Mark,
I can't offer you any info on your current instructor, but just doing a brief check on Pa. ...I found Donovan Waite has a dojo right in the heart of Philly. That's about an hour from you (or less) isn't it? Were I in your shoes, I would go out of my way to go see him. He is highly well known in the aikido world and would be worthy of the drive... imho.
Best of luck in your endevors!
