Hatboro PA is where we call home
Emerald Karate School is proud to be located in the Hatboro Pennsylvania Community, just around the corner from the Upper Moreland Primary, Intermediate, and Middle School on Byberry Road.
Teaching discipline and self-esteem since 1995
Busabumnin Ken Smith (Mr. Ken) first discovered Emerald Karate when he was just 4 years old in 1993. His Father, Master Ken Smith had recently enrolled his young son into the school to help young Ken with his self-discipline and focus. While his son was upstairs learning the art of Tang Soo Do, Master Ken was practicing and training his skillset in the basement. His commitment and dedication to practicing the art did not go unnoticed, as it wasn’t but a few weeks before he was recruited to become a Chief Instructor at the school.
Fast forward a few years later in 2005, Master Ken Smith purchased Emerald Karate from the previous owner, and ran the school until 2019, before passing ownership down to his now Third Degree Black Belt son, Chief Instructor Ken Smith. Master Smith, now retired from teaching in the Philadelphia School District, continues to help and instruct students at the school as his son, Busabumnim Ken Smith with 27 years of training at the Emerald Karate School is both our current owner and Chief Instructor.
At Emerald Karate, we believe that each student must earn their achievements through hard work and commitment, and that’s why our motto is Always Earned, Never Given. It’s in our blood and it’s not just a belief, it’s our way of life. Awards and accolades are not just handed out to students for simply showing up. This helps to teach our students to strive for success, as well as boasting self-confidence and self-esteem as they progress through our rank structure.
Because of our core values, we also believe each student must learn at their own pace. When new students join, they will first learn the fundamentals of Tang Soo Do before ever interacting with more experienced students. The speed at which a student will progress is completely up to the student and what they are comfortable with.
