Assistant Instructors (Sempai's)

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Karate 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 mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students.

Francois Cartier Sempai Francois Cartier is a 4th degree blackbelt who started karate in Montreal Canada in 1966. He studied Chito-Ryu, Wado-Ryu, Kyokushinkai and Shotokan. When he moved to California, he continued training in Shotokan Karate at AMAS in 1991. He started teaching in 1997 at Daly City's Neutral Territory to kids "from endangered environments" in collaboration with the Daly City Police Department. He has also taught karate at an athletic club for a few years. He is a licensed judge by the ISKF. Sempai Cartier is known for his keen attention to detail in his teachings.

Jaime Marcal Sempai Jaime Marcal is a 1st degree blackbelt who started training karate at AMAS in 1992. He is a meticulous instructor who ensures that students learn the true meaning of martial arts while instilling discipline in them. Sempai Marcal is a kindhearted instructor who is eager to share his passion for karate.

John Fernandez Sempai John Fernandez started Shotokan Karate in 2004. His constant training and dedication earned him his 1st degree blackbelt. Aside from being a blackbelt, he is a California State certified school teacher. Sempai Fernandez' love of Karate and of teaching children are a winning combination.

For more information about the Academy of Martial Arts Shotokan staff or training programs, please contact us at (650) 878-1177 or by clicking here.