Directors

Executive Director Michelle Mourek Brown, M.A.

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a specialization in Language Arts,
Masters in Arts Special Education with a specialization in Severe Affective Needs,
Credentialed Teacher K-12
Doctoral Program: EdD in Educational Leadership with Administrative Credential
Founder of Educational EDGE tutoring services
Character Education Certification
Crisis Prevention and Intervention Certification
Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do/Wado Ryu

Michelle Brown, originally from Illinois, received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in Language Arts from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa in 1992. She received her Masters Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Severe Affective Needs in 1993 at the University of Northern Colorado while living in Boulder, Colorado. Michelle began her career as a teacher for Youth Benefits Placement Agency, a service providing protection for abused, neglected and runaway children. She instructed English, Math and Lifeskills to students with emotional disabilities ranging in age from 11-18 years old. She moved on to teach as a Special Educator in Edgewater, Colorado where she determined vocational plans, taught 9th grade Government and 9th-12th grade Algebra, while adapting the curriculum to meet students’ needs. She also served as the director of the urban art program for at-risk teenagers.

Michelle volunteered in London, England for the Oxford House Arts and Education Department and taught Somalian refugees and African/Bengali immigrants, created units for British infant and junior schools, directed art and history projects in regular and special needs schools, and published and displayed work of local artists and poets.

Michelle Brown was a teacher for the La Jolla Learning Institute, a non-public secondary school (grades 6-12) in San Diego. She developed assessment tools, instructional strategies, enrichment activities and behavioral goals. Following this, she was the SED (Severe Emotionally Disabled) Day Class teacher at Del Dios Middle School in Escondido where she provided ability-appropriate curriculum, interactive programs to improve social/emotional skills, and daily counseling and behavior management.

Michelle founded the Educational EDGE (Eliminating Detrimental Gaps in Education) academic tutoring facility in affiliation with the International Institute of Martial Arts. The combination of martial arts, academics, and enrichment, launched the beginning of IIMA KidFit USA.
 

Sensei Jeff Brown, San Diego Regional Director

Founder of International Institute of Martial Arts, Inc.
Founder of International Fitness Center
Krav Maga licensed instructor
Crisis Prevention and Intervention Instructor
IMAC and ISKA World Title Holder,
Inducted into five Martial Arts Hall of Fames for exceptional coaching and teaching ability and initiative of martial arts after school programs,
Featured on ESPN’s ISKA tournament
Coach for over 100 IMAC World Title holding martial artists since 1989
Middle and High School Math teacher for students with emotional and behavioral needs

Jeff Brown is the co-founder of IIMA KidFit USA and founder of the International Institute of Martial Arts, Inc. He is originally from Toronto, Canada where he began his martial arts training. Jeff Brown turned his passion for martial arts into his business at the age of eighteen when he opened The International Institute of Martial Arts in Escondido, CA. The first studio had thirteen students. IIMA Karate is now located in San Marcos, CA and has trained thousands of students throughout North County San Diego. It is recognized nationally for its 20,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility and for training world, national and local champions. IIMA specializes in the instruction of Wado Ryu, Tae Kwon Do, JiuJitsu, Krav Maga, Kickboxing and Aikido.

Jeff Brown was inducted into the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Atlantic City for his instructional abilities, the Masters Martial Arts Hall of Fame for his exceptional contribution to the martial arts through his integration of martial arts in after-school programs, and the IMAC Martial Arts Hall of Fame for training his World Champion Team of students.

Jeff Brown believes in encouraging students to be the best they can be both physically and intellectually. He believes if students make good choices in life, and push beyond their limitations, they will succeed.

Judy Vanderlyke: Programming and Scheduling Supervisor

Program Director, International Institute of Martial Arts
Manager, International Fitness Center
2nd Degree Black Belt