Programs:

Chess

DUMBO Einsteins

Tutoring

Summer Handwriting Workshop

Experts

Liz Craynon Frank
Liz Frank, owner and founder of Abundant Learning has created an intimate learning center in the heart of DUMBO, Brooklyn. From 1998-2007, she served as the clinic director for the Lindamood Bell Learning Center in Manhattan for children and adults with reading and writing issues. Liz founded Abundant Learning after she graduated from Teachers College at Columbia University with a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology. Currently she sees students one-on-one and enjoys co-teaching at the DUMBO Einsteins program.  Liz lives in Dumbo with her husband,  Chris Frank,  one dog,  and two cats.View Elizabeth Craynon Frank's LinkedIn profile View Elizabeth Craynon Frank’s profile
Jason Ciano

At a young age,Jason started mastering his chess skills. His hard work paid off in 1988 when he became the high school chess champion for Washington. In 1991,he captured a ‘triple crown’of titles when he secured the club champion titles in Action,Blitz,and overall Champion for the Tacoma Chess Club—no one has done this since!

While enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle,he coached the Lakes High School team from Tacoma to a 2nd place finish at the Chess Nationals. In 1995,he moved to New York City to pursue another passion,Bridge. Jason became an international master and has won many Bridge titles.

Jason studied under International Master Georgi Orlov. Now he studies with Grand Master Alexander Stripunski. Jason is a US Chess Federation certified chess coach.

 

Traci Timmons

Traci is pleased to bring her joy and experience working with little ones to the Dumbo Einsteins at Abundant Learning.  From her years teaching at Little Ones Preschool in Long Island City, she knows that introducing new learners to “school”  is a privilege.  Traci believes in nurturing the natural curiosity children have for the world around them and guiding it toward their early discoveries of literacy,math,and the arts.

In addition to teaching youngsters,  Traci has spent the last 13 years channeling her love of reading into literacy work with learners of all ages.  Using current research-based models she works one-to-one with schoolchildren, actors, CEOs,  and anyone else who would like to jump-start or strengthen their reading and spelling skills,  including those diagnosed with dyslexia,  ADHD,  and Asperger’s Syndrome.  Traci also teaches handwriting.

When she is not teaching or reading,Traci is cooking and planning potlucks and live music events with her husband,Ray,at The People’s Garden at the end of their block.

Rachel Rath
Rachel has been interested in art,reading and learning from a young age.  She studied Fine Art at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London,and loves coming up with art projects for both the Einsteins and herself.  Rachel also works as a teaching artist for Rush Philanthropic,and was instrumental in starting a toddler art education program with them.  She thinks that drawing and painting are a great way to process everything that goes on in the world.

Rachel grew up in DUMBO and was one of the very first toddlers in the neighborhood!

Sophie Sejourne
Sophie Séjourné,a French American artist, began her career in La Rochelle, France.  She then went to Paris, where she exhibited in Galerie Ariane over a ten year period.  Sophie taught Art and Art History in France at Eurocentre La Rochelle and in a local high school. Now,she works with students one-on-one and in her DUMBO,Brooklyn studio.  Sophie is also very excited to teach the french language and art with 3 and 4 year old DUMBO Einsteins. She has studied at l’Ecole des Beaux Arts in Poitiers, France, and she is a graduate of The Art Students League in New York City, which has her work in its private collection.