We have experienced, senior level instructors leading practice, with decades of experience teaching and practicing. They also continue to learn and grown as students themselves.
They are dedicated volunteers, and pay the same dues as their students. Our instructors do not make their living through karate allowing a more pure relationship between student and instructor.
Mitch Rose, Dojo Leader, nidan (2nd degree black belt)
Mitch grew up in the Chicago area, and began practicing karate with Dominick Pizoli in 1991. He has been practicing ever since. In 1998 – 1999, Mitch practiced with Israel Shotokan while on sabbatical in Jerusalem, and became a shodan in 1998 while training there. Mitch returned to Israel in the summer of 2019 for Special Training, and was promoted to nidan. Mitch currently resides in Chicago together with his wife and six children.
John Wood, yodan (4th degree black belt)
John began practicing karate in 1999, when he was a student at Northern Illinois University. John was selected to represent the Midwest region of Shotokan Karate of America at 2007 Nisei Week karate tournament in Los Angeles, which is the oldest karate tournament in the country. He competed again at the Nisei Week karate tournament in 2026, this time in the team competition, placing 1st in the tournament with his Midwest team members. John was awarded the rank of yodan (fourth degree black belt) in 2026.
Steve Binette, sandan (3rd degree black belt)
Steve started practicing karate at the University of Chicago in 1981, working his way to ikkyu (the rank immediately below black belt). After finishing school, starting his professional career became the main focus of Steve’s life. To do so, Steve took a break from practice. 20 years later, when Steve’s son started taking martial arts lessons, Steve’s passion for practice was re-ignited. Steve looked up John Wood on the web, and started training with John in early 2005. Steve picked up right where he left off, and after only a year and a half, he earned the rank of shodan (first degree black belt). Steve was awarded the rank of nidan in June of 2008, and sandan in June of 2018.
Jeff Salkas, sandan (3rd degree black belt)
Jeff started training in karate in 1999 along with John Wood at Northern Illinois University, and quickly found himself attending as many practices as were held, and cross training on the side. After graduating with his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Jeff relocated to the Northwest suburbs and trained with the Shotokan Karate of America club in Deerfield/Palatine; he also kickboxed for two years. Jeff has been leading practices since 2001. He now resides in the Joliet area, and regularly leads practice at the Chicago dojo. Jeff earned the rank of nidan in 2012, and sandan in June of 2019.
Vincent Bowman, nidan (2nd degree black belt)
Vincent joined Shotokan Karate of America in 1989 as a student of Dominic Pizoli at the Downtown Sports Club and East Bank Club of Chicago. A pelvic hernia forced Vincent to take a break from practice from 2005 to 2015. He is now back into practice where he left off, and has one of the strongest spirits in the group. He is looking forward to continuing his journey of having karate as “a way of life”. Outside of practice, Vincent is an Industrial Designer, with a B.S. in Industrial Design from Institute of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology.
Andrew Mauer-Oats, nidan (2nd degree black belt)
Andrew began practicing karate after graduating from college, and fell in love with it. When he is not practicing karate, he is a high school teacher of math and computer science. The thing he finds most amazing about practicing with Shotokan Karate of America is the generosity of the seniors – year in and year out, always patiently offering suggestions to improve. Andrew was awarded the rank of nidan in June of 2019.