Katie Midwood has been a dedicated member of EPIC Academy since its founding in 2018. With a background in both classroom instruction and one-on-one caregiving for children with special needs, she brings years of hands-on experience, compassion, and creativity to her role as a Special Education Teacher. Katie is passionate about supporting her students not only academically, but socially and emotionally—helping them grow into confident, capable individuals. She is known for building strong, trusting relationships with students, who often describe her as someone they feel truly seen and safe with. Her whimsical wardrobe and joyful spirit have become iconic within the school community, making her classroom a place where students feel excited to learn and express themselves.

Katie has played an instrumental role in developing EPIC’s inclusive learning environment, contributing to school-wide initiatives in social-emotional learning, differentiated instruction, and trauma-informed practices. Her ability to blend structure with playfulness has made her a beloved educator among both students and colleagues.

Outside the classroom, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband and their puppy, going on long bike rides, practicing yoga, exploring NYC’s theater scene, and soaking up sunny days with a good picnic in the park.

Nick holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian and Linguistics from New York University, where his passion for language and communication first took root. His early career was shaped by a wide range of teaching experiences across New York City, working with learners of all ages and backgrounds, particularly in English as an additional language. Over time, his focus deepened toward inclusive education and behavioral support, and he has spent the past several years honing his expertise in special education settings that demand both deep empathy and sharp, evidence-based intervention skills.

Nick is known throughout EPIC for his unparalleled skill in therapeutic crisis de-escalation; his calm, compassionate presence and strategic approach have set the gold standard for staff and students alike. As a mentor to new team members, Nick plays a vital leadership role in onboarding and training, ensuring that the values of patience, perspective, and connection are embedded across our school culture.

Now a seasoned member of the EPIC team, Nick continues to be a grounding force within the community. He deeply values the opportunity to help build a safe, collaborative environment where students, educators, and families grow and learn together.

Brandon is a dedicated Special Education Teacher at EPIC Academy, celebrated for his calm presence, emotional steadiness, and deep expertise. With a natural ability to connect, he creates a grounded and reassuring environment that helps students feel safe, understood, and ready to learn.

Brandon specializes in working with learners who face complex emotional and behavioral challenges. He approaches each interaction with thoughtfulness and care—meeting students where they are and guiding them forward with compassion and consistency. His quiet strength and steady demeanor make him a trusted anchor in the classroom.

With a strong foundation in childhood development and developmental psychology, Brandon blends academic instruction with emotional regulation strategies to support the whole child. His classroom is a place of growth, where every student’s individual needs are recognized and honored. Brandon’s unwavering commitment to student success makes him an invaluable member of the EPIC team and a transformative presence in the lives of his students.

Destiny Morales is an Associate Special Education Teacher at EPIC Academy, bringing over five years of hands-on classroom experience and a deep passion for early childhood education. Her journey began as a paraprofessional and after-school tutor, where she discovered her gift for fostering a love of learning—especially in literacy. Since then, she has worked with children from infancy through third grade in a range of instructional roles, including as a Reading Rescue Instructor and teacher’s assistant in both general and special education settings.

At EPIC, Destiny co-teaches and leads Math and STEM instruction, making learning both engaging and accessible for all students. She is known for her calm, nurturing presence, her ability to build strong connections with students from all backgrounds, and her commitment to helping every child reach their full potential—both academically and personally.

As a parent of a child with special needs, Destiny brings deep empathy, patience, and a strong belief in meeting every student where they are. She holds specialized training in early literacy intervention, nonviolent crisis intervention, and pediatric first aid. Destiny is valued at EPIC for her reliability, creativity, and team spirit, and she plays an essential role in fostering a supportive, inclusive classroom where all students feel seen, supported, and valued every step of the way.

Lorraine is an Associate Special Education Teacher at EPIC Academy, bringing over five years of experience across educational, behavioral, and counseling roles. With a rich foundation in both psychology and the arts, Lorraine combines therapeutic insight with creative engagement to support neurodivergent students in meaningful, affirming ways.

Lorraine holds a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology, and she is currently completing a Master of Science in School Counseling at Touro Graduate School of Education. She is a certified Teaching Assistant (Level III), a Registered Behavioral Technician, and has held roles ranging from paraprofessional and teaching assistant to lead teacher and school counselor.

A lifelong artist, Lorraine integrates sketching, costume design, and fiber arts into her educational practice, using creative expression as a powerful bridge to connection, regulation, and self-discovery. Her training in theater and design—paired with her dedication to trauma-informed care—allows her to meet students with imagination, sensitivity, and respect for their individuality. She is a valued and vibrant member of the EPIC team, known for her warmth, adaptability, and deep-rooted commitment to inclusive, student-centered education.

Ariel is an Associate Special Education Teacher at EPIC Academy, where they bring compassion, creativity, and a strong foundation in psychology to their work supporting neurodivergent and disabled students. Ariel holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Studio Art minor from Loyola University Chicago, and their academic focus on child development, counseling, and adolescent psychology informs their trauma-sensitive and student-centered approach to education.

Before joining EPIC, Ariel gained experience working directly with children and adults with diverse needs, from their time as a preschool day camp counselor to their internship at Misericordia Heart of Mercy, a residential community for individuals with disabilities. In these roles, they developed practical skills in behavior regulation, conflict resolution, and adaptive communication, always centering dignity and autonomy in their support work.

Bilingual in English and Spanish, Ariel is committed to building inclusive, affirming spaces where all students feel seen, heard, and empowered. Their grounding in social justice and therapeutic practices makes them a thoughtful and dependable presence in the classroom—and a valued member of the EPIC team.

Dominique has been a member of EPIC Academy since 2022. She has been an occupational therapy practitioner for over ten years, and has had a wide range of clinical experience in hospitals, homecare, and schools.

At Epic, she works with students on building their skills of emotional and sensory regulation, executive functioning, fine motor control, and writing. Dominique is extremely passionate about mental health, and uses co-regulation as a primary therapeutic tool to connect with students. Her students also enjoy the games, activities, and fidgets she brings to school in her giant backpack. Dominique has loved how welcoming the Epic community has been, and has particularly enjoyed joining the teachers in their group Halloween costumes each year.

Outside of school, Dominique enjoys painting, playing with her nephews in the ball pit in her house, spending time with her family and friends, and organizing food donations for CHiPS, the soup kitchen around the corner from Epic.

Yael Avnon is a board certified pediatric clinical specialist. She has trained in orthopedic and lower extremity management, Neuro Developmental Treatment training and aquatic therapy, as well as pediatric pelvic floor dysfunction and treatment. Yael started working at  NYU on the pediatric floor and PICU, Rusk rehabilitation inpatient hospital and at NYU outpatient pediatric clinic ten years ago. After four years, she moved to private practice, as well as doing home and school-based work. These diverse settings have given her extensive training in a broad spectrum of diagnoses, from developmental delays to complex genetic disorders and brain injuries. In addition to general PT, Yael specialize in Aquatic Therapy, which is a fun and effective way to treat kids with sensory and mobility limitations. She also specialize in pelvic floor work, which is designed to treat bowel and bladder related issues (potty training, lack of awareness, bedwetting, constipation etc). 

In Yael’s experience, the best results come from children who are in a warm and trusting environment. She believes in creating sustainable programs for each child, in which they feel comfortable and respected. She collaborate openly with families and other clinicians to provide cohesive care.

Kalvin is the heart of our school environment—ensuring that every hallway, classroom, and shared space is not only clean and safe, but welcoming and ready for learning. With a calm presence and a generous spirit, Kalvin is always ready to lend a hand, fix what’s broken, or brighten someone’s day with a kind word. His attention to detail and deep care for the entire school community make him an essential part of the EPIC team. Whether he’s supporting daily operations or helping a student find a lost glove, Kalvin brings consistency, reliability, and warmth to every corner of campus.