Mark Carletti, PhD – Head Instructor

Instructor Mark demonstrates Eagle form

Instructor Mark has received training from many different instructors across the country. Currently, he receives the majority of his training from Sifu Rick Wong. He had a close relationship with Sensei James Tatosky, founder of the House of Samurai Shotokan Karate, from whom he received both mental and physical training. He has had the opportunity to learn from many prominent teachers including Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, and Grand Master Pan, Qing Fu, former Instructor of the Chinese National Team, Master Nick Gracenin, and Master Sun Deyao. He has been training in martial arts for over 30 years and teaching students of all ages since 1994.

Positions Held

  • Head Instructor (2000 – Present), Davis Square Martial Arts, Somerville
  • Team Leader (2000-2002), Axsun Technologies Micro-Robot Team
  • Director (1997-2000), Tufts Engineering Project Development Center

Education – Tufts University

In 1997, Instructor Mark received a doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University. His research focused on optimizing jet mixing by inserting vortex generators at the exit of a jet nozzle. His research was funded by McDonnell Douglas with applications on the C-17 military transport plane. Before graduating, he taught two university level engineering courses (Applied Fluid Mechanics and Introduction to Experimentation).

Educational Research – Tufts University

Instructor Mark has a strong background in curriculum development and teaching techniques in math, science, and engineering for grades K-12. He had the opportunity to work in collaboration with the Education Department at Tufts University on several research studies. While at Tufts, he also directed a curriculum enhancement initiative to implement leadership, teamwork, and communication skills into the undergraduate engineering curriculum.

Karen GuttermanInstructor Karen demonstrating straight sword

Karen started her training in Kung Fu in the year 2000. She holds the rank of 2nd degree black belt and currently develops curriculum for and teaches in both the adult and kids kung fu programs.

Current and Past Positions Held

Lemberg Center for Early Childhood Education – Explorer Head Teacher: Karen was summer program director and head teacher at the Lemberg Children’s Center at Brandeis University from September 1997 until 2011. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, and a Master’s degree in Early Intervention from Wheelock College.

During her time at Lemberg, Karen’s primary focus was helping children develop their social/emotional skills. Through hands-on experience and in workshops, she trained college students in Early Childhood Education. In addition, Karen consulted with families in the areas of parenting, special education, and conflict management.

ACT Parenting Program Facilitator and Special Education Consultant: Currently Karen continues to consult in the Early Childhood Program in the areas of Special Education programming and teacher development. She has given seminars at NAEYC, National Conventions, Cambridge Childcare Resource Center, as well as for the ACT Parent’s Raising Safe Kids Program. Karen also facilitates parenting programs in the Parent’s Raising Safe Kids Program.

Jason Reed

Jason began his Kung Fu training in 2007. He holds a rank of black belt. He teaches kids classes and assists with the beginning adult program.

Peter Medeiros

Peter Medeiros teaches college composition, research writing, and kung fu – though never at the same time. He’s been at Davis Square Martial Arts since 2012. His teaching in and around Boston remains a major inspiration for much of his fiction. He received his MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College, where he is currently on the faculty. He holds the rank of black belt.

Marcus Morimoto

Marcus has been studying Kung Fu at Davis Square Martial Arts since his youth. In addition to attending courses at a local University, he also teaches in the kids program. He currently holds the rank of black belt.

Jonathan L. Scott

Jonathan started his training in Kung Fu in 1998. He holds a rank of 2nd degree black belt. Currently, Jonathan co-teaches the Tai Chi program.

Current and Past Positions Held

Instructor Jonathan currently owns and operates the Jonathan L. Scott Personal Chef Service. You can learn more about his personal chef service atwww.jlspersonalchef.com

  • Head Chef: Chef Louie’s Corporate Catering Staples Corporate office Framingham, MA. Responsible for managing 30 employees and feeding 2,300 people daily.
  • Day Sous-Chef: #9 Park, Boston Mass.
  • Head Chef: Francesci’s, Fisherman’s Warf, San Francisco CA

Education

Cambridge School of Culinary Arts

Interests

Martial Arts. Sharing good food and times with friends and family. Playing guitar and going to the beach.

Geoff Ward

Geoff started his training in Tai Chi and Kung Fu in 1993. He holds the rank of 2nd degree black belt. Currently, he co-teaches the adult beginning Tai Chi program with Instructor Mark.

Current and Past Positions Held

Geoff was a partner in a Boston-based money management firm from 1983 to 1997. Since then, he has been and continues to be partner in several entrepreneurial ventures, as well as working as an independent web designer and a financial planner/consultant.

Education

BA in Economics and Math at University of Colorado, Boulder, and graduate work in economics at MIT.

Interests

Exploring human growth and development, philosophy, religion, technology, economics, arts, socializing