Susan M. Woods
Executive Director
Mrs. Woods is an acting Principal at Nixon Elementary School in Sudbury.
Mrs. Woods has previously served as the Assistant Principal of the Sam Placentino Elementary School in Holliston, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development for the Holbrook Public Schools.
Prior to these administrative roles, Mrs. Woods taught Kindergarten and Second Grade at Cabot Elementary School in Newton, MA.
Mrs. Woods holds an Associates Degree in Child Study from Mount Ida College, a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Human Development and a Master of Science in Human Development from Wheelock College. In addition, Mrs. Woods holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from American International College.
Michael H. Woods
Director & Site Coordinator
Originally from Holliston, Michael Woods graduated from Bently University with a BA in business. He currently serves the community as a Holliston Police Officer.
Grandmaster Michael Woods started his martial arts journey when he was 15 years old. He has risen to the rank of Kyudan, 9th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate and 5th Degree Black Belt in Small Circle Jujitsu. He has owned Next Generation Martial Arts for over 25 years.
He has been honored with many prestigious awards throughout his martial arts career, however, his most cherished accomplishment is teaching his students at NGMA and being a positive role model in their lives.
Grandmaster Woods provides self-defense instruction for all ages using a combination of martial arts styles and techniques to provide customized self-defense training to suit the individual.
January 2004 Inducted into the Rocky DiRico Hall of Fame
October 2004 Inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall Of Fame as The Kenpo Instructor of the Year
May 2008 Inducted into the International Karate Hall of Fame
October 2008 Earned Rank of Shodan 1st Degree Black Belt in Small Circle Jujitsu (Since been promoted to Godan 5th Degree Black Belt)
January 2013 Graduated from 18th ROC Reading Police Academy
September 2017 Student Resource Officer for Holliston Public Schools
Susan McGee
Lead Teacher
Sue McGee currently teaches 3rd grade at Miller Elementary and previously worked at Placentino as the math tutor as well as a 1st grade teacher. Before that Ms. McGee worked at the Holliston Extended Day program while completing the post-baccalaureate teacher licensure program at Framingham State University where she is also working towards a masters degree in elementary education.
Prior to her work in education, Ms.McGee worked in business finance and as a personal income tax preparer after receiving her bachelor’s of accounting degree from Cameron University in Oklahoma.
Ms. McGee moved to Holliston when she was four and attended school at Cutler, Andrews, Miller, RAMS and Holliston high school. She even attended the summer session of College Academy at Framingham State when she was 9.
After high school, Ms. McGee spent 10 years living in Oklahoma but returned to Holliston in 2003 with her two children who both went through the Holliston school system. While her children were in school Ms. McGee volunteered as a coach for soccer, basketball, and Pop Warner cheerleading as well as volunteering at HCAT.
Ms. McGee and her children joined Next Generation Martial Arts shortly after returning to Holliston and has spent many fantastic years as a part of the dojo family. She is thrilled to be a part of the next Woods Family endeavor!
Cindy Lu
Lead Teacher
Mrs. Lu (Cindy), joined NGESC at the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Prior to joining NGESC, Mrs. Lu worked in the technology and insurance fields for the better part of 26 years, (approximately 16 years for EMC/Dell in Hopkinton as a Program Manager and Training Coordinator, and then 10 years at the former Allmerica Financial in Worcester as a Customer Service Representative, a Training Coordinator and Supervisor).
Cindy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Elementary Education from Assumption University. After college and before her time in the business world she taught elementary school in Worcester for 3 years.
Mrs. Lu and her husband Steve were married in 2007 and they moved from Worcester to Holliston in 2014. Together they have 2 adopted sons from Taiwan. Mrs. Lu considers getting married, adopting her sons, spending time with family and working at NGESC to be major highlights in her life. When she is not working or spending time with family, Mrs. Lu is an avid crafter and baker.
Jennifer Lecesse
Office Manager
Mrs. Lecesse is Next Generation Martial Art's administrative assistant - but she likes to help NGESC too.
Mrs. Lecesse has many years of experience with administration, marketing, and design under her belt (which is a black belt).
She grew up in Ashland and is a Board Member at the Ashland Historical Society. She received her Bachelors Degree from Merrimack College.