Our founders, coaches and experts are all passionate about helping every child achieve success and realize their unlimited potential. The Team creates a community of support and acts as a resource for the child and family who are integral to the success of the program.
Our founders, coaches and experts are all passionate about helping every child achieve success and realize their unlimited potential. The Team creates a community of support and acts as a resource for the child and family who are integral to the success of the program.
In 2010 Michael and Rachel Dube started a business that sought to provide a positive sporting experience for kids of all ages. They wanted to teach children the core principles of sportsmanship through fair play, self confidence, teamwork and the value of self-expression and self-worth. What started as a small group grew into partnerships in 20 Tri-State area schools running daily sports programming, hundreds of events for corporate groups and non-profit organizations, birthday parties and private coaching for thousands of children. The philosophy behind DubeZone gave a fresh perspective on teaching and developing sports skills, team play and overall physical and social development, always driven by the motto of creating strong character and strong bodies. The Dube's bring their many years of experience and success to Elite Method.
Michael Dube, co-founder and President of Elite Method, has an incredible passion for working with kids and teaching them the skills needed to be successful in life. He stresses character building as much as strength and skill building. Michael is also co-founder of DubeZone, where he served as the inspiration and master trainer to a large coaching staff. Michael is considered an expert coach for his unique ability to connect with and transform every child with whom he works. His energy and enthusiasm is infectious, and he spreads his positive message through volunteerism, motivational speaking, and the charity he co-founded, Sharing Seats, which has given away thousands of event and sporting tickets to children in need. "Coach Mike," as he is affectionately called, is an inspiration to many and is very much looking forward to continuing his passion in helping kids through the development of Elite Method.
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you'll land among the stars.
Rachel Dube, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Elite Method, has more than nine years of experience working in the child-development market through her first business, Dubezone, which provides sports coaching and programming for kids. Her experience of intimately working with thousands of children and families has been the inspiration to create Elite Method. Rachel saw the need for more intensive and customized programming that focused on the "whole" child, including physical, social, and emotional needs. Rachel brings her many years of career experience in business development, marketing, and programming to the development of Elite Method. She is also very involved in her community having served as the Jewish Community Liaison to Englewood Hospital for more than five years. She is the mother to two wonderful children ages 12 and 15 and is the wife of co-founder Michael Dube.
Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.
Rebecca Jesin, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Elite Method, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company. As a mother of three young children, she feels passionately about giving children every opportunity to succeed. Rebecca has more than nine years experience working with children and developing child programming. She is currently the Business Manager of Dubezone, a program that provides sports coaching and after-school activities for kids. Rebecca brings her years of experience in business development, her creative mind, and organizational skills to the Elite Method team. Rebecca is an active part of her local community and sits on the board of her local synagogue sisterhood. In her spare time, she enjoys exercising and spending time with her family and friends.
Always chase your dreams instead of running from your fears.
Dr. Mark Louie is a licensed mental health counselor, personal trainer, and life coach, who recently completed his doctorate in Exercise Physiology at Teacher College, Columbia University.
Mark has over 4 years of experience supporting youth and adolescents through a variety of mental barriers and challenging phases. In addition to this experience, Mark has a passion for sports psychology and helping youth improve mental clarity, performance and mood through sports and physical activity. Through his research and professional experience, using a combination of physical activity and social skills building. mark aims to empower young people so they can accomplish their goals, and improve their mental and physical confidence.
Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.
Glenn Maida earned his B.S. degree in Communications from the University of New Haven. He is an educator, coach, personal trainer and photographer with over 15 years experience working with children and adolescents. Glenn has taught enrichment programs in a variety of districts in NJ and NY and currently teaches students with special needs at an alternative high school in Paramus.
"Seeing improvement, growth and confidence in my students week after week is what drives me to deliver my best each day. I strive to instill a sense of self confidence and awareness when coaching, and believe that every child has an innate ability to achieve their best when they realize their success lies within themselves and just need some help to see it."
I strive to instill a sense of self confidence and awareness when coaching.
Coach Mitchell is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and multi-sports coach for children of all ages. He has many years experience as an ice hockey coach and specializes in developing children into young athletes. Coach Mitchell has a strong background in strengthening both mechanical and technical skills with all his clients. Mitchell played both intramural football and baseball on the collegiate level. He has also taught Physical Education in private schools throughout North Jersey. Coach Mitchell believes that physical activity and fitness have always been and continue to be a guiding light in his life. His is so grateful to be able to share that with all his clients.
