Talent Development Connection (TDC) collaborates with independent consultants to provide and support the unique and specialized programs and activities that keep curious and creative minds engaged. TDC’s mentors are chosen because they are masters of their talents and abilities, and because their enthusiasm for what they do is contagious. They are artists, musicians, mathematicians, storytellers, aspiring scientists, makers, and creators of fantasy role play games. Our mentors are role models, building relationships of mutual respect and appreciation. TDC mentors have a real interest in sharing their skills and experience with program participants who share their passions. Their interest and commitment creates a comfortable and nurturing environment for talent development, social/emotional growth, and healthy self-esteem. Their genuine interest in, and commitment to our young learners creates a comfortable and nurturing environment for talent development, social/emotional growth and healthy self-esteem.
Melissa Sornik, LCSW
Executive Director/Clinical Director of Programs & Activities
A licensed clinician, Melissa has been working with gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) children and their families since 2003, and earned her Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University with a specialization in children and families. Melissa is the co-founder of Twice Exceptional Children's Advocacy, Inc. and served as president of the organization from 2002 through 2023. Her private practice specializes in support and services for all kinds of gifted individuals, including 2e individuals who are gifted with social, emotional, and/or learning challenges. Melissa is the executive director of the practice, oversees all programs and services including training and supervision, and works directly with gifted children, adolescents and adults in a therapeutic capacity. Believing that resilience and healthy relationships are fundamental to personal and professional success and fulfillment, Melissa has developed the B.E.S.T. model — four fundamental elements that are identified and promoted in her work with clients. Reflecting upon her own educational experience as a gifted artist and writer with learning challenges of her own (she can only memorize words in the form of song lyrics, and struggled with math throughout school), Melissa relived a similar experience when she became the parent of a uniquely gifted child. She set out to learn as much as she could about gifted individuals, especially those whose gifts, talents and unique emotional needs aren’t typically recognized or supported in traditional school or work settings, or those with certain challenges that overshadow their gifts and abilities. Melissa and the team of teachers, clinicians, and mentors who collaborate with her practice facilitate the practice’s onsite and online services and programming including TDC (Talent Development Connection). This eclectic team of professionals has been growing since the practice and programs were initiated by Melissa in 2006, and every team member has been thoughtfully chosen for their own gifts, talents and abilities. A collaborative sharing of ideas, unique talents, and creative synergy results in the creation of programs, projects and activities that are as innovative and unique as the individuals they were created for. Melissa has developed programs for gifted and 2e children and adolescents, conducted professional development sessions for public and private school settings and colleges in the NY tri-state area, has authored several articles on the subject of twice-exceptionality, and has presented lectures and workshops at regional and national conferences. She is an advisory board member of GiftedNYS, and has co-authored and co-presented the first online course on 2e for the National Association of Social Workers’ NY Chapter. Melissa has served on district and county Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) boards and is a 2e consultant for school districts and private schools. She is a SENG SMPG certified parent support group facilitator and an adjunct professor at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, NY where she has taught her own undergraduate course on a systems model and approach to working with children with special needs and their families. She has supervised and mentored undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate social workers, through training, internships and licensure. Melissa is also the former director for admissions and outreach at a school for gifted and 2e learners in NYC. She currently resides in New York City and maintains clinical practices in both New York City and Sea Cliff, New York. Melissa has raised her own twice-exceptional child. Find out more about Melissa’ s clinical practice at melissasorniklcsw.com.
Jacob Greebel, LCSW, MSEd
Jacob Greebel holds a dual degree of Master of Education, for general and special education, from Bank Street College, a Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin. He has taught at the Brooklyn Free School, an alternative and progressive educational setting that allowed him to meet each child's individual needs to accommodate their diversified learning needs. Inspired by his own struggles as a 2e student, Jacob went unidentified until his senior year in college. He is a certified dyslexia tutor and consultant, working 1:1 with students with dyslexia and central auditory processing disorder. Jacob strives to raise awareness and change perceptions of 2e children and adolescents by furthering his knowledge in both scope and depth as he continues to gain experience and share his discoveries with his students, peers and parents alike. In addition to his professional knowledge and experience, Jacob has a passion for science which he readily shares with TDC program participants.
Max Sornik, BSW
A musician and recording engineer with a lifelong passion for music, Max Sornik has studied and received his certification in Studio Recording Technology. Max has been working with children and adolescents, including those who are gifted and twice exceptional, since 2006. At the age of fourteen he was a mentor for children and adolescents enrolled in a respite program for individuals with autism. Max uses his creativity, talents and an intuitive understanding of uniquely gifted children to provide program participants with a calmness and predictability that encourages their engagement in projects and activities. Max is currently pursuing a masters degree in social work.
Meet Our RPG Team
Jennifer Giordano
Strategy Game Creator/RPG Facilitator
Jennifer Giordano is currently attending college as an education major with the dream of becoming a history teacher! She weaves history into the magic of her games. Green is Jen’s favorite color. She enjoys running D&D games in a safe and relaxed environment in which all of her players are active and engaged. Her favorite thing is creating worlds full of magic and fantasy for her players to explore! Jen likes a good mix of role-play, puzzles, and of course, combat… although some of her favorite games have been combat free! Jen is excited to join our growing team of expert game masters!
Riley Seaman-Woodsworth
Strategy Game Creator/RPG Facilitator
Riley Seaman-Woodsworth is an accomplished strategy game expert and experienced dungeon master who has facilitated games for both young and mature players of varying experience levels. Riley incorporates his passion for and knowledge of world history, and his skills in improvisation & storytelling enrich the campaigns that capture the interest of each game participant. His games encourage teamwork and critical thinking, and include the use of visual and auditory aids to expand player involvement and immersion. In addition to his role as a TDC strategy games facilitator.
Connor Watson
Strategy Game Creator/RPG Facilitator
When I was young my mom would buy me lots of board games and strategy games. I didn't have siblings living with me and had few local friends around my age, so lots of times I would have to make up rules so I could play all the games by myself. And I've been playing and making games ever since. I've been playing Dugeons&Dragons for over 30 years and have worked as a professional Dungeon Master and game facilitator for teens for over three years.
In my games I like to challenge Players in a variety of ways. My games will turn genres inside out, break standards, and twist tropes. My games are 50% serious, 40% hilarious, and 10% What-Was-That?
I like to help the Players tell a variety of stories that explore different ideas and even different genres, sometimes even in the same game. Every session should bring new exciting social interactions, combat, puzzles, or roleplaying opportunities for the group to explore, creating possibilities to look forward to in the next game session.
Connor brings his innovative games and creativity to TDC’s NYC teen RPG games.
Kate Yourke
Creative Consultant for Workshop Design and Innovation
Kate has been an educator for over 30 years, offering hands-on experiences in diverse educational settings from the Brooklyn Museum to foster care group homes. Kate was the founding Director of Creative Arts at The Quad Manhattan and the Lang School, integrating curriculum with maker education for their 2e student populations. Kate is working as a curriculum developer for NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering Center for K12 STEM Education and the Lewis Latimer House Museum. In 2014 she founded Make: STEAM to enrich the experience of public school students through workshops, professional development, and the annual STEAM WORKS Festival of Creativity.
