Mitch Hoffman, CEO/President
Achievement and excellence have always been part of Mitch’s life. An All-American Athlete and Scholar, Mitch believes that the best way to give kids a head start in life is to provide them with an integrated approach to early education, including physical development and intellectual growth. Born and raised in Stamford, Mitch did his undergraduate work at Lafayette College, receiving his MA in Educational Administration from Columbia University.
Mitch is a founder and Managing Partner of Building Blocks Early Learning Center. Additionally, he is the Co-Owner and CEO / President of Bobby Valentine’s Sports Academy. Mitch brings 15 years of educational experience to Building Blocks as teacher and administrator. Athletics is an important part of his life, personally, and professionally. He was Director of Athletics at St. Luke’s School, and coached their Head Varsity Baseball Team for many years. Over a dozen of his players went on to top collegiate baseball programs.
Mitch’s passion for athletics goes hand in hand with a determination to see positive change in the community. Mitch serves on the Board of the following charitable organizations: JBI Foundation, The Umbrella Club, and Irvin Moorin Scholarship Foundation along with doing work with Kids in Crisis.
Marc Hoffman, Chief Marketing Officer
Marc has a lifelong passion for education. An experienced teacher and ADHD coach at regional schools, Marc became convinced that an integrated approach to early education is what kids need to succeed. His training at Landmark College, the Wolfeboro Camp School and the Perkiomen School, in addition to his education at Williams College, make Marc an ideal choice for ensuring that every Building Blocks family receives a superior educational experience. With a Masters in Child Psychology from Yeshiva University, Marc is also a board chair of Eye-To-Eye, a national mentoring program that provides assistance to children with learning differences.
After founding the Hoffman Education group, Marc joined Building Blocks as a Managing Partner. He helps with program and curriculum development, as well as overseeing the marketing and accounting departments. Marc also speaks frequently to local parenting groups on child development and effective early childhood education.
Maxine Kozler Koven, Senior Consultant
Creative and Resourceful Public Relations and Consumer Marketing Executive. 15+ years of lifestyle PR, Marketing and Communications experience. Industries include: toys, technology, fitness and entertainment.
- As the head of PR & Social Media at the educational toy company Melissa & Doug, she secured major placements at media outlets such as The Today Show, E! News, Parents Magazine, Parenting, People, Woman’s Day, US Weekly and The New York Times.
- She worked as the brand’s primary media contact; pitching stories to local, regional and national print, broadcast and online media, bloggers; writing press releases; providing print materials, samples, images, supporting broadcast interviews; and developing media materials such as fact sheets and press kits.
Yoga Instructor for Kids & Families (200 Registered Yoga Teacher)
After 14 years of yoga practice, trainings and teaching, Maxine has put together what she believes are the most important parts of teaching Yoga to children and families into a curriculum and training program of her own. She has been fortunate to have had a vast array of teaching experiences including yoga studios, child care centers, NYC public schools, charter schools, private clients in their homes including working with children with special needs.
Maxine is certified through Karma Kids with Shari Vilchez-Blatt to teach yoga to kids and teens. She trained in Post-Natal / Mom & Baby Yoga with Jyothi Larson (author of Yoga Mom, Buddha Baby) and is certified to work with Children with Special Needs by Craig Hanauer and Leah Kalish. She has completed Pre-Natal Training with Juliana Secches and most recently studied the Kundalini based yoga training, Radiant Child with Shakta Khalsa. Maxi is certified in Adult, Child & Infant CPR/AED.
As the mom to 18 week old Jordan and the step-mom to 12 year old Jeremy, Maxine has had the wonderful experience of not only doing yoga with her own kids, but designing programs that all kids would love.
Doing our part to help create happy, healthy families.
