Meet the Teachers & Staff!
Sharon Hershