Our Philosophy

CONFIDENCE. STRENGTH. STREET SMARTS.

As members of the AJKA-I, Bucks County Karate School teaches traditional JKA Shotokan Karate. We offer classes for adults and children ages 5 and up. Parents and their children ages 8 and up have the opportunity to experience their karate journey together as they take class together. Our Dragon Warriorz classes for ages 5 -8 are based on Traditional JKA Shotokan Karate techniques, but are presented as developmentally appropriate tasks that will build the child’s self esteem.

INSTRUCTORS

SENSEI Stacy Pursell Jr. 4th Dan

Pursell Sensei has been training in karate for over 25 years and holds a 4th degree black belt in Shotokan Karate through the AJKA-I. He is also a 1st degree black belt in Striking Shadow Kung Fu. Pursell Sensei has completed the American Japanese Karate Association International (AJKA-I) instruction training program and is a certified instructor through them. Pursell Sensei is uniquely qualified to teach young people. He was a co-youth leader at his church for many years. He is passionate about using karate as positive influence to help our youth.

SENSEI Jennefer Pursell

Jen Pursell began her journey in Martial Arts in 2002. After earning her 2nd degree black belt in ITF style TaeKwon-do, she joined Stacy and their two older sons training in Shotokan karate. In addition to teaching all ages in TaeKwon-do and Karate, Jen is also a seasoned pre-school teacher with over 10 years experience. Jen and Stacy created the popular Dragon Warriorz for ages 5-7 program at the Doylestown branch of the YMCA of Bucks County. Jen credits the success of their program to their experience in Martial Arts as well as her experience in Early Childhood Education. Making sure that all of the children in Bucks Karate programs gain confidence and self-esteem through developmentally appropriate classes is very important to Jen.

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SENSEI Rob DeAngelis 9th Dan

AJKA-I International Technical Director
Martial Arts Mastery & Lineage

With a distinguished career spanning over 42 years, Sensei Rob DeAngelis is a cornerstone of the AJKA-I (American JKA). He achieved his 9th Dan in 2025, training directly under the legendary Sensei Leslie Safar (10th Dan) of Hungary—one of the first three non-Japanese instructors to graduate from the original JKA program under Masatoshi Nakayama.
Sensei DeAngelis’ lineage traces directly back to Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate. He also spent many of his years refining his expertise under Sensei Edmond Otis (8th Dan) of New Zealand, a senior student of the historic Sensei Ray Dalke. Further diversifying his combat proficiency, Sensei DeAngelis holds a Brown Belt in Judo, training under Sensei Przemyslaw Romiszewski, coach of the Poland National Judo Team.

Global Coaching & Impact

A veteran international competitor and coach for over 20 years, Sensei DeAngelis has a proven track record of elite development, having:
• Produced over 60 Black Belts.
• Developed more than 30 National Champions and world-class athletes.
• Specialized as an international coach for sweeping and throwing techniques.
After completing the rigorous AJKA-I Instructor Training Course in 2006—a program modeled after the original 1960 JKA curriculum—he was appointed Director of the East Coast Instructor Training Program and now International Technical Director. He now ensures the standard of excellence is passed to the next generation of instructors worldwide.