My Bio:
‘Sensei’ Alex R. Thomas, TKD-JKD  2^nd Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do
* Two years Judo, age 12-14. Washington State, 1974-1976, (where I qualified for AAU Regional Junior Olympics).
* Over 25 years in Tae Kwon Do (TKD), since July 1996, with an emphasis on teaching and Jeet Kune Do (JKD), age 34-Present. Omaha, NE
* Earned my Assistant Instructor patch at Camouflage Belt.                      * Earned my Instructor Patch while working with students ages 4 through 16.                                                                                                                            *Worked with adults in cardio-kickboxing.                                                            * Earned my 1^st degree black belt in June 1999.                                                * Earned my 2^nd degree black belt in May 2012.
* Concurrent with TKD, Three years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Three years of Boxing, One year of Kali, (aka. Escrima) Three years of Krav Maga. One year of Combat Cane. I do not have teaching rank in these styles, so I say my teaching is “informed by” these styles, not that “I teach” these styles.
* Have been involved with Teaching/Child Care, in one capacity or another, throughout my life: Starting in High School, as a babysitter. After High School, I was a nanny for one School year. I have worked at several Pre-School/Day Care facilities, I worked at Heartland Family Service, Omaha, in the Positive Parenting program for ten years and was lead staff in the “5 thru 12” room for five of those years, until May 1996,
* Have two children, boys, adult and teenager.
* My qualifications in regard to teaching ASD (Autism) and ADHD are, I have a son on the Autism spectrum and I have ADHD. So, while I have no ‘formal training’ in this aspect of teaching, I have an intimate understanding and knowledge of the situations that ASD and ADHD can present.                                                                                                                                   *Guest Instructor with the Munroe-Meyer Institute Summer Program.          *Also, I am able to make accommodations , “in the moment”, medical or otherwise, for any student, as needs arise.

To students with sensory sensitivities: If your student has difficulties with noise, I will not be a good fit. I am loud, and high energy, in a playful “Follow the Bouncing Sensei” kind of way.  Also, sometimes I’m seen as “gruff, intense, or overly blunt”. My words for it are, “Subtle like a brick through the window.”  Please know I am open to resolving any misunderstanding to everyone’s satisfaction.                                                                                                 Yours in safety, Sensei Alex.