Lily Spence
Avenues Director, Afterschool Program    

I joined the CDCW family almost 4 years ago as an assistant teacher, and I am so proud to now be a part of the administrative team! From the beginning, CDCW has felt like my home away from home. Since I arrived in early 2020 after graduating from the University of Virginia, CDCW has shown me love and support that I would expect to experience within a family, but am so lucky to have found in a workplace.

Now a few years have passed but my initial takeaway remains the same; at CDCW, we lean on each other and help each other grow. Here, I am surrounded by a truly outstanding team of educators who encourage and inspire me. Each step of my journey has been unique, starting by working with the 3-year-olds in the Savanna room, moving to school-agers in the Avenues for Summer Camp and virtual learning, and most recently junior kindergartners in the Ocean room. Each step has come with its own challenges that have also shaped me and helped me become the person and educator that I am today.

Being a part of the Avenues once again will give me opportunities to strengthen relationships with our children and their families, as well as working alongside our teachers to create engaging experiences within our program. In my role as Director of the Avenues After School Program, I hope to help others feel the same support that I have always felt at CDCW.

Outside of school, I enjoy taking my dog on long walks with my husband, reading books, and spending time with our family and friends!