Sensei Valerie Cummings - 1st Dan Black Belt. Sensei Val is owner and Director of Thousand Islands Martial Arts. After 34 years at Black & Decker as a Repair Technician/Auditor her job was eliminated. Sensei Val got involved in the Martial Arts when her son, Jason (Sensei Cummings), joined at the age of 7. She had always been fascinated by the Martial Arts and, as a parent, she had learned a lot by just watching her son, participating in ladies self defense courses and volunteering her time to help out at the Dojo when needed. Sensei Val has Rheumatoid Arthritis and her Doctor recommended that she join Karate for the exercise so two weeks later she quit smoking and joined Karate. Since then, she knew Karate was for her. "My training has had its ups and downs but I try not to let that slow me down.", she remarked. When she wasn't training, she could always be found in the background doing something with and for the Club. In July 2001 (when the former Dojo closed due to financial hardships) she decided that the students needed a place to train and learn the benefits that Martial Arts training can provide so she got together with a few of the parents and Sensei and started T.I.M.A. Her hobbies, when time allows, include her home and gardening. Her passion is people. "My goal is to be the best that I can be and to continue my training. Being a Black Belt is just the beginning of the journey."

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