Glendale, AZ :During Teacher Appreciation Week, Arrowhead Martial Arts Academy and its students and merchants came together to honor school teachers from three different school districts--Deer Valley, Peoria and Wickenburg.

“As martial arts instructors and partners of education, we appreciate the things that the teachers do for our students,” says Master Michael Tippett. “We are a team working together to mold and shape these children’s lives for the better.”

Martial Arts is not only a self-defense system but is also an education system in life skills. Discipline, respect and character development were the key factors that the students displayed to the teachers they nominated to honor at the Academy on May 9, 2007. The students of the Arrowhead Martial Arts Academy performed their martial arts skills for their teachers demonstrating focus, discipline, respect, balance and teamwork.

After their performance, the students got a chance to “teach” their teachers some martial arts techniques of their own. Instructing them through the five discipline stances of the academy and teaching them basic tae kwon do punches and kicks, the teachers then got a chance to use their new found techniques on the kicking and punching bags at the academy. The teachers were awarded a custom certificate of appreciation and a gift bag for their tireless efforts.

Master Tippett has been involved in the local school systems throughout the years by donating needed items and doing school talks on various subjects: 20 ways to respect your teacher, Confidence, 3 Rules of Concentration, Stranger Danger or Bully Buster, and therefore, welcomed the chance to honor these teachers in a very special way. Local merchants from around the Glendale area donated gifts for the gift bags. A free 30 minute massage, facials, manicures, scented candles, free food and ice cream were a few of the many items donated to the teachers. Local merchants that joined us in honoring the teachers at 67^th Avenue Shopping Center were; Ace Hardware; Salon 67; Good Feet; Ben and Jerry’s; Taco Del Mar; Mail and More; and Oggis Restaurant. Other businesses that participated were Hennessey Chiropractic, Copper State Skin and Med Spa and Deandra Robbins Skin Care.

Master Tippett is a 5th degree black belt and has been teaching black belt excellence for over 28 years. His school is located at 20165 N. 67th Ave., in Glendale, AZ. He is available for school talks for the upcoming school year and can be reached at 623-937-9032 or arrowheadacademy@qwest.net.