. Come train with him in his Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday classes!
Renshi Taeko Noguchi 5th Degree black belt Shin Shu Ho member	Taeko was born and raised in Japan until she came to Washington DC for college. She began her training almost as soon as she arrived, earning her 1st degree black belt in Shudokan karate. She has been training and teaching for over 13 years and continues to teach a positive and focused attitude to studying martial arts. She and her husband Ivan enjoy teaching and training together and share a class on Saturday. Come train with her in her Saturday class!
Sensei David Bush 3rd Degree black belt	David has been training with Kyoshi Polander over 10 years and earned his 3rd degree black belt in 2007. He is particularly interested in the technical aspects and depth of RyuTe and believes that with so much to learn, the training is always exciting and new. Come train with him in his Wednesday class!
Sensei Ron Silberberg 2nd Degree black belt	Ron has been practicing martial arts for over seven years and was recently awarded his 2nd degree black belt. He concentrates on building a strong foundation by the proper application stances. Come train with him in his class!
Sensei Jeff Pass 1st Degree black belt	Jeff has been studying with Kyoshi Polander for over six years earned his black belt in 2007. His passion is teaching the children's classes and he strives to make every child confident in themselves and enjoy martial arts as much as he does. Come train with him in his Wednesday class!
Sensei Gary Byala 1st Degree black belt	Gary has been studying martial arts for over seven years and earned his black belt in 2006. Come train with him in his Monday class!
Assistant Sensei Jason Zorn 1st Degree black belt	Jason began his martial arts training nearly 20 years ago as a foreign exchange student in Muenster, Germany. In 2005, he moved to the Washington, DC area and began studying with Kyoshi Polander shortly thereafter. He was recently awarded his 1st degree black belt. Come train with him in his Monday class!
Assistant Sensei Christopher Dunlap 1st Degree black belt	Christopher has been studying martial arts at the Polander Academy for five years and was recently awarded his 1st degree black belt. Christopher believes that through the study of martial arts, one can find both the physical and mental focus that they can help them in their daily life. "Studying a martial art requires focus and dedication, but the mental and physical rewards will transform you into a better person." Come train with him in his Wednesday class!
Assistant Sensei Marwan Kayat 1st Degree black belt	Marwan has been studying martial arts over eight years and was recently awarded his 1st degree black belt. He started his training as a teenager in Israel and has been training with Kyoshi Polander for nearly four years. Come train with him in his class!