Our Instructors & Staff Members

The American Taekwondo Association's Masters Council has developed a unique and intensive, cutting-edge instructor training program to insure all ATA instructors are skilled and professional teachers. Before becoming certified, ATA black belts spend two to three years as instructor trainees, during which time they are required to teach at least 300 hours under the supervision of a senior instructor. They are also required to earn certification in CPR and youth protection and attend instructor camps.

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Songahm Taekwondo and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained many of their own personal goals in Songahm Taekwondo, and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students.

Mr. Jack Cochnar  (4th Degree Black Belt Certified Chief Instructor)  Mr. Jack Cochnar is the Chief Instructor and Co- Owner of the Crete ATA Martial Arts Academy. He is an ATA Nationally Certified Instructor, as well as a National Tournament and Weapons Judge. Mr. Cochnar holds certifications for Training the Trainer, Fitness Kickboxing/Cardio Kicks, SHARPS (Sexual Harrassment and Rape Prevention), and Safety N.E.T. (No Easy Target) Kids and Bully Prevention Programs. Mr. Cochnar is also certified in various ProTech weapons. Achievements and Awards include: ATA Nebraska State Champion--Traditional Forms 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004; Sparring 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006; Traditional Weapons Form 2003, 2004. ATA National Top Ten Traditional Weapons Form Finalist 2003, 2004. Nebraska Cornhusker State Games Traditional Weapons Form Gold Medalist 2004, 2005. Mr. Cochnar has an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Agriculture Business & Management Technology.

Mr. Michael Cochnar  (4th Degree Black Belt Certified Instructor) Mr. Michael Cochnar is the Lead Instructor of the Crete ATA Demonstration Team (TEAM VELOCITY) and the XMA (ATA Xtreme Martial Arts) Program. Mr. Cochnar is an ATA Nationally Certified Instructor, as well as a National Tournament and Weapons Judge. Mr. Cochnar is also certified in various ProTech weapons. Achievements and Awards include: ATA Nebraska State Champion--Traditional Forms 2003, 2005; Sparring 2003, 2007; Traditional Weapons Form 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007. Nebraska Cornhusker State Games Traditional Weapons Form Gold Medalist 2004, Silver Medalist 2005, Bronze Medalist 2006. Crete ATA Student Workhorse Award, Dec. 2005. Crete ATA Athlete of the Year 2004, 2005, 2006. Crete ATA Instructor Excellence Award 2006, 2007, 2008. Mr. Cochnar is currently attending Doane College in Crete, NE, and is pursuing his interests of singing, theatre, and film-making.

Mrs. Suzy Cochnar  (3rd Degree Black Belt Certified Instructor)  Mrs. Suzy Cochnar is the Program Director, Office Manager, and Co-owner of the Crete ATA Martial Arts Academy. She is the Lead Instructor of the Tiny Tigers Program, and is an ATA Nationally Certified Instructor and Judge. Mrs. Cochnar is also certified in ATA Tai Chi, SHARPS (Sexual Harrassment and Rape Prevention), and Safety N.E.T. (No Easy Targets) Kids and Bully Prevention Programs. Mrs. Cochnar has a Masters Degree in Education and taught middle level students in Lincoln Public Schools for 19 years. She is currently the Coordinator for Admission Visit Programs at Doane College in Crete, NE.

Mr. Mark Meysenburg  (3rd Degree Black Belt Certified Instructor) Mr. Mark Meysenburg is an ATA Nationally Certified Instructor who is a member of the Academy's Leadership Team and Crete ATA's Demonstration Team (TEAM VELOCITY). He also instructs and assists with various classes. Achievements and Awards include: ATA Nebraska State Champion--Traditional Weapons Form 2006. Crete ATA Student Workhorse Award Feb. 2005, July 2006. Crete ATA Instructor Excellence Award 2006, 2007, 2008. Mr. Meysenburg has a Master's and Ph.D. in Computer Science. He teaches Computer Science at Doane College, a four-year liberal arts college in Crete.

Mr. Shawn Dewey  (1st Degree Black Belt Speciality Certified Trainee Instructor) Mr. Shawn Dewey is a Certified Trainee Instructor who is a member of the Academy's Leadership Team and Crete ATA's Demonstration Team (TEAM VELOCITY). He also assists with various classes. Achievements and Awards include: Crete ATA Workhorse Award 2006. Crete ATA Leadership Award 2007. Crete ATA Ambassador Award 2007. Crete ATA Instructor Excellence Award 2008.

For more information about the Crete ATA Martial Arts Academy staff or training programs, please contact us at 402-826-4555 or by clicking here.