Our staff’s diverse experiences have been thoughtfully integrated into the Hiruko system. Hiruko draws out the creative application of staff expertise in developing curriculum and educational programs, pedagogical practices, teaching styles, assessment methods, and community building.

Angela Booker, Curriculum and Integration Specialist, Instructor, Co-founder
Jonathan Larsen, Head Instructor
Danielle Peshkin, Instructor
Noam Steinhart, Instructor
Jorge Gabrea Tejada, Master of Instruction and Discovery, Co-founder
Natalia Gabrea Tejada, Executive Director, Instructor, Co-founder
Gilbert Tinoco, Instructor

Angela Booker

holds a 2nd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Angela spent three years working as a research assistant and community outreach coordinator for the Institute for Research on Learning (IRL), where she gained valuable experience in educational design, evaluation and community development. Following her time at IRL, she served as the Children’s Program Manager at Plugged In, a community-technology center in East Palo Alto, CA. She was responsible for program development, curriculum design and implementation. Angela holds a doctorate degree from the Stanford University’s School of Education, where she is currently a lecturer. She is also studying Qigong and Jin Shin Jyutsu, a hands-on healing art that combines a healing philosophy with techniques similar to those used in acupressure. Angela holds a B.A. in Sociology Stanford University.

Jonathan Larsen

holds two 2nd degree Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do, from the Ernie Reyes’ West Coast Association and Hiruko. He has been training since 1997, and is currently a senior at Los Altos High School. Jonathan enjoys teaching martial arts because it not only allows him to pass the art on to new students, but it also allows him to perfect his own technique.

Danielle Peshkin

was introduced to martial arts at age 6 by her step father, Wai-Kwong, and immediately fell in love with Japanese karate. Growing up, she and her family spent most evenings at Thousand Waves Martial Arts and Self Defense Center in Chicago. At Thousand Waves, Danielle learned to see martial arts as a way to illuminate the roots of violence and to cross borders; she later spent two years in Israel/Palestine, where she taught karate to girls in Dheishe Refugee Camp and in Abu Dis, East Jerusalem. After graduating from New York University in 2010, Danielle moved to California to continue her education at Mills College, and is excited to be a part of the Hiruko community.

Noam Steinhart

holds a 1st degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do from Hiruko. She has been training since 2005, and is currently starting her third year at Sonoma State University. Noam enjoys cooking, art, and loves helping people be the best they can be. She loves seeing how every Hiruko student is the change we wish to see in the world.

Jorge Gabrea Tejada

started his training in 1989 and has been teaching since 1991. He holds a 4th degree Black Belt from the Ernie Reyes’ West Coast Martial Arts Association. As a top West Coast form competitor, Jorge has dominated the men’s black belt division and has won the Grand Champion title at the 15th Annual Open Tae Kwon Do Championships in 1996. He is an alumnus of the world renowned Next Generation Demonstration Team. Jorge is passionate about alternative methods of healing and loves to focus his attention on teaching the physical, emotional, and mental healing aspects of martial arts. Jorge complements his teaching experience with Asian healing arts courses, most recently at the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, CA.

Natalia Gabrea Tejada

holds a 2nd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Natalia’s life has always been infused with competitive sports and movement including basketball, tennis, and classical ballet. She spent time at the YMCA in Palo Alto as a Healthy Lifestyles Counselor and girls and boys basketball coach. Natalia, a Stanford University graduate, is a passionate social-entrepreneur with a strong love for children. She holds a MBA from the Haas School of Management at U.C. Berkeley with a focus on social-entrepreneurship. Natalia is a Certified Qigong and Tai Chi Instructor from the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi in Santa Barbara, CA.

Gilbert Tinoco

started Martial Arts in 1996 and in 2002 started Teaching. He later achieved the level of Blackbelt in 2003 at the age of 13. In 2005 Started competing in sport karate tournaments all over the U.S for a national karate team. He also began training Tae Kwon Do during that year. In 2006 he won the World championship for the 16-17 year old sparring division. He has worked for some non- profit organizations teaching martial arts and as a mentor for young children. He has trained in many different martial arts, all over the Bay area including Shotokan Karate, Boxing, and Brazilian Jiu jitsu. His passion is teaching martial arts, Its what he loves doing. It makes him want to become better at whatever it is he's doing. He loves helping people, trying to accomplish goals. Coming to Hiruko has made his Martial arts experience so much more special. He also feels this is a great fit with his passion.

 

Photo Credits:

Philippe Cailloux
Chi Huang
Nicole Scarborough
Darren Dorrell
Gretchen Wyatt
Natalia Gabrea