Master Jones-

Our son, Paul (age 5), eagerly anticipates each and every class - he wishes he could come in more often. He thoroughly enjoys learning and training with each and every instructor, as well as the other students. You and all of the Masters/Instructors are excellent! You all take the time to know children and engage every one of them in each class. It's amazing how you maintain discipline, while keeping the learning sessions fun and exciting. Great job.

Thanks,
Vince Shea

MERCER ACADEMY OF MARTIAL ARTS IS A TOP SCHOOL IN MERCER COUNTY. MASTER RON JONES IS SUPERB TEACHER AND HE MAKES THIS ANCIENT ARTS EASY TO LEARN.HIS DEDICATED STAFFS ARE ALSO EXCELLANT TEACHERS. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL.

MALAYANDI RAJA M.D.

Our testimonial:

My four-year-old son was so excited about his first day of karate. When we got there, he was so hesitant that he wouldn't enter the dojo. In fact, we were home after 10 minutes of crying and coaxing. As the weeks went by, we continued to go to The Little Dragons on Saturday mornings. Miss Finola and Miss Kelly caringly convinced Nick to come in and participate. They were so great with him and really raised his confidence. They recognized that he just needed time to adjust and they gave that to him. Throughout the many months of Little Dragons, they continued to boost his confidence and skills and Nick just couldn't wait to go. They didn't only teach him the basics but they never gave up on the kid that wouldn't even enter the door. For that alone, we are truly appreciative. It makes his dad and I smile to see a kid with renewed confidence.

Thank you, The Powers Family- Jim, Lynn and Nick

Our son, Aidan (5), has been at the Mercer Academy of Martial Arts since the age of 3, when he started Little Dragons. He has now recently earned his orange belt after 2+ years of diligent study. The encouragement and positive reinforcement he receives has built his confidence and his love of martial arts. He regularly receives instruction from Masters Ron Jones and Laurie DeUmberto, proving that everyone gets the full benefit of the expertise and experience of the instructors at our dojo - not just adults or advanced belts. Every instructor gives freely of their time, talent, and knowledge, and all students are treated with equal fairness. My wife Aliah and I have seen many benefits to his study, and his discipline and focus often seem beyond that of your every day kindergartener. I have been so inspired by his progress, that I have recently taken to training in the last 4 months, and have had the thrill of testing for my orange belt along with my son.

As an adult student, I find that the flexible class schedules make it easy for me to make it to my 2 classes per week and to make up missed classes when necessary. I also enjoy training with various instructors and getting different approaches to learning and mastering martial arts techniques. The variety keeps me sharp and focused in class and excited about returning for the next session. The element that differentiates our dojo is the true sense of community with the other parents, students, and instructors that is fostered by Master Jones. I feel a sense of responsibility to do the best I can and to help and encourage my fellow students.

I look forward to many more years of training at the Mercer Academy of Martial Arts for myself, Aidan, and soon, our youngest Donovan who will be a Little Dragon next summer.

Master Jones and staff don't just teach Karate at Mercer Academy but discipline and respect for selves and others as well! Important live skills we could all use more of. My son's confidence and self-esteem have soared since starting at Mercer Academy of Martial Arts over a year ago! This is not your average "store front" watered down martial arts. This is the real McCoy! We highly recommend this school!!!

Sincerely, The Oshel Family

My daughter was very unsure about what she wanted to do as a sport. She tried softball, track, cheerleading and basketball. She didn't like any of them. Then my sister asked if my daughter could go with her son to karate class as a guest. That was 3 or 4 years ago. She has been doing karate ever since. Mercer Academy of Martial Arts is the perfect place for my child. She trains hard, learns discipline and self-defense while having fun all at the same time. Not only have the well-trained and friendly staffs given my child the confidence and self-respect she needs to succeed, they have also taught her to show respect for others. My favorite part about the academy is they have a very flexible schedule of classes with the same class being offered more than one day a week so I am not locked into a certain day. I can go when it is convenient for me to go.
Christie Toth

Mercer Academy of Martial Arts has been amazing for my children. It has given them self-confidence, taught them respect, and ultimately made them stronger and smarter individuals. With the life valued skills they have learned from Master Jones, not only with technical training, but also with his “words to live by” will continue to build character for years to come. The Self Defense part of the training is essential – from learning how to get out of a playground scuffle, to protecting and getting out of a potentially dangerous situation, his teachings are something that can be easily used if needed.

Being with the program for a number of years, we have gotten to experience many instructors and have built strong bonds with them. They are all knowledgeable and have the same goals in mind. Master Laurie DeUmberto is amazing and can motivate and see the potential in each child. Her dedication to ensuring personal growth and achieving the next level can be visualized by anyone, she has complete control and there is no doubt that a student will succeed when working with her.

Our children don’t think of Karate as just getting a Black Belt, they look at it as a lifelong commitment. Mercer Academy of Martial Arts will be part of them for years to come, and the experience has been wonderful.

Mrs. Bainbridge

As a parent, what I like most about Mercer Academy is that the children
are taught the art of karate as well as how to apply it to their
everyday life situations. The dedicated instructors take the time to
identify the strengths and weaknesses of the individual students and
are able to help the students learn how to better themselves.

Diane Rusnak

Mercer Academy of Martial Arts

What is a MENTOR: A mentor is a teacher, sponsor, counselor, and
developer of skills and intellect.

