Meet the FMAC Instructors
Mr. J. Sackett
Head Instructor--Montville
Shichi-Dan (7th degree black belt)
Mr. J. Sackett started his karate journey at the age of 7 years old back on November 7, 1985 at the Rockaway Karate Academy. His parents Dan and Lois Sackett brought him down to the dojo because older brother Adam was already studying and Jonathan had asked them constantly to go down and train. The two boys were always fighting at home and constantly getting into trouble together. He needed to learn to improve concentration, self control, self respect, self discipline, and above all self defense. Mr. Sackett took to Karate immediately. He tried many different activities growing up, but Karate stood above all! On December 5, 1993 at the age of 15 Mr. Sackett received the prestigious rank of Sho-Dan (1st degree black belt) from his Sensei Miss J Felenczak.
In addition to his martial arts training in Isshinryu, Mr. Sackett has also achieved his Ni-Dan (2nd degree black belt) in Ryukonkai Kobudo.
Mr. Sackett also started attending the American Budo Kai summer Karate camp back in 1987 and he has been on staff ever since 1994. Mr. Sackett became an assistant instructor with his teacher in 1994 and continued to do until he graduated from Rutgers University in 2000. He started instructing his own class in April 2001 on Wednesday nights for kids at the Rockaway Karate Academy. Six months later he started teaching the teen and adult class as well. On August 17, 2020 Mr Sackett received his current rank of Shichi-Dan (7th degree black belt). Mr. Sackett has seen many of his students under his tutelage elevated to Jr Black Belt and Sho-Dan.
In 2010 Mr. Sackett started working with his teacher to open up his own Karate Dojo. He trained with her to learn all the ins and outs of running an American Budo Kai certified dojo. Mr. Sackett spoke with his family about his dream of running his own dojo and this is when he decided to partner up with his brother Adam to make this dream a reality. On October 5, 2012 Family Martial Arts Center was opened in Parsippany, NJ helping Mr. Sackett realize his dream. Family Martial Arts Center was recognized as a certified American Budo Kai dojo on December 2, 2012 fulfilling another dream of Mr Sackett's!
In October of 2022 Family Martial Arts Center move to our brand new location in Montville.
Please stop down at the dojo to see Mr Sackett and his dream of the Family Martial Arts Center in action!
Have a question for Mr. Sackett feel free to email him at:
jsackett@familymartialartscenterllc.com
Mr. A. Sackett
Head Instructor--Scotch Plains / Fanwood
Roku-Dan (6th degree black belt)
Mr. Adam Sackett started his karate journey at the age of 10 years old back on February 11, 1984 at the Rockaway Karate Academy. His parents Dan and Lois Sackett brought him down to the dojo along with a family friend to help increase his confidence, self control, and focus. Adam fell in love immediately with the Dojo. It didn’t matter how big, fast, small, strong you were, anyone is able to train in Karate, and Adam loved that fact. Also, unlike team sports, each student received equal attention and their chance to shine and was an equal part of the Dojo team.
On June 27, 1991 at the age of 17 Mr. Sackett received the prestigious rank of Sho-Dan (1st degree black belt) from his Sensei Miss J Felenczak. On August 25, 2019 Mr. Sackett received the rank of Roku-Dan (6th degree black belt) at our karate camp.
Mr. Sackett also started attending the American Budo Kai summer Karate camp back in 1986 and was a member of the Staff for over a decade at the Camp. Mr. Sackett became an assistant instructor in 1989 and then a certified instructor in 1999. He started instructing his own class that year on Tuesday nights for kids, teens, and adults at the Kenvil Karate Academy.
Due to family and work commitments, Adam took an eight year hiatus from his karate studies, but returned in 2011 to train under his original Sensei, Miss J Felenczak. In 2011 Adam teamed with his brother Jonathan to begin their search on fulfilling their next part of their Martial Arts dream, opening their own Dojo. This dream began on October 5, 2012 with the opening of the Family Martial Arts Center in Parsippany, NJ. Mr. A. Sackett, following his own dreams opened our Scotch Plains location in 2021.
Adam has extensive training in Isshinryu Karate, Judo, and Weapons and loves to share this knowledge. His flexible and his caring teaching style have earned him many accolades.
Have a question for Mr. A Sackett feel free to drop him an email at:
Mr. S. Hopler
Senior Instructor
San-dan (3nd degree black belt)
Mr. S. Hopler started at his karate adventure at Family Martial Arts Center in December 2012. After a free trial, it immediately became the time of the week that he looked forward to the most. The challenging nature keeps the whole experience fun and fresh, as well as, informative. Learning self-defense is a concept that nowadays has become more necessary to know. Karate has also been a great teacher in other aspects. It has taught him the value of responsibility and respect. Karate has also become an enormous boost to his health, both physical and mental. Through his hard work and dedication to martial arts, he has climbed the ranks to his current rank of San-dan (3rd Degree Black belt) at our Karate Camp 2021.
In October of 2014, Mr. Hopler received the honor to help with the Wednesday Junior class. A month later, he brought his passion to the Thursday Junior class, as well. Mr. Hopler can often be found working with students on various stretches and routines before class. Mr. Hopler's enthusiasm can be found teaching classes in both our locations, as he helps shape future students.
While he enjoys various weapons training as a black belt, his favorite part of the dojo is now having the opportunity to help students learn some of the most important parts that he received from joining FMAC; he has the chance to help his fellow students learn the concepts bestowed upon him.
Have a question for Mr. S. Hopler feel free to drop him an email at:
Miss J. Mantilla
Instructor
San-dan (3nd Degree Black Belt)
Miss Mantilla began studying with Family Martial Arts Center in February 2015. She became an instructor in March 2020 and earned her current rank of San-Dan in August of 2021.
Miss Mantilla enjoys martial arts as a physical outlet but also appreciates it for its cognitive and emotional benefits. She teaches the Saturday morning class and strives to instill in her students discipline, determination, respect, and team work. She truly enjoys watching her students grow in all aspects of karate and life.
By day, Miss Mantilla is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. She uses her professional knowledge in class to make sure students are moving in ways that are safe and efficient for the body. She focuses classes on attention to detail and making sure her students understand not just the movements, but how and why they are moving. She applies karate principles to real world situations, so her students have an important understanding of self defense, self confidence, and integrity. Miss Mantilla's goal is to see the future generations of karate students achieve their greatest success in the dojo and in life.
Have a question for Miss J. Mantilla feel free to drop her an email at: jmantilla@familymartialartscenterllc.com
Mr. Aaron Sackett
San-dan (3nd Degree Black Belt)
Miss S. Sackett
San-Dan (3rd Degree Black Belt)