OUR FOUNDERS
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
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.
RACHEL DUBE
Rachel Dube, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Elite Method, has more than eleven years of experience working in the child-development market through her first business, DubeZone, which provided 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 16 and 19 and is the wife of co-founder Michael Dube.
REBECCA JESIN
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 four young children, she feels passionately about giving children every opportunity to succeed. Rebecca has more than ten years experience working with children and developing child programming. Rebecca brings her years of experience in business development, her creative mind, and organizational skills to the Elite Method team.
OUR COACHES
ADAM GRANT
BROOKLYN COACH
Adam Grant has an LMSW with a Masters in Social Work. He attended Fordham University for Graduate School of Social Work and serves on both the faculty of Adelphi University and York College’s Social Services Department and is a School Social Worker with the Department of Education. Adam is also a former Division I Basketball and Track & Field athlete with over 15 years of experience working with youth. Adam utilizes a strengths-based framework and approach in order to unlock the confidence within his clients. Adam believes social/emotional learning and physical enrichment activities make all the difference in teaching our youth to lead a healthy life. Adam is an avid chess player, loves nature and enjoys doing community service.
ERNEST ROSS
NEW YORK CITY COACH
Ernest Ross holds a Bachelors in Business Management from Fort Valley State University as well as Masters in Sports Management from Florida State University. Ernest has spent the last seven years teaching and coaching children from K-12 and up to college level. He has CPR/AEDA Certification as well as Coaching certification from Florida State University. Ernest is a former physical education teacher and is currently Dean of students at Democracy Prep Endurance High School. Ernest specializes in a various number of sports such as basketball, tennis, volleyball etc. Ernest philosophy working with children is to help build there confidence, teach life lessons though sports and believe in building positive relationships with children.
MICK HAZEN
NEW YORK CITY COACH
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.
MANNY NAVEDO
NEW YORK CITY COACH
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.
DR. WALTER HIDALGO
NEW YORK CITY COACH
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.
NOEL SEGARRA
NORTHERN NEW JERSEY COACH
Noel Segarra attended Kutztown University to follow his dreams of being a college athlete. He graduated with degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology, and then earned his Master’s Degree in Education Administration.Noel has been an educator and athletic coach for the past 14 years. When he is not teaching English to his students, Coach Noel coaches High School Football, Varsity Track, and serves as Assistant Coach for the Fairleigh Dickinson University Devils Women’s Basketball team. After college, Noel spent time playing Semi-Pro and Arena Football, and was invited to the 2009 NFL combine. Following a car accident that same year, coaching and working with children became his passion. Coach Noel brings years of experiences from working directly with his students and athletes.Throughout his career, Noel has made it his mission to reach his vision of guiding, assisting and witnessing the individual growth of each child he encounters. Coach Noel provides the knowledge and “tools” to help his clients gain that confidence they need to be successful in life. Coach Noel is looking forward to helping the next young person he has the opportunity to work with to accomplish their goals and continue building self-confidence. His expertise in both athletics and working with adolescents, provide great opportunities to truly impact those he works with.
GLENN MAIDA
NORTHERN NEW JERSEY COACH
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 17 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.
CHRISTIAN MONTALVO
NORTHERN NEW JERSEY AND ESSEX COUNTY COACH
Christian Montalvo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and earned specializations in Biomechanics, Strength & Conditioning and Performance Enhancement. Chris has spent the last seven years coaching children using his knowledge of Sports Science, athletic skills, mindfulness techniques and his positive mindset to focus on what children need to build self empowerment.
Chris is passionate about helping build positive members of society, as they are our world’s future leaders. His goal is to see progressive improvements in self-esteem and attitude, communication, utilization of coping skills, increasing emotional intelligence, and the application of healthy behaviors.
Coach Chris believes strongly that confidence transfers over from sports and exercise to everyday life, making coaching a very powerful tool.
SCOTT GERSON
NEW YORK CITY COACH
Scott Gerson attended Northwestern University to study Human Development and Psychological Services and is currently earning his Masters in Social Work from Columbia University with the intent to become a psychotherapist.
