Our lead instructor, Nick Kunkel, is a second-degree black belt this year. He has trained with his aunt, Master Kunkel, off and on since the age of three. While his focus is on our intermediate and advanced belts, Nick teaches a variety of classes from our newly welcomed white belts to our most advanced alumni. He also teaches our specialty classes which include weapons, fitness and acrobatics.
He enjoys traveling the world with our International Competition Team, and has even brought home a gold medal from South Korea.
Nick is passionate about continuing to learn and grow in his Taekwondo career, and especially enjoys fostering the same in his students.
Master Pam
Master Pam Resner is a 4th degree black belt in Taekwondo. She and her five children earned their 1st degree black belts in 2012. Pam and two of the kids went on to acquire their 2nd degree in 2015 and she still trains today and says that her Taekwondo journey continues to have a positive impact on her and her family.
Master Pam organizes some amazing events for all ages, but is most famous for her annual teen camp out! She is the captain of the Snapdragons ladies' performance team which gives her the opportunity to improve her technique, flex her creative muscles, and allows her to hang out with the other Taekwondo ladies.
Pam primarily teaches Beginner and Intermediate classes, and occasionally teaches a women's self-defense class.
Instructor Derek
Derek Stanley has been with the Academy of Life and Leadership Taekwondo for 6 years. While gaining his black belt he found a passion for teaching others.
For three years now Derek has instructed classes and led the Black Belt candidate program.
His favorite thing to teach is forms and loves to find new ways to teach the forms.
Instructor Frank
Instructor Frank Meacham grew up in the 70's and was fascinated by the martial arts. He began his Taekwondo training in 1995. After moving to Denver, he was fortunate enough to meet Master Barbara Kunkel. Under Master Kunkel's instruction, he received medals at the state championship in sparing and forms several times. Upon receiving his Black Belt, he began instructing at Master Kunkel's school. After a 10 year break, he returned to Taekwondo. He was welcomed back with open arms and hit the ground running to achieve his third-degree Black Belt. Instructor Frank now has the distinct privilege of operating the Citadel Mall location of Academy of Life and Leadership Taekwondo.