Master Carol DeGroff-Van Zile, VIII Dan, is the Master Instructor and owner of Great Lakes Global TaeKwon-Do in Sylvania, Ohio. With more than 40 years of teaching experience, she has dedicated her career to the development of Taekwon-Do students, instructors, coaches, and competitors.
Master Van Zile earned her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toledo, with a background in Child Growth and Development, Athletic Training, and Physical Education. Her education and extensive teaching experience have played an important role in shaping her approach to Taekwon-Do instruction.
As a senior Taekwon-Do instructor and educator, Master Van Zile specializes in developing effective teaching methods and adapting instruction to different learning styles. She regularly conducts seminars for instructors and students covering teaching methodology, tournament organization, competitor coaching, sparring, breaking, and women's Taekwon-Do.
Master Van Zile is an ITF International Instructor and International Umpire and has been actively involved in the development and administration of Taekwon-Do at the state, national, and international levels. She serves as the US-ITF Ohio State Director and is a member of the US-ITF Promotion Committee, contributing to the evaluation and advancement of practitioners seeking higher degrees within the organization.
Her commitment to developing competitors has also produced outstanding results. Master Van Zile has developed students and teams that have competed successfully at the international level, including students who have earned medals at the ITF World Championships.
Master Van Zile has also played an important role in developing future instructors. She conducts specialized instructor-development seminars designed to help teachers understand how students learn and how to effectively communicate Taekwon-Do techniques and concepts.
Her expertise in tournament organization and coaching is another important part of her contribution to Taekwon-Do. She teaches instructors and competitors how to organize tournaments, manage brackets, solve common tournament problems, communicate effectively between coach and athlete, and navigate modern competition formats.
Master Van Zile has also developed specialized programs for women in Taekwon-Do, addressing differences in physical structure and helping female practitioners adapt techniques and training methods to maximize their individual strengths and abilities.
In 2025, Master Van Zile was promoted to 8th-degree black belt, further recognizing her decades of dedication and contribution to Taekwon-Do.
Today, Master Van Zile continues to teach and develop students at Great Lakes Global TaeKwon-Do while serving the US-ITF through promotion, instruction, coaching, tournament organization, seminars, and leadership. Her career reflects a commitment not only to the technical development of Taekwon-Do, but also to developing the instructors, coaches, and practitioners who will carry the art forward.
Master Van Zile earned her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toledo, with a background in Child Growth and Development, Athletic Training, and Physical Education. Her education and extensive teaching experience have played an important role in shaping her approach to Taekwon-Do instruction.
As a senior Taekwon-Do instructor and educator, Master Van Zile specializes in developing effective teaching methods and adapting instruction to different learning styles. She regularly conducts seminars for instructors and students covering teaching methodology, tournament organization, competitor coaching, sparring, breaking, and women's Taekwon-Do.
Master Van Zile is an ITF International Instructor and International Umpire and has been actively involved in the development and administration of Taekwon-Do at the state, national, and international levels. She serves as the US-ITF Ohio State Director and is a member of the US-ITF Promotion Committee, contributing to the evaluation and advancement of practitioners seeking higher degrees within the organization.
Her commitment to developing competitors has also produced outstanding results. Master Van Zile has developed students and teams that have competed successfully at the international level, including students who have earned medals at the ITF World Championships.
Master Van Zile has also played an important role in developing future instructors. She conducts specialized instructor-development seminars designed to help teachers understand how students learn and how to effectively communicate Taekwon-Do techniques and concepts.
Her expertise in tournament organization and coaching is another important part of her contribution to Taekwon-Do. She teaches instructors and competitors how to organize tournaments, manage brackets, solve common tournament problems, communicate effectively between coach and athlete, and navigate modern competition formats.
Master Van Zile has also developed specialized programs for women in Taekwon-Do, addressing differences in physical structure and helping female practitioners adapt techniques and training methods to maximize their individual strengths and abilities.
In 2025, Master Van Zile was promoted to 8th-degree black belt, further recognizing her decades of dedication and contribution to Taekwon-Do.
Today, Master Van Zile continues to teach and develop students at Great Lakes Global TaeKwon-Do while serving the US-ITF through promotion, instruction, coaching, tournament organization, seminars, and leadership. Her career reflects a commitment not only to the technical development of Taekwon-Do, but also to developing the instructors, coaches, and practitioners who will carry the art forward.