Meet Our Staff
Founder & Owner of Kids at Work
Julie Averill, a mom herself, has been working with babies and young children through age 5 for the last fourteen years.
Working with young children and their families is Julie’s passion – from witnessing a baby’s first steps to seeing a toddler’s eyes light up at the sight of a new discovery, to helping a young child conquer separation anxiety.
You will see Julie in the classroom on the floor with children in our Toddle Around, Mess it Up, and Gentle Separation classes. All new clients are sure to receive a personal email from her welcoming them to Kids at Work!
Julie’s formal education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Hartford. In addition to her hands-on experience with babies and young children, she has also completed The RIE I: Theory and Observation course in infant and toddler development and care.
Julie works to curate an amazingly compassionate and mature team of early childhood professionals to work with the children at Kids at Work. Julie also holds a masters in orchestral flute from Manhattan School of Music.
Julie and her husband Dmitry have two sons born in 2011 and 2014, and live on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
General Manager
Lydia holds a Masters of Library and Information Sciences from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor's degree from Butler University. Lydia is interested in early childhood development and literacy. She has experience as a Family Literacy coordinator and Children's Librarian and brings her love of reading, singing, and playing to Kids at Work. Lydia has been a team member at Kids at Work since May 2024.
Preschool Prep Separation, Co-Lead Teacher
Nicole holds a Masters Degree from NYU School of Global Health where she completed courses in child development and multi faceted approaches to supporting family health She also holds a BA from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She loves art, books, museums, traveling, being outdoors and exploring the city. Nicole is a mom of a middle schooler and navigating the teenage years with an open heart and excitement. She is also CPR/AED and first aid certified for infants and adults. Nicole has been a team member at Kids at Work since May 2022.
Preschool Prep Separation, Co-Lead Teacher
Shadae is an experienced early childhood educator with a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Walden University and a passion for play-based learning. Drawing inspiration from working in spaces that incorporate Reggio Emilia and R.I.E. philosophies, she fosters learning environments rooted in respect, compassion, and curiosity. Shadae is committed to nurturing children's growth through hands-on activities and meaningful connections with families. She creates warm, engaging spaces that support each child's development and well-being in every classroom she enters. Shadae has been a Kids at Work team member since October 2024.
Summer Camp Lead Teacher
Jennifer Henry is an instructional leader and dedicated educator who has spent ten years teaching young students in early childhood. She has worked as both an Assistant Director and Lead Teacher, always from the heart, with patience, and understanding the needs of young children to feel safe, visible, and supported. She is studying for her master's in Early Childhood Education. Jennifer is committed to continually developing in her profession and remaining attuned to the changing needs of the child and the family.
With four children of her own between the ages of nineteen and one, Jennifer offers professional and personal insight. She knows firsthand how essential connections, personalized attention, and compassion are to the growth of a child and applies the same passion to the classroom on a daily basis.
Teaching isn't just a career for Jennifer; it's a calling. With a firm belief in the potential of education, kindness, and encouragement, it feels like an absolute privilege to contribute to shaping the future generation.
Lead Teacher and Facilities Manager
Kevin is a NYC native and has been with KAW for over 5 years. Kevin holds an Associate degree in Digital Arts and came to KAW with creativity in arts. His passion of working with children evolved from his mother who’s now a retired middle school teacher. Kevin’s interests are arts, sports, music, traveling, and cooking. Kevin is also knowledgeable about the Kids At Work facility. His friendly, talkative, calm and confident demeanor are a wonderful addition to the workplace. Kevin has been a team member at Kids at Work since June 2019.
Lead Teacher, Music and Dance
Sophie DeLeo is an actor, singer, and songwriter with a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Hartt School. Since 2015, she has been teaching music, drama, and songwriting to kids of all ages and she’s so excited to join the team at Kids at Work! You can check out Sophie's "grown-up" music here!
Visit www.sophiadeleo.com to learn more about her and see where you might be able to catch her performing next. Sophia has worked extensively with infants and toddlers at Musibambino on Manhattan's Upper West Side. She has been a team member at Kids at Work since April 2022.
Summer Camp, Assistant Teacher
Front Desk and Party Manager
Kelcie Crino has worked extensively with a variety of ages over the years, with children and families from all backgrounds. She has worked with the founder's personal family for over 5 years. She is extremely passionate about her job, and acknowledges and cherishes the impact she can have on a child, and the joy that they can create together. Kelcie is energetic, patient, and a constant source of encouragement for all the children she has the pleasure of working with. Kelcie has been a team member at Kids at Work since January 2024.