He has 15 years of coaching experience for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities through Special Olympics, as well as 10 years of sleepaway camp experience as both a counselor and camp director.
Scott believes having a nurturing caregiver and positive role model can shape children into compassionate and loving grown-ups!
He focuses on helping kids develop confidence, kindness, and new talents and interests. Scott loves to teach tennis but is happy to teach any sport to a kid who is willing to try!
You can find Scott spending time on the weekends skateboarding and rock climbing.
KWAKU PEPRAH
NEW YORK CITY AND BROOKLYN COACH
Kwaku Peprah attended Ohio Northern University where he earned his BS in Biological/Medical Lab Science as well as a Masters In Science in Medical Physiology from Case Western Reserve University.
Coach Kwaku has worked with children in many different capacities. His experience includes coaching track and field athletes in high school as well as working with children of all ages in sports activities to enhance them with building character, social skills, comradery, sportsmanship and discipline. He has also mentored many middle school and high school aged children through the provost scholarship program at Case Western Reserve University to help them prepare for college education and also through an after school program where he helped them develop life and professional skills as they prepared for college.
Coach Kawaku currently works as a transformational coach in the areas of emotional, mental, social, leadership, and life development.He loves working with children in particular because it is so rewarding to be able to make a long term impact and see them develop into future leaders and fulfill their dreams and aspirations. Coach Kwaku is working towards his goal of becoming a medical professional with a focus on Pediatrics.
ISAAC STAHL
NEW YORK CITY COACH
Isaac Stahl attended North Seattle College where he received a BAS in Education and then earned his MA in Environment and Community Organization from Antioch University Seattle.
He has been working with preschool and elementary aged students for over thirteen years. Throughout that time he has worked with children providing sports education and training. Isaac holds a NYS teaching certificate and currently works as a preschool teacher.
He most enjoys getting to know his clients first and deciding what to teach them based on their interests, strengths, and challenges. He focuses on teaching children the skills needed to tackle the tasks in life they want to take on, including stress management, social skills, and reflective practice.
Isaac grew up in the countryside and loves outdoor activities of all types. He enjoys teaching all sports, particularly soccer. He also plays guitar and speaks Spanish.
KAZIM WALJI
NEW YORK CITY COACH
Kazim Walji received his B.S. in Foundations of Elementary Education from University of Minnesota and then a Masters in Sports Administration from Northwestern University. He began working with children at 16 years of age, building and leading different programming for groups of kids from 5-13 years of age.
Kazim knows how fortunate he was to have been placed in sports at a young age and believes the impact sports and play had on his development has made him into who he is today. He has always had empathy towards those who may not immediately feel comfortable or confident in the play space. Kazim believes nothing is more satisfying than witnessing a child start to make connections to what they are being taught and its implementation into the real world. Whether that is as simple as making a shot in basketball or as impactful as watching a child use empathy to support another child, seeing children “get it” is at the top of his list of rewards.
Growing up Kazim played every sport including football, baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and many others. He is thrilled that his passion and love for sports and children has led him to his full time career as the Program Director at Kids in the Game.
OUR ADVISORY BOARD
DR. MARLA BAUM
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.
PENINA FENIG
Penina Fenig’s 25 years of U.S. and international experience has established her as a highly respected adult and children’s clinician. She is a New York State licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, an ADHD Coach, an Executive Functions Skills Instructor, an educational mentor for the Canadian Speech-Language & Audiology Association, and a Trainer of Feuerstein’s world-renowned Cognitive, Instrumental Enrichment Program, enhancing brain, memory and thinking processes.
Complementing these credentials, is Penina’s book and educational game concierge service, which matches the unique needs of clients to her vast library and game collection. Custom selection, presentation, and adaptation through text and game-based instruction enhance cognition, expression, and learning. She holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Columbia University’s Teacher’s College, national and international accreditations including Feuerstein’s Instrumental Enrichment (Standard, Basic, and Tactile), ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) through CHADD, as well as ASHA (US) and SAC (Canada) affiliations, and New York State TSHH and Bilingual Extension Certifications. Her educational background and qualifications uniquely converge to provide her with a distinct skill-set to help her clients maximize their potential.
GITTY LEINER
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.