What makes a Good Mentor: A good mentor shows a desire and a
willingness to give up time to help others, maintains a positive outlook, is a good listener, and is realistic.

A good MENTOR is:

Respectful “ A good mentor treats their students with respect and
trust.

Committed “ A good mentor makes an investment of faith in the growth
of their students. They spend significant amounts of their time
promoting the careers of their students, starting the very first day they arrive at the Academy and continuing well beyond their graduation day.

Demanding “ A good mentor has high standards for themselves and their
students, constantly striving for excellence, always challenging/building self-confidence and self-esteem.

Adaptable “ A good mentor recognizes that students have different
needs and strengths, tailoring opportunities to the needs and aspirations of each and every student. They motivate every student to stand tall and no matter what adversity they face to march forward to their nextattempt.

Available “ A good mentor, despite their own busy schedule is always
accessible and approachable.

Proactive “ A good mentor does not wait for their students to
approach them with questions or problems. They address the question or
problem before it becomes problematic.

Nurturing “ A good mentor nurtures the careers of their students.
They introduce them to the right people; they are generous with credit
and praise, and they encourage especially after setbacks/mistakes.
Good mentors constructively criticize errors and recognize and praise
excellence!

Holistic “ A good mentor views the educational/instructional process
as all encompassing. An educated individual is knowledgeable about the
world around them, tolerates any and all views, they go out of their
way to better individuals, and accept nothing less than the best
possible effort!

Influential “ A good mentor practices what they preach and
have the responsibility to be a positive role model (lead by
example). They have enough experience and respect to help establish a
professional network for the student.

The Mercer Academy of Martial Arts, Masters and Instructors represent
all of these attributes. Their dedication and influential mannerism is
one we all should emulate.

Mrs. Moore

Four years ago, I checked out several karate schools in my area for my 7-year-old son. I found some that were fairly good but, with my Martial Arts background, I wanted more. I was very impressed with the Mercer Academy of Martial Arts. The instruction, discipline and attitude were exactly what I was looking for. Four years later, with 2 boys now attending, I definitely made the right choice. I travel a bit further, but it is positively worth it. They teach stuff that really works. The Instructors are well trained and really care about their students. The skills my sons are learning help them to deal with real problems happening in their everyday life, not just physical threats. I recommend this school to everyone who has an interest.

Thomas R.

Master Jones,

"I have had the opportunity to watch a few classes that you were instructing and wanted to take this opportunity to express how impressed we are with your compassion for the children. We were so taken by your soft direction of discipline and your strong and positive influence of self-esteem your sincerity and your respect for your students is overwhelming. You have definitely been an inspiration to our grandson. You have given him confidence to have a goal. We are so proud he is focusing on something that builds him as a person, both mentally and physically. Your contribution to this has been and will be a cherished gift."

"Thanks for making a difference.. Thanks for touching a life."

Respectfully, Carole & Dane (Grandparents)

Dear Master Jones,

"Brook and I have learned so much from you. We thank you very much for everything. The video we made of you teaching your class was a hit.... We both have learned so much from you and are very grateful. I learned how to protect myself by kicking. Because of you we received 100% on our project. We couldn't have done it without you! Thanks a bunch!"

Erin and Brooke

Dear Master Jones,

"... We wanted to write you to express our appreciation for the wonderful work you did with Will over the last 5 years. For me, as his dad, I always enjoyed watching your work -- requiring focus, discipline, listening, and the other positive values you always encouraged in the kids. Your approach, which combined seriousness and intensity with good-natured humor and fun, was a pleasure to watch. You have truly exceptional skills in your work with your kids - one of the best "youth coaches" I have seen in my own youth coaching efforts..... And now as a parent."

"For Will, who didn't (and still doesn't) have the intense focus of some kids, the time in your class was a chance for him to learn and practice some of the discipline and skills he would need to mature.... and we were proud of his participation. He always beamed with pride as he stepped up in training for a new test and was subsequently thrilled when he was awarded a new belt. He rose from white to yellow to orange to blue to green to purple belt."

"Again, thank you for your hard work with Will over the years. He is better in many areas of his life because of it."

Rush & Tara

To all my friends at Mercer Academy:

This is Jason Paluzzi saying hi from Johns Hopkins!

It's been awhile since I've seen any of you, so I hope you're all "keepin outta" trouble. To any students about to making the big step to college in the next few years, I'd like to tell you not to worry about it. If you just relax and go with the flow, it really will be the greatest time of your life. Just to let you know what I'm up to, Hopkins has an Olympic martial arts team that was number one in the nation, and I joined them back in September. It was definitely an experience to be a white belt again, as well as to explore a new art (they want me to rise on my toes and kick with the top of my foot for a front kick? what?). I encourage all of you to give it a shot, but I guarantee you won't benefit from it as much as training at MAMA. By the way, this team might be number one in the nation in their style, but as martial artists, I'd take you guys on my team every time.

The next time you see Master Jones or Master Irwin, please take the time to congratulate them on creating such a high quality training facility, they put more time into you guys than you might think. You should all be proud of yourselves for having such an all around control of your techniques. Well, that's pretty much it from my end. With any luck I'll be ready to work out with you guys during winter break. So "hey" to Master Jones, Master Irwin, Steve, Tracy, Connor, Cassidy, Sam, Finola, and all the other great friends I've made over the past twelve years (sorry if I left you out!). Keep working hard, I can't wait to see how much better all of you have gotten since I left. Feel free to write me! Mestophles@aol.com

Jason