Tamar Springer Honored as Youth Instructor of the Year

Tamar Springer knows how to deliver punches and kicks, but she’s getting just as good at teaching them. A black belt in Yoshukai Karate at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center, Springer was honored as Sensei Youth Mentor Instructor of the Year by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council during the 25th anniversary Celebration and Awards Banquet earlier this month in Orlando, Florida. The WHFSC is the world’s largest gathering of Martial Arts Grandmasters worldwide.

Springer has taken several local karate kids under her wing, including 13-year-olds Lily Kinnear (St. Matthew’s) and Skylar Saltzman  (Paul Revere Middle School) and 10-year-old Michael Gatto (Canyon Elementary). Under Springer’s tutelage, Kinnear won fourh trophies at the Battle of Atlanta in June. Springer has won numerous tournaments herself, including first place in musical weapons at the Ocean State Nationals in Warwick, Rhode Island in April.