Our Instructors

Master James Franklin, Certified 4th degree black belt

Birthday: August 8th
Born: Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Drawing, Motorcycles, Quality Family Time, Coaching, Traveling, and Training.

Master. James Franklin, owner and instructor at the Coon Rapids Dojang, grew up in a military household all over the world. As an "army brat" he got to sample martial arts in different parts of the world - Japan , Kentucky and Germany . In 1994, he watched a demonstration at a mall in Mankato, Minnesota and a week later he was in uniform and hooked for life.

For more than a decade he has trained himself to be the best role model he can be. This helps him teach martial arts and discipline while letting his personality shine to promote a friendly, family atmosphere at his school. Master Franklin believes in teaching enjoyable, high energy classes and goes the extra mile to make his students and their families welcome at his dojang. Come and see how his classes stand out from the rest and why so many people are training at the World Taekwondo Academy!

• CPR Certified
• Level 2 National Security Alliance Kid-Safe Agent
• National Level Athlete
• 2008 Nationals Champion
• 2005 National Champion
• 2004 WTA Instructor of the Year
• 2004 MN Lightweight State Champion
• 2003 MN Lightweight State Champion
• U.S. Nationals Quarterfinalist
• 2002 Puerto Rico Open Gold Medalist
• 2002 MN State Championships Gold Medalist
• 2001 MN State Championships Silver Medalist
• 2000 MN State Championships Silver Medalist
• 1999 U.S. Nationals Bronze Medalist Forms
• 1999 MN State Championships Gold Medalist
• 1998 MN State Championships Silver Medalist
• 1997 MN State Championships Gold Medalist

Kelly Harrington – Instructor – 2^nd Degree Black Belt

Ms. Harrington is a Certified 2nd Dan Blackbelt. She has studied Taekwondo under Grand Master Byung Yul Lee, Master Eui Lee, and Master James Franklin for sixteen years, and has been teaching for ten years.

She shares her passion for fitness and knowledge of Taekwondo with students of all ages, belt ranks, and fitness levels. Ms. Harrington believes that the Tenets of Taekwondo, applied to all areas of life, will enable success.   

Kyla Jennifer Millington – Assistant Instructor – 2^nd Degree Black Belt

Birthday: January 25, 1993

Born:  Coon Rapids, Minnesota

Hobbies: Taekwondo, Reading, Creating Video Spoofs on youtube.   

Ms. Millington has been training at the World Taekwondo Academy since September of 2001. Ms. Kyla recieved her 1st degree black belt in 2005 and got her 2nd degree in December of 2007. Ms. Kyla joined the competition team in 2002 at the age of 9 and was promoted to Peak Performance Team in 2006. She has competed both locally and Nationally. In January of 2008, she competed in the Team Trials for the World Jr Champion Team. Ms. Kyla has been on the Coon Rapids Leadership Team and assisting with classes since the age of 11 years old. She is very passionate about Taekwondo and enjoys sharing it with others.

• 2008 Des Moines National Qualifier Sparring Gold Medalist

• 2008 World Jr Championships Open 3rd

• 2007 Regional Bronze Medalist Sparring

• 2007 Regional Gold Medalist Forms

• 2007 Us Open bronze Medalist sparring

• 2006 Black Belt of the Year

• 2006 Regional Bronze Medalist sparring

Other Black Belts at our Dojang

Mary Thayer – 1st Dan Black Belt

Philip Kaiser – 1st Dan Black Belt

Jeremiah Lemon – 1st Dan Black Belt

Jacob Thayer – 1st Dan Black Belt

Tim Lemon – 1st Dan Black Belt

Paul Modica - 1st Dan Black Belt

Matthew Wickstrom - 1st Dan Black Belt

Benjamin Hyunh - 1st Dan Black Belt

Cara Franklin – Probationary Black belt

Noel Schlegel – Probationary Black belt

Carol Lemon – Probationary Black belt

Jacob Johnson – Probationary Black belt