Tara Marie Smith, began training late at age 17 in American Karate from Virginia Karate Club. Tara earned her black belt at the age of 23. She Currently holds the Joe Lewis Mid Atlantic light middleweight title and has a competition record of 4 and 1. She also holds a masters degree in teaching and loves to work with children in all areas of learning be it sports or academics. Tara started working for Aim in the summer of 2001 and brags that she has the best job in the world. Tara teaches part time in the public school systems and spends the rest of her time with her husband and 3 and a half year old daughter.
Instructors Strengthens our 10 year old daughter was threatened last school year by a schoolmate w/ a knife. we asked instructor smith to go over some self defense moves geared directly towards knife attacks, and she did-THAT NIGHT! We think she is great!!
Child Enjoy Most Least Our daughter loves everything about class.
Changes I've noticed more self confidence, safety awareness, and self esteem in both of my children since beginning classes at Aim.
CommentsInstructor Smith is great. She knows all the children by name and pushes them to their capacity. My son is 6 and started the program when he was 4. Coach Smith is patient and really works with the kids to help them excel. Coach Smith makes self defense fun at the same time runs drills that helps the kids improve their techniques.
Instructors Strengths Instructor Smith has a very caring and respectful rapport with students and parents. It is difficult not to notice her passion for Karate and teaching at every lesson!
CommentsThanks AIM! We are very thankful for a program such as yours...especially for your highly qualified instructors!
RecommendationsNone
Child Enjoy Most / Least He has come to love the the art of Karate. He enjoys every lesson!
ChangesOur son displays much more self control and patience. His listening skills and ability to remain calm and seated has immensely improved over the years with AIM
CommentsMy daughter said she wanted to take Karate after seeing a demonstration. She is so small and shy (age 6) and I knew nothing about Karate but I decided to let her try it.
I cannot be anymore happy with the program that AIM offers - it has well exceeded my expectations in all areas (and I tend to be picky when it comes to things like this!). Tara Smith is an absolutely fantastic instructor. She is so good with the kids and knows how to handle a large class with a large age range. She goes over specific ways to handle situations that may come up for children. She also talks about the importance of eye contact, holding your head up, showing respect, the list could go on and on of the good solid manners/values that are being taught in addition to self-defense.
I have been amazed at the difference in my daughter since she has been taking the class. She has a lot more self confidence now and is much more "in tune" to the world around her. We wouldn't be able to do this if AIM didn't offer weekly payments so I am VERY grateful for that. It's just a wonderful program all-around and I look forward to my second child participating when she is old enough.
Instructors Strengths very patient with the children. very positive. fun but stern. good goals and getting a lot done in the short time given.
CommentsI am so grateful that we came across this program. I am a single mom struggling with finances and this program allows my son to enjoy an activity and learn self esteem and respect. my son is adhd, bi-polar and has odd. this is one of the best things he has ever done and is doing it very well. thank you!
RecommendationsI have told several people about this program. the only problem is they live in a different county, so it is a little difficult to get to.
Child Enjoy Most / Least most- breaking the boards, hitting and kicking the pads least- stretching,(which I try to explain why he has to do it).
ChangesJacob would never get up infront of anyone, and now he gets up and breaks boards and does it with confidence. he shows all his family what he has learned and shows more respect.
CommentsTara is the second AIM instructor our child has had. The first was so good that I was a little disappointed we were going to go to another instructor, but unbelievably Tara was even better than the first instructor.
My wife and I have both been school teachers, and I immediately noticed that Tara was a highly skilled educator in addition to being accomplished at karate. Tara doesn't waste time in the class, makes sure every child is attended to and receives a positive experience, and is just awesome.
The classes are sometimes larger than is optimal, but it is amazing to me how Tara is able to handle even a very large group.
I am extremely grateful to Tara Smith for delivering such excellent quality karate instruction to my son.
My younger son is not as athletic as my older son, but taking AIM karate has given him a sense of pride in his own abilities.
CommentsInstructor Smith is amazing. She keeps the large class focused and occupied. The children are totally focused on her and ready to learn. I am impressed with her professional attitude. My son has enjoyed the classes so much. He never wants to miss a class and is looking forward to progressing to the next level.
Comments Instructor Smith was a great influence on the kids in the class. She took the time to show every child the correct way a move should be preformed. She held every child's attention, not easy when the average age was around 6. GREAT JOB! will take class with her again
CommentsTara is the best, hands down of the three instructors we've has so far. She's great with the kids, they respect her, and she has total control over her class. She's great.
CommentsMy nephew is presently enrolled in Tara's class for sparring (Monday nights). She is very fun and easy going on her students.Tara is an asset to this program. I just wanted to say thanks IZZO.
Comments: Steve Mann teaches both the adult self defense class as well as the kids sparring clinic on Wednesday night with Tara Smith. They make a great teaching pair. Their love for the sport as well as their fun personalities makes learning fun. This program has really matured over the last three years. Instructor Smith and Instructor Mann really challenge the kids and help them be the best they can be. I was impressed with the recent ceremony. Tara had all the kids giving each other feedback on how they can improve. Giving feedback in a constructive manner helps children and adults in all aspects of their lives. Steve and Tara have really helped us strive to be the best we can be. They are truly role models for their students. Powhatan is lucky to have great instructors. Ex. A few of their students where upset after the last tournament because they did not win a trophy Tara and Steve gave a speech to the whole team about how Karate is about having heart and giving it 100 %. By the end of the class they made the student feel good instead of being upset about not winning a trophy. Tara and Steve rock! AIM is lucky to have them be part of their team!
Instructors Strengths Both of the above instructors show both professionalism and I have the feeling that they both LOVE what they are doing and it is their way of life. My son and I have been involved with AIM USA for the last 3.5 years, and I have to tell you each year it gets better. While Joe & I have just begun to take your sparring clinic in Powhatan, I would travel far to have Tara & Steve both train Joe. He has grown as an individual while attending Karate/Sparring. He has great admiration for Tara & Steve, which I know is their positive role in this field. Joe also realizes that they are doing this and that AIM is a non-profit organization. What can I say? They are the BEST at what they do. Also, one other thing....GREAT TEAMWORK! They work very well together and that shows in all areas.. (Bravo!)
CommentsTara & Steve are really busy, but are either of them going to teach Karate classes in addition to the Sparring Clinic (which by the way, is awesome!)? I would travel if needed. You have a great team of people working at AIM!!!
RecommendationsMore Tara & more Steve classes!
Child Enjoy Most / Least MOST LIKES: Joe & I feel that the classes teach about leadership, and that it teaches him self discipline within himself and how to care about others. LEAST LIKES: Karate class when there is no one to do Karate his size. Also, loves sparring clinic much better than the regular Karate classes
Changes Self discipline, Teamwork, self confidence (100% better, with the sparring clinic), consideration for others, trying to display himself as a positive role model for younger children. (Although, I wish his grades were better!)....Thanks for your time!
Comments: I would just like to say, that my son (whom is 13 years old) has been involved with AIM USA for 3.5 years and I CANNOT express how grateful there is a program such as yours! My son has been lucky enough to have Tara & Steve teaching sparring at AIM on site. The teamwork that they both show the kids is quite evident. I know that they must love what they do. They have encouraged my son to believe in himself and also teach a self discipline and to believe that he can protect himself regardless of the challenge.
Self Defense
