A quick history: In November 2002, Master Dauplaise started a journey that would impact a community in a way never seen before. As a freshly promoted first degree Black Belt, she was hired to teach martial arts at a brand-new charter school: Global Learning Charter Public School. Over the years, she developed an entire school-based dojang program for grades 5-12 that is a fully functioning World Tang Soo Do Association studio. Master Dauplaise established the Global Karate Academy (GKA) for students to continue their own process of continuously learning and improving their skills. Today, her program is an important part of the school's culture.
Years of building and growing led to a standout 2016-2017 school year. Students in the GKA entered their first Region 9 Demo competition which capped off their high school careers. That summer, GKA’s biggest student success was realized with the test and promotion of seniors Samuel Shuman and Brooke Dant as GKA’s first Black Belt candidates.
"I fully appreciate and understand that I literally get to live my passion for Tang Soo Do, by sharing it with these students. By doing so I am making an impact on their growth as young adults," said Master Dauplaise.
In March of 2016, after 20 years of training and teaching, she was invited to test for Master’s rank in the World Tang Soo Do Association (WTSDA). On July 1st, 2017, Master Dauplaise fulfilled her rank requirements through completing physical tests, and by writing and submitting her 20,000-word thesis. On March 3, 2018, at the Region 9 Championship in Hartford, Connecticut, she was promoted to the rank of 4th Degree Master by both WTSDA Grandmasters Robert E. Beaudoin and William R. Strong.
Even with this new level of mastery, she continues to seek ways to grow in her craft and share it with her students. She is most proud to be a positive influence in the New Bedford community and will continue to grow and improve her program. Master Dauplaise has shown dedication to her art and has demonstrated how gratifying it can be to build a better society through the study of Tang Soo Do.
"If the purpose of life is a life of purpose," says Master Dauplaise, "I have met that requirement."