Gary Valentine

GARY VALENTINE
Owner/Director/Master teacher/Coach

EDUCATION
Graduate of Univ. of Mass.-Amherst – 5/76
B.S in Physical Education K-12
Minor in Early Childhood Development & Playground Design 
Former competitive gymnast at U.Mass & Herricks High School – since 1966

WORK EXPERIENCE
Owner/Director & full time Instructor / Coach of NASTICS, Inc since 1979
7 years prior teaching in the following gym schools:
Hampshire Gymnastics – Hadley MA
Schnaars Gym – Farmingdale, NY
Mr. Z's. Gym – Bohemia, NY (Manager-’77-‘79)
Playground Designer/Builder & Consultant for various private & public schools including:
Tiny Tots Learning Center
Academy Street Elementary School
Helen B. Duffy El.- Ronk.
Timber Point El. - E.Islip
Set Designer/Builder of Musical Productions at: Bayport-Blue Point S.D. - 97 to present
Northport School District & Community…..Theatre 7/02 to present
Tech Instructor-Children’s Musical Theatre Camp @ Northport H.S. – 2002 to present

OTHER INTERESTS/EXPERIENC
Carpenter - Woodworker
Fisherman (Salt water & Fly fishing)
Long Island Coordinator for Retrouvaille Ministry
along with wife, Debbie

CERTIFICATIONS:
Phys. Ed. K-12
US Gymnastics Safety Certified
USAG Meet Director
Red Cross,First Aid & CPR
USA Gymnastics Assoc. Professional & Club Member
IPA International Playground Assoc.) Member

Gary's Job at NASTICS includes:
Teaching all levels of instruction-(2-18),incl.:
Classes for special problems
Tumbling for cheerleaders
Tadpole” Seminars on Movement–(6mon-2yr)
“Leapfrog”, Recreational & Olympic programs, ages 2-18
Creates Leapfrog lesson plans & Evaluation system for all levels
Coached our USA teams (Beg thru Pre-Elite Lev.10) from ’79 thru ’94, producing many State and Regional Champions

Wayne Thoden

I have been involved in the sport of gymnastics for more than 40 years. As a competitive gymnast, I found the sport to be one that I love and the most challenging sport there is. As a coach, I find this sport to be the most rewarding. We are able to influence the children we coach in a positive way. To be able to guide, mold and challenge children to bring out the best in themselves and build character is amazing. To watch them grow and help them achieve their goals, to share in their triumphs and sorrows is the best reward for me.

I am happy to be back at Nastics after spending nearly six years coaching in Maui. Nastics is the finest gymnastics club I have had the pleasure to work at and I look forward to working with all the children.

I have coached Junior High, and High School Gymnastics teams, as well as Junior High, High School, and College Cheerleaders, all team levels, one through ten and am I am USAG Pro member and Safety and Risk Management Certified, along with CPR/AED and first aid certifications.

When not coaching I am also a photographer and have shot for USA Gymnastics and International Gymnast magazines. I like to write fantasy and horror, I am a published poet and love to create art. I have a Bachelors of Science degree in web design, I was a stand-up comic for over ten years (might be going back soon) and won $10,000.00 on Americas Funniest People.

Cara Kaczmarek

I began my training as a dancer, studying ballet for six years at Seiskaya Ballet, which truly set the foundation for me to excell in athletics (with grace).  Yet,  breaks between classes were spent watching gymnastics at the gym next door and flipping around the playground at school dreaming about the Olympics.  When gymnastics finally became a reality I was a teenager and a student here at Nastics (20 years ago?!) and didn’t really have the time to pursue my passion.  It wasn’t until college that I fully realized my dream - teaching.

Gymnastics is my heart.  Dance is my soul. Children are my joy.  Second only to my family, teaching is my reason for living. I love to challenge a student - mentally, physically and even spiritually, in that the spirit of who they are can shine through even in the smallest movement.  I try not to miss any opportunity to teach, whether it be math,  French, or kindness to others.   I truly feel blessed to do something I love with these energetic, courageous, happy little people. I have my Masters degree in Education and the first aid/ CPR certification as well as USAG safety certified.

Nastics - the great kids, the truly dedicated, fun and inspiring staff, the owners, the Valentines (I know I’m a little old but you’ve been like surrogate parents at times!) - all such good people who have supported my dream - thank you -  I love you guys!!

Christine Stanca

I began at Nastics as a student when I was 5 years old and attended classes until I began working as an instructor-assistant at Nastics when I was a senior in high school in 2007. At the time, I did not realize how rewarding coaching was going to be. The best part is watching each child learn and develop in their gymnastics career, and knowing you’ve helped teach each child is a reward within itself. It’s funny how half of the Nastics staff were at one time my coaches. I now teach all recreational classes, and pre-school classes, as well as Level 4 compulsory team, birthday parties and open gyms & camps.  Pretty much anything Nastics offers, I have been involved in.

Besides growing up as a student at Nastics, my gymnastics background includes competition on the Connetquot Junior Varsity team for 2 years and the Varsity team for 4. I loved being part of a team and enjoyed the “family” you become, just like the “family” we have at Nastics.

I received my Associates degree from Suffolk Community College in 2010 and plan on graduating with my bachelors in December 2012 from St. Joseph’s College as a child study major. I plan to continue my education and work towards my Masters in Literacy. Being a child study major, I have been able to relate many skills and strategies as a gymnastics coach to the classroom as a teacher.

