Ms. Edit: Aveson’s Resident Explorer, Bird Whisperer, and TK Legend

Fifteen years ago, Edit Danilian walked through Aveson’s doors with no formal background in education… just an insatiable curiosity, a list of passions, and a refusal to “stay put.” Turns out, that restless energy was exactly what our youngest learners needed.

The Accidental Educator Who Found Her Calling

Before joining Aveson, Edit had worked in several jobs that never quite felt right. One day, while jotting down what truly mattered to her, she realized most of her frustrations pointed toward how education could be different. Then came Aveson—a school that was different. “It felt like a sign,” she says. “The autonomy advisors have here and the focus on social-emotional learning are what make this place home.”

Fifteen years later, she’s taught TK, Kindergarten, literacy intervention, and served as an instructional aide. She’s helped launch countless tiny learners into their first big adventures, crafting classrooms full of curiosity, compassion, and (if you’ve ever stepped into her room) creative chaos in the best possible way.

The Joy of Foundations and Full Circles

What does Edit love most? “I get to be the foundation of a student’s educational career,” she says. “And I get to work with kids and be creative!” Her favorite memories are the full-circle ones—when students return years later, or send postcards from new adventures. “You never really know what they remember from those early years, so those moments mean a lot.”

She admits she has a million “school-isms” tucked away are tiny, unforgettable classroom moments she swears she’ll write a book about one day (before her memory gives out).

Beyond the Classroom

When she’s not teaching, Edit is likely traveling—wandering through airports, headphones on, sparkling water in hand, hunting for her next adventure. She’s also recently earned a new title: Coolest Aunt. It’s a role she takes very seriously.

Her unofficial superpower? Saving birds. Friends have dubbed her the “bird whisperer,” thanks to an uncanny number of feathered rescues over the years. She’s still waiting for a crow to become her loyal sidekick, though.

A Peaceful Warrior with a Meatball Sub

Her favorite meal? “Meatball sub.” Her daily beverage lineup? “Three: water (hydration), coffee (energy), and something sparkling (for fun).” Her favorite compliment? From a best friend who told her, “You’re the one person who always made me feel seen.” That, she says, was everything.

Edit’s message to her students, colleagues, and the world?
“Everyone deserves to feel safe, be who they are, and be loved for who they are.”

Fifteen years in, Edit’s still the same restless learner she was on day one—proving that curiosity, kindness, and a touch of bird magic make for one unforgettable teacher.