About Great Start Karate
More Than Kicks and Punches. We’re Building Strong Kids.
Great Start Karate was founded in 2021 by Jan Stockton, a 3rd-Degree Black Belt with a single mission: to use karate as a vehicle to build confidence, character, and focus in children everywhere. With flexible scheduling and unlimited live classes, children can train at a pace that feels right for them, supported by instructors who know, encourage, and celebrate them.
From a Local Dojo to a Global Community
With over 36 years of experience, Jan Stockton has dedicated her life to teaching children. She co-founded the highly successful Karate West in Washington in 1989, creating a community known for its focus on character development.
Inspired by the teachings of her own sensei, Hanshi Morris L. Mack, Jan saw an opportunity to bring her proven, youth-focused curriculum online. Great Start Karate was born, creating a live, interactive dojo for students around the world who needed a supportive and flexible way to train.
Today, we are a vibrant online community serving families across the United States, Canada, and beyond.
Our Philosophy: Karate is the Vehicle, Not the Destination
We believe the most important lessons learned in the dojo extend far beyond physical skill. Through guided, skill-based practice, children build steady confidence and begin to see what they are capable of.
At Great Start Karate, we blend the precision and tradition of Japanese Shudokan Karate with the dynamic movement of Korean Taekwondo. This combination develops strong technique, engaging movement, and meaningful character growth. Above all, our classes are designed to be purposeful and enjoyable, a setting where each child feels supported, motivated, and capable of progress.
Our program is built on a philosophy of physical education with a purpose. Through intentionally designed, skill-based movement, children of all learning styles develop confidence, character, and a lasting readiness to learn that extends far beyond the dojo.
Meet Our Instructors
Our instructors are the heart of our dojo. They are not only expert martial artists but also passionate educators who know how to make learning fun.
Sensei Jan Stockton
Founder
A 3rd-Degree Black Belt in Shudokan Karate-Do with 36+ years of experience, Jan’s teaching philosophy centers on building a child’s confidence through encouragement and structure. Jan is a mom of two adult black-belt daughters, who continue to inspire her belief in the power of strong role models and supportive teaching.
Sensei Katie Randol
Head Instructor
A 2nd-Degree Black Belt in World Taekwondo and a homeschool educator, Katie understands how children learn in supportive, real-world environments. A multi-time Grand Champion competitor, she is known for her encouraging teaching style, clear guidance, and ability to bring out the best in every student.
Shihan Molly
Mascot
Our beloved lionhead bunny, Shihan Molly, often joins classes and special events to bring smiles to our students’ faces. She offers playful encouragement and reminders that courage, focus, and kindness can be learned in joyful ways.
Why Families Choose GSK
A Perfect Fit for Homeschoolers Needing PE
We are a great option for at-home learners seeking a structured online PE program. Our unlimited live classes support learning flexibility and combine physical activity with character development, confidence, and community.
An Inclusive Environment for Every Learner
Our program is intentionally designed to support all learners, whether your child is shy, energetic, independent, advanced, or neurodivergent. Every child is met where they are, with patient coaching, encouragement, and the time they need to grow at their own pace.
What if physical education could teach your child how to learn?
PE With a Purpose challenges the traditional view of physical education, offering homeschool families a research-informed approach to movement that builds learning, confidence, and character. Written for parents and educators, it explains how intentional physical education, through guided and repeatable skill-building movement, strengthens focus, emotional regulation, perseverance, and self-confidence, with benefits that carry into academics and everyday life.