I am USAG member and Safety and Risk Management Certified, along with CPR/AED and first aid certifications. I also have certificates in courses on Child Abuse and Prevention of School Violence.

I truly enjoy working at Nastics and could not ask for a better “family” to work alongside.

Jan Filoso Gymnastics + Dance = Passion.

I have been a gymnast and dancer since I was sturdy on my own two feet. I was competitive in club gymnastics, through USGF (now known as USAG) until about 3rd/4th grade. At that point, I stopped my club gymnastics career at Level 7. I continued dancing all along – tap, jazz and ballet. However, my passion for gymnastics never dimmed, and I was thrilled to compete for my school starting in 7th grade. Competing for Connetquot High School under the coaching of Mr. Sheibler and Mrs. Lassen created lasting memories and influence. So much of my coaching philosophy was instilled during these years. Earning the team League Champion title two years in a row, MVP, Team Captain and All-Around County Champion are still some of my proudest accomplishments.
I continued on to earn my Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and Dance at Springfield College. I had the honor of participating in the Springfield College HomeShow – a gymnastics exhibition show that has been performing for over 100 years. It was during my college years that I discovered yet another passion – coaching. Coaching, educating and inspiring my athletes is just as rewarding as being a gymnast myself. I found that having been a decent gymnast, yet always having to work hard for it, made me an even better coach. I have the ability to breakdown a skill, explain it in a way that every child will understand, and provide drills and exercises that will help them to achieve success.

Most recently, my career has expanded to incorporate the entire wellness spectrum for children and adults as well. As a result of my own diagnosis with Ulcerative Colitis, I have founded Moving Bodies, Changing Minds, a state of wellness and healing that integrates the mind, body and spirit to achieve optimum wellness. I inspire individuals and groups to upgrade their lifestyle habits and guide them through the process using a variety of modalities that include (but are not limited to) Holistic Health Coaching, Fitness Training, Thai Yoga Therapy and Reiki. I work with individuals living with digestive diseases or disorders, those needing stress management, and those looking to increase their overall wellness.

I am currently certified in First Aid & CPR/AED (American Heart Association), Safety and Risk Management (USAG), Personal/Group Fitness (AAAI-ISMA & Equinox Fitness), Pre/Post Natal Fitness Training (Annette Lang), intenSati (SatiLife), Holistic Health Coaching (Institute for Integrative Nutrition), Thai Yoga Therapy (Thai Yoga Center), and Reiki (Usui Shiki Ryoho Tradition).

Continuing to have gymnastics and dance in my life provides balance and continued inspiration to stay on my path toward optimum wellness. There is nothing more rewarding than to be able to inspire my athletes not just IN the gym, but in their outside life as well. Teaching my gymnasts about nutrition and stress management will give them skills that will last a lifetime and allow them to be their absolute best for years to come. I am honored to be a part of the Nastics family, and look forward to bringing a higher state of health and wellness to us all!

Nancy Gioia

Lynn Elliot

Since the time I could walk, I always remembered doing flips off my couch and rolling around my house. I began taking gymnastics classes by the age of 3 years old. I started competing by the age of 7. I was a member of the Sachem Varsity Team and the Southern Connecticut State University Team as well. I competed at Nastics for many years and could not think of a better place to continue teaching than Nastics. I have a Masters' Degree in Special Education and love every day that I can inspire children to learn. The most rewarding part of my job is watching children learn and know that I have had a part in their success.

Paul Fusco

I have been involved in the sport of gymnastics for more than 20 years. As a competitive gymnast, I competed as a High School, Private Club, and Colligate gymnast.  I was a dual sport athlete throughout High School as well as my freshman year at Springfield College. I was a 6 Time High School All-American, 3 Time Collegiate Academic All-American, as well as Newsday Athlete of the week twice (once for both baseball and gymnastics).  Newsday did an article on me about how to avoid “burning out” as a High School Athlete. Currently I am studying Law at Touro Law School in Central Islip.

Since becoming a coach in 2005, I have found that shaping and teaching young children is one of the most rewarding professions a person can be in.  I view coaching not only as the physical shaping of an athlete’s body, but also the mind through character building and positive thinking.  Gymnastics is a sport that can challenge a person both physically and mentally. This is what makes it so unique, and as a coach it is my responsibility to take lessons that my students can use both in the gym and throughout life.

Gymnastics holds a special place in my life and has tough me valuable lessons that have helped me become the person I am today. Through the implementation of these lessons I have graduated from Springfield College with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and am currently a Juris Doctor candidate with an expected graduation date of May, 2012.

As one of the most influential people in my life would say when life knocks you down; “Don’t Quit… Reset, Reload, Refocus.” 

Tammy Moynihan

I have been involved in gymnastics my entire life.  My mother was a gymnastics coach, and put me in the sport as soon as I could walk.  I competed in USGF Gymnastics for 11 years, then went on to compete for the Brockport College gymnastics team for 4 years. 

I came to Nastics when I was 13, and have never left.  After graduating college, I started working at Nastics as a gymnastics teacher.  After having my first child, Hadley, I moved to the office so I could bring her to work with me.  Three kids later, I am still in the office.  My kids have grown up here.  We love Gary and Debbie and consider them a part of our family.