Gold Star Martial Arts
Legacy Instructor Team
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.
Master Nominee Jack Cochnar
Master Nominee Cochnar is a 6th Degree Black Belt, Nationally Certified Instructor. He is currently training to earn his Mastership Title in Fall of 2021. He has multiple state titles and martial arts achievements. He has a wide-verity of ATA & weapon certifications. Outside of Gold Star Martial Arts, you may know him as the Executive Director at the Crete Chamber of Commerce.
Miss Alyssa Cochnar
Miss Cochnar is a 5th Degree Black Belt, Nationally Certified Instructor. She is a 4X World Champ, holds multiple district & state titles, as well has numerous martial arts achievements. She has a wide-verity of ATA & weapon certifications. She also currently trains in Kummooyeh, which is a sword & Korean traditional archery based martial arts.
Mrs. Suzy Cochnar
Mrs. Cochnar is a 3rd Degree Black Belt, Nationally Certified Instructor. She has multiple ATA & weapon certifications. You may see her around the Doane University campus, as she is the Admissions Visit Coordinator. She also teaches an Art Education class at Doane as well.
Dr. Mark Meysenburg, PhD
Mr. Meysenburg is a 4th Degree Black Belt, Nationally Certified Instructor. He teaches classes at Gold Star's Crete location. He has multiple state champs and weapon certifications. He has his doctorate, is a professor at Doane University, and teaches Computer Science.
Miss Valerie Cochnar
Miss V. Cochnar is a 4th Degree Black Belt, Nationally Certified Instructor. She has multiple state champs and weapon certifications. She is not only the Graphic Designer for Gold Star, but she also started her own business, Uneta Boutique, in 2020.
Mr. Michael Cochnar
Mr. M. Cochnar is a 5th Degree Black Belt, Nationally Certified Instructor. He has multiple state champs. He is Gold Star's Media Consultant and even used to work for ATA Headquarters in the Media Department. He currently lives & works in California. He has his own production company, Uneta Productions, where he loves writing screenplays and directing films. He and his wife, Jessica Alexander, also own a children's theater, Class Act Community Playhouse.
Mr. Nathan Cochnar
Mr. N. Cochnar is a 3rd Degree Black Belt Trainee Instructor. He has multiple state champs and holds a weapon certification in Gum Do. He is currently studying Computer Science at Doane University.