Director of Art and PEP
With significant experience teaching art to everyone from toddlers through teenagers—including 15 years at both Gymtime and York Avenue Preschool—Maxine oversees all of the art components of our preschool and preschool-readiness programs, as well as our afterschool enrichment classes. Her expertise in both art education and childhood development ensures that Gymtime's PEP classes include art, music, literary and play experiences that are not only fun, but help our students develop a wide range of cognitive skills.
Maxine holds a B.F.A. in Art Education from Syracuse University, where she focused on Synaesthetic Education, which examines how children use all of their senses to explore their environments and create art. Her classes support full body and mind development in young children.
She is the director of art for PEP classes at Gymtime, Early Learning Foundations classes and the York Avenue Preschool.
Maxine and her team develop age-appropriate art and play activities that are open ended. The curriculum is designed around children's interests and needs, and seeks to activate their intellect and curiosity through experimentation.
“For young children, art helps build an understanding of the real world. It activates their senses and gives them tools to start understanding and expressing what they see and experience around them.”
— Maxine Stadnik
-
Michael/Bonni Branciforte
Founders -
Melissa van Wijk
Director of the Tiny Tot Fitness Program -
Maxine Stadnik
Director of Art and PEP -
Andrew Parra
Director of Tae Kwon Do Program -
Lindsay Branciforte
Program Coordinator and Public Relations -
Carla Jolis
Director of Cooking Programs -
Chris Vollaro
Director of Gymnastics and Sports Program -
Haley Blair
Gymnastics Team Director -
Front Desk's Staff
Jessica Flores, Rehaab Zohny and Alexis Sweeting -
Victoria McLaughlin
Director of E.L.F. Preschool and PREP -
Frank Torres
Security