Before and while earning a B.A. in Music and Theatre Arts from Brown University, I served in many roles with various theatrical organizations. My focus was acting, writing, and directing – all of which are skills that I have brought with me to the NYSoP.
I work in childcare because imagination is something that is very strong during youth, and can remain strong throughout the aging process as long as it has a solid foundation. During my childhood, I had counselors, teachers, and mentors who encouraged the growth of my imagination. Especially in this modern world where kids have access to all kinds of artificial entertainment, I enjoy helping them embrace and cultivate their imaginations in a fun and healthy manner.

The most inspiring part of working at the NYSoP is the community. We all have each other’s backs. We teach “The Social Contract,” which is something we wouldn’t be able to do effectively if we didn’t practice those values ourselves.

In my free time, I like to play D&D – both as a player and DM. I also compose music, both songs, and orchestral scores. I’m currently working on a musical. I also like to bake – my favorites to make are custard tarts and cinnamon rolls.

Core Values

The value that drives me most is empathy. I strive to listen to others and put myself in another person’s position before I make decisions or judgments. Apart from that, imagination. Human creativity is something unmatched by anything else in the world, and it would be a waste not to use it at every opportunity.

Skills
Improvisation. Throughout my career in theatre, I’ve learned how to improvise well, especially in stressful situations. So whether that means coming up with a new game to play, making up a storyline to follow, or figuring out what to say to help a kid jump a metaphorical hurdle, my improvisational skills never lie dormant in this job.

Proficiencies
D&D, Fantasy Frontier, Board Games

Favorites

• D&D Class – Druids because of their versatility. I love finding creative solutions to difficult problems, and the Druid class has so many cool features and abilities that I am never at a loss for creative solutions.
• Pokémon – Bulbasaur. It’s adorable.
• Quote – “An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi

About Ryan

I have owned and operated my own events and portrait photography business in NYC for almost twenty years. I’ve earned Masters and Bachelors of Fine Arts degrees in Acting from the University of California at Irvine and Ithaca College respectively.
I chose to work in childcare because I love introducing kids to games, helping them develop healthy gaming habits, watching them meet new friends, and creating the phenomenal stories only kids can tell.

The most inspiring part of working at the NYSoP is learning new perspectives, games, and ways of playing from kids and my coworkers.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my nine and six-year-old sons, playing board games, watching movies, reading, swimming in any available body of water, and taking long adventure road trips with my family.

Core Values

Building community, sharing, generosity, and providing kids with a safe place to be themselves.

Skills
Building community, sharing, generosity, and providing kids with a safe place to be themselves.

Proficiencies
D&D, Fantasy Frontier, Pokémon Battles, Pokémon TCG, Board Games, Non-D&D RPG systems.

Favorites

• D&D Class – Cleric. I love classes that support other party members so they can do more, better, and for a longer time. Keep the fun moving!
• Pokémon – Armored Mewtwo
• Quote – “I didn’t get a ‘Harumph’ outta that guy…” – Or, anything Mel Brooks

About Marielle

I have a B.A. in Creative Writing from Brooklyn College (go Bulldogs!) with a focus on Fiction. I have worked a motley of jobs before joining NYSoP.

I chose to work in childcare because making a difference for a kid – in any way possible – makes all the difference. I strive to be the person that a younger me needed as a child.

The kids at the NYSoP are absolutely incredible. They come up with stuff that always has me on the edge of my seat. They have boundless creativity.

In my free time, I like to play video games and crochet.

Core Values

I’m going to be honest and say the values in the Social Contract that we follow – safety, trust, respect, cooperation, and consent. When you hear it every day, you learn to live by it.

Skills
I’d like to think that I have the ability to make people feel valued and heard. I also have the energy to keep it at 110% – which is very useful in childcare!

Proficiencies
D&D, Fantasy Frontier, Minecraft, Pokémon Battles, Board Games, Non-D&D RPG systems.

Favorites

• D&D Class – Anything martial. You’ll never catch me with a spell component in my hand – EVER.
• Pokémon – Wooper!

About Will

I have been a teacher for more than seven years – so working with kids is a passion of mine. I have been playing D&D for more than six years and have been a DM for more than four. In total, I have been playing Pokémon for almost 20 years.
I chose to work in childcare because I love being around kids. It is never boring, they never fail to surprise you, and seeing a kid have an ‘ah-ha’ moment is one of the most satisfying experiences imaginable.

For me, the most inspiring part of working at the NYSoP is seeing the passion these kids have for the game – whether it is D&D, Pokémon, or something else.

In my free time, I enjoy gaming, reading, and spending time with friends.

Core Values

Compassion, empathy, and a desire to help kids become the best they can be while having a great time doing it.

Skills
A genuine passion for both the games in question and working with kids. I am also patient and adaptable.

Proficiencies
D&D, Pokémon Battles, Pokémon TCG

Favorites

• D&D Class – Paladin- hard to hit, lots of HP, the ability to heal and cast spells, and SMITES!
• Pokémon – Arcanine. No contest.
• Quote – “I would like to mic-drop the kobold.”

I was a food server and bartender for nine years before moving into restaurant management in 2018. During my time in food service, I was also in a touring rock band for seven years based in Seattle, Washington.

I chose to work in childcare because the mentors I had growing up in theater and music changed my life forever. Being able to provide that support to the next generation of great minds is a dream come true.

The most inspiring part of working at NYSoP is seeing the immense social and emotional progress of every student who takes part in our programming. Gamers instinctively know how beneficial gaming can be, but I am always awed by the range and scope of benefits that every student takes away from our workshops.

In my free time, I love to make music and play chess! I really enjoy looking up new topics and teaching myself new things. I’m currently teaching myself Spanish and miniature painting.

Core Values

Honesty, integrity, communication, resiliency, and changing the world through one’s passions.

Skills
My best skill is certainly the ability to learn through mistakes. Never be afraid of failure, it’s the greatest teacher in the world.

Proficiencies
D&D, Minecraft, Pokémon Battles, Pokémon TCG, Board Games, Non-D&D RPG systems

Favorites

• D&D Class – Druids. They’re just such a versatile player class. Their magic allows them to do massive damage from afar, to heal and support the party, or to overcome tricky situations without the use of skills. Their ability to turn into animals allows them to take on the role of a tank or a melee bruiser or to get into areas they normally wouldn’t be able to reach (climbing through a keyhole as an ant comes to mind).
• Pokémon – Squirtle squad for life.
• Quote – “The moment we believe that success is determined by an ingrained level of ability, as opposed to resilience and hard work, we will brittle in the face of adversity.” –International chess master Joshua Waitzkin, The Art of Learning