It's never too early or too late to work towards being the healthiest you.
Curtis Moses is a multi sport coach and tutor from New York City. He first began mentoring youth while studying Sociology and Psychology at St. John's University and has over 9 years of experience working with children of all ages. Coach Curtis, currently works as a sports writer and is an avid athlete who loves to follow all sports. Curtis's favorite sport to teach is basketball. Curtis has proven himself to be especially talented in helping children develop stronger basketball skills and confidence on the court.
Positivity and practice go hand-in-hand.
Dr. Walter Hidalgo is an educator, sports coach and life coach. He has a Master's of Arts in Sociology from Columbia University and a Doctorate from New York Theological Seminary. Coach Walter has spent 10 years running youth after school programming around New York City. He played football at Northeastern University and semi-pro with the Boston Bandits. Coach Walter also holds a second degree black belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate. Coach Walter believes that teaching children meditation techniques and mindfulness strategies are critical to a calmer and more peaceful child.
Never underestimate your strength, never overestimate your weaknesses.
Dawson Emrich earned his Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Fort Lewis College. Since graduating from Fort Lewis, Dawson has earned his K-12 teaching credentials in Physical Education and is currently teaching at a school in Queens. Coach Dawson is passionate about sports and exercise and has a vast knowledge of what it takes to become a successful person in and outside of athletics. Dawson has 10 years of alpine ski instruction and soccer coaching experience and was a member of the FLC soccer team that won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2011. Dawson believes real success comes when balancing social, mental, and physical aspects of life.
Fun is just another word for learning.
Steve Meehan received a degree in Management Psychology from Gettysburg College. Steve has been coaching kids in sports for over a decade. He's coached in basketball camps in Philadelphia and Los Angeles including the Kobe Bryant Basketball Academy. He also coaches tennis and basketball and has run children's programs in all types of sports including soccer and flag football.As a former college athlete and current sports coach and performer, Steve comprehensively understands the power in trusting your body and leading with your heart. From working with children, teens, and adults, Steve knows the importance of acknowledging who you are now and believing in where you can go next.
If we listen to ourselves better and become more curious in the world around us, we can begin to pursue our fun in everything we do.
Mick Hazen received his B.A. in Psychology from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He is a multi-sport coach and academic tutor, who began his coaching career at 14 years old when he helped run a tennis clinic for children with special needs. Mick has coached children of all ages in an array of sports including basketball, soccer, football and tennis. Growing up, Mick played nearly every sport imaginable, competed at the national level in both tennis and golf, played varsity basketball, and worked professionally as an actor in film, television and theater. Although juggling his academics, professional acting career, and competitive sports schedule was difficult, it instilled in him a sense of discipline, the importance of leading a well balanced life, and the positive developmental impact of exposing a child to athletics and the arts in addition to their standard schooling. Mick attributes much of who he is today to the passionate teachers and coaches he had the privilege of learning from growing up, and strives to make the same positive impact on the children he works with.
Don't give up, the beginning is always the hardest.
Nicholas Joannides is a child development specialist and multi-sport coach. A New York City native Nicholas Started mentoring the youth at Riverside Church when he was fifteen. It was there he picked up some of the essential tools that would eventually lead him to a degree in Speech and Language Pathology with a focus on early childhood education. “I have always been interested in how children learn. Their minds are constantly workshopping problems and I have become fascinated by how they eventually solve these problems. Aiding in the development of a child has always been a very rewarding experience for me.”
Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.
Manny Navedo graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Sports Management. He has had a lifelong passion for sports and continues that today by spreading his love for the game of basketball as Head Coach of the P723X basketball team. Manny is known for his ability to bring out the best in his players, through tough love and positive reinforcement. Manny's favorite sports to teach are basketball, baseball and football. He also was apart of an undefeated state championship wrestling team as a Senior in High School. He considers himself to be a student of many more sports and is consistently learning new things everyday to increase his coaching knowledge.
Coach Manny works as a vocational counselor at a non-profit organization. Coach Manny enjoys giving back to his community and helping youth reach beyond their limitations to become self-sufficient, confident individuals. Coach Manny is a firm believer that it is never too early to start implementing activities and sports in order to build perseverance and confidence. This will grow more leaders that the world needs.
If there is no struggle there is no progress.
Youn Lindo is a multi-sport coach and music producer from Westchester County, New York who graduated from Westchester College with a degree in Communication Media Arts.Coach Youn has been teaching sports for over 12 years and has worked with children of every age group. His father, having owned a sports facility, educated and trained him on the importance of sports, both in the mental and physical aspects of the game. During this time, Coach Youn acquired the necessary skills to encourage growth and development and effect change in the lives of his many students. Coach Youn has been playing baseball since he was 7 years old. He believes the disciplines and lessons learned through sports, remain with you and are key to a successful life. He encourages self confidence by changing the perception of failures from negative to positive. Coach Youn is most fulfilled when he sees the evidence of self love and confidence demonstrated by those he has mentored.
Our reaction to a situation literally has the power to change the situation itself.
Conor Dorney is a Graduate student at Mercy College studying to be a School Counselor. He received his Bachelor's in Psychology from SUNY Buffalo. Conor also works as a College Admissions Counselor at St. Joseph's College. Conor has many years of experience coaching children through CYO basketball and youth lacrosse. He has also volunteered at summer basketball and lacrosse camps. Conor was a lifeguard and pool supervisor at his town pool for 7 years. While there, he taught swimming lessons to children ages 3-12. Coach Conor's goal is to help kids build confidence and realize their full potential, all while having fun!
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
Nick Giannone has a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education and a NYS K-12 Physical Education Teaching Certification from Adelphi University. Nick has over 3 years of experience working with children of all ages. He has conducted motor development tests for toddlers as well as created and taught lesson plans to elementary, middle school, and high school students. Coach Nick also holds a personal training certification through ISSA. Coach Nick's goal is to help children develop a passion for physical activity in fun and exciting ways.
My goal is to help children develop a passion for physical activity.
Dr. Marla Baum, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a doctorate degree in School-Clinical Child Psychology from Yeshiva University-Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Dr. Baum has extensive experience conducting neuropsychological assessments, as well as therapy with children and adolescents along with their families in a variety of clinical settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private settings. Dr. Baum spent three years as an adjunct clinical professor at Ferkauf, teaching assessment to graduate students and supervising their testing cases in the school’s community clinic. She currently works in private practice on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and her specialties are neuropsychological assessments of children, adolescents, and young adults ages 3-21, executive function deficits and their remediation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy for children and adolescents with attention deficits and anxiety disorders.
Children are great imitators, so give them something great to imitate.
Allison Mell holds a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Hunter College. She has extensive experience working with the pediatric population through Early Intervention, sensory gyms, school, and home environments. She has worked closely with infants through middle-schoolers, specializing in treating children with low muscle tone, torticollis, stroke, Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and general gross motor delays. Allison is passionate about childhood development and believes that movement is a key component to a child’s health, attention span, and self-esteem. She is confident that when given the right tools, children can break through limitless boundaries. “There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs” is a quote she embraces both literally and figuratively. Allison is a co-founder of Tots on Target, a company with a mission to foster the natural developmental process in the areas of physical movement, sensory integration, and fine motor skills to build the foundation for a child’s success.
Mistakes are proof that you are trying.
Maryann Deutsch holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Misericordia University. She also holds a post-professional certificate in Pediatrics and certification in Sensory Integration, including administration and interpretation of the Sensory Integration Praxis Tests (SIPT). Maryann has worked with the pediatric population in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, sensory clinics, and home environments. She specializes in treating children with Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, general motor delays, and coordination disorders. Maryann is passionate about providing children with sensory-rich environments and experiences to facilitate motor and sensory development. She believes in viewing the child holistically, and collaborating with parents and teachers to maximize the child’s potential. Maryann is the co-founder of Tots on Target along with her business partner and friend, Allison Mell. "If you can't fly, then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward."
What we learn becomes a part of who we are.
Gitty Leiner, M.S., CCC-SLP, founder of NY SpeechTime, received her bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College in 1994, where she majored in communication sciences and disorders. In 2000, she graduated with honors from the speech-language pathology master’s degree program at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Ms. Leiner has also earned her Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech language pathology in 2001, and is ASHA certified. Her over 20 years of experience includes treating children with a variety of developmental delays/disorders. Ms. Leiner has worked extensively with disorders of articulation and language. Throughout the year, Ms. Leiner enjoys a successful speech practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Her diverse clientele includes children from the board of education, insurance-based, early intervention and private students.
Children will listen to you after they feel listened to.