Lead Teacher, Music and Cooking
Marlena Ospina is a singer and composer living in Brooklyn. She worked professionally as a theatre artist and musician in New York City for six years. She is currently an active member of the NYC Sacred Harp community and in the choir of St. Brigid's Roman Catholic Church in Bushwick. She has also worked in education and visitor engagement for the Wildlife Conservation Society at the Central Park and Prospect Park Zoos. She performs and writes in English and Spanish, and (some of) her original music can be found at marlenaospina.bandcamp.com Marlena has been a team member at Kids at Work since August 2022.
Preschool Prep Separation, Assistant Teacher
Summer Camp, Assistant Teacher
Sandra holds a certification as an Assistant Teacher and worked for over 20 years as a private teacher and caregiver. She is currently continuing her education in Criminal Justice. Sandra is also a fluent Spanish speaker. Sandra has three children and an infant grandson, she lives in NYC with her husband and two teens. She is a member of the Parent Teacher Association at her children's school. Sandra also holds certifications in CPR Pro and First Aid: Responding to Emergencies. Sandra is an Assistant Teacher in Preschool Prep Separation and KAW Summer Camp. She has been a part of the Kids at Work team since June 2023.
Lead Teacher, Dance
Lyric is a Performer, Teaching Artist, and Choreographer originally from Seattle Washington. She holds a bachelor's degree in Dance education K-12 from Brigham Young University. With more than 5 years of professional experience teaching children, Lyric is excited to be a part of the Kids at Work team here in NYC. She is passionate about sharing her love of creativity and play with youth and the world! Lyric has been a team member at Kids at Work since September 2023.
Lead Teacher, Music
Jillian Millette has been working in childhood education & teaching the performing arts including teaching voice and directing children's theatre since 2016. With experience working with children ages 2 months to teens, Jillian is excited to be a part of the Kids At Work team! Jillian is an actor and singer, graduating from the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in 2022, who has performed regionally and throughout the city. Additionally, she is pursuing her own music, directing, and work in accessibility advocacy. Jillian has been a part of the Kids at Work team since January 2025.
Preschool Prep Separation, Assistant Teacher
Chanel was born and raised in the East Village, NYC. Chanel brings patience and dedication to her role at Kids at Work, with experience in daycares working with children 0-5. Chanel is passionate about creating a safe and joyful space for the kids to learn and express themselves freely. She is currently enrolled in as a business student alongside working at Kids at Work! Outside of work, Chanel love, love, loves to eat—she's a big foodie! Chanel has been a Kids at Work team member since May 2025.
Preschool Prep Separation, Assistant Teacher
Bronwyn is a recent New York transplant, originally from Oregon, now living in Brooklyn. After graduating from University of Oregon in 2022, she moved to Brisbane, Australia where she spent two years as an Au Pair for a wonderful family with three young kids. Bronwyn has accumulated a broad range of childcare experience over the past eight years, from working in daycares, nannying, au-pairing, and just being a big sister herself! She loves travel, fashion, food and coffee. When she's not at Kids at Work, catch her at your local coffee shop making drinks. Bronwyn has been a Team Member at Kids at Work since May 2025.
Lead Teacher, Music
Evan Nachimson has spent the last decade working for every kids music program you've already heard of in NYC. From Songs for Seeds at Appleseeds to Ramblin' Dan's Freewheelin' Band, to right here at Kids at Work! He's played birthday parties for past U.S. President's Grandchildren, mannyed for A-List celebrities, and co-founded his own kids yoga program. As a Berklee College of Music Graduate, he's gone on to work with Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award Winners. He is the founder of Kids at Work's newest class, Mindful Music, where the mission is to emotionally validate children through music, and build long-lasting, meaningful relationships with every student. Evan is currently completing a masters degree in Mental Health Counseling at Hunter College. Evan has been on the KAW team since April 2018!
Facilities and Assistant Teacher
Nico is a career Illustrator with a Bachelors Degree in Game Art from Southern New Hampshire University. He is currently beginning a Masters in Art Education at the School Of Visual Arts. He has prior experience as an after-school Art Teacher for early childhood students. His goal is to inspire children to express themselves via their creativity and foster any talents they want to pursue. Nico has been a Team Member at Kids at Work since June 2024.
Lead Teacher, Dance
A dance and theater lover from day one, Kaya performed with community arts organizations throughout her childhood, including the prestigious American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Kaya started her dance training with The Madison City Ballet Company, studying classical ballet technique. She continued her ballet training at The Petaluma Ballet. After moving to Los Angeles, Millenium and The Edge became Kaya's stomping grounds where she studied multiple dance styles including: ballet, hip hop, jazz, and tap. She has been teaching dance, starting with children as young as 16 months, for the past 7 years and loves working with young dancers to help them develop and find their own love for movement. Kaya has been a team member at Kids at Work since September 2019.