Katerina H Watson has worked in education for over 13 years, specializing in inquiry-based special education and therapeutic behavioral interventions. As the Founder and Head of School at EPIC Academy, Katerina utilizes a trauma-informed approach to create a rigorous, progressive, and therapeutic educational environment where students receive the academic and behavioral support they need to thrive for the rest of their lives.   

Prior to founding EPIC, where she also served for three years as a lead teacher, Katerina taught for 10 years at increasingly progressive schools. She also worked as Program Director at various special education programs to develop behavioral interventions and continues this work today as a consulting Child Behavior Specialist. Katerina is an author and speaker who shares her expertise on a wide range of topics, such as maximizing student learning, parent strategies for therapeutic deescalation, and social-emotional integration across content areas. 

Katerina has a BA in Education, History, and Music from NYU; An MA in Inclusive Education and an MA in Teaching Students with Disabilities from Teachers College Columbia University; and is currently studying School Leadership at Harvard Graduate School of Education. You can read some of her writing at edutopia.org  and chalkbeat.org

Nick holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian and Linguistics from New York University. His passion for communication through language led him to secure many teaching positions throughout New York City for people of all ages, and he has spent much of his career focused on teaching English as an additional language. Nick also crossed paths with Katerina Watson for several years when they worked together in a setting that warranted consistent behavioral intervention plans, knowledge of special education best practices, and a sound understanding of therapeutic de-escalation techniques. From his years of experience, he has realized the importance of patience, perspective, and communication in every learning environment. This is Nick’s second year on the EPIC team, and he values the agency he has been given here to foster a safe learning environment where students, teachers, and families can all learn from one another.

After gaining a BA Hons degree in Philosophy at Middlesex University in London, Maxine pursued a career working with children and adults with a variety of special needs for twenty plus years. This has included completing a Diploma in Learning Disability Nursing (intellectual disability) at De Montfort University as well as working in settings such as an Assessment and Treatment Unit, community nursing, after school clubs and most recently as a Teaching Assistant for transition students in Special Ed. Maxine is a great believer in the philosophy that people do well when they can, so she is delighted to work in such an inclusive community as EPIC, which values each child’s individual needs and she loves her continued opportunities to grow and learn here. Outside of work Maxine loves to travel and immerse herself in other cultures, foster cats, cook, and practice yoga.

As a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist, Michelle has a variety of clinical experiences helping children, adolescents, and young adults. Michelle is passionate about helping children, and she takes advantage of each child’s unique strengths and interests to make learning fun and successful. She believes that a positive, supportive rapport with the child and a strong working relationship with classroom teachers and the child’s family are the building blocks to successful therapy. Michelle received her undergraduate degree at the University of Delaware in cognitive science with a concentration in speech-language pathology, and her graduate degree is in speech and language pathology from Hunter College. She is level one PROMPT-trained. Additionally, Michelle recently earned her Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School, with the intention of participating in the field of special education law alongside her work as a speech-language pathologist.

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.