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Instructors of Fitness and Character Education

Kirk Farber

Kirk Farber developed FACE, a fitness and character education youth leadership program emphasizing fitness while building self-esteem and confidence for children in 2003. He currently is Executive Director of Fitness And Character Education, Inc. He has shared the FACE "youth leadership" program and Assemblies to over 50 different schools or locations while Edu-taining over 25,000 students. He truly believes that we each can make a difference!

Kirk's Career Highlights:
  • Earned seventh degree Master level in 2011
  • Earned sixth degree Master level in 2006
  • One of the top ten highest ranks in the world within Cuong Nhu Martial Arts
  • Has produced various martial arts-related materials including videos, training manuals and articles
  • Body Arts Owner (over 6000 sq. ft), a cutting edge facility with variety of classes, 1981 - 1995
  • He is an accomplished and respected speaker, leader and trainer
  • He is a graduate of the University of Florida (Mathematics/Statistics)
He uses the principles of martial arts to highlight his message and impact his audience. To view a variety of credentials and cool videos, please click here.

Joe Varady

Joe is the Northeast Director of FACE and has been teaching the program at Barkley elementary school since 2012. He began his training in Cuong Nhu in 1987 at Gettysburg College, where he where he also learned boxing. Joe has won the title of “Overall Champion” fighting with a variety of weapons (longsword, short sword and shield, rapier and dagger, etc.) in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009. 

Joe's Career Highlights:
  • Earned sixth degree Master level in 2016
  • Earned fifth degree black belt in 2011
  • Author of the award winning book The Art and Science of Staff Fighting
  • He wrote and illustrated four Cuong Nhu Training Manuals, covering the entire curriculum from White Belt to Shodan
  • Sensei Joe holds a Masters degree in Elementary Education and worked as a fifth grade teacher for 10 years.
  • 2014 Competitor of the Year from the Universal Systems of Martial Arts Organization
  • He currently spends his days raising his two children and teaching martial arts and the FACE program
  • He is a graduate of Gettysburg College (Graphic Arts)

Kim Kelly

Kim owns and operates Playful Minds LLC, providing enrichment groups to homeschool students that combine physical activity and games with building resiliency and positive coping skills. After attending her daughter's FACE graduation at Montessori Tides school, she became interested in learning how to support the program. She is one of the first DCPS counselors to implement the program, completing sessions of FACE at Seabreeze Elementary, Atlantic Beach Elementary, Jacksonville Beach Elementary, J Allen Axon and the Carver Center in Jacksonville Beach.

Kim's Career Highlights:
  • M.S., Ed.S. in Counseling and Human Systems at Florida State University
  • 10 years experience as a school counselor
  • Enjoys running and other outdoor fitness activities
  • Proud parent of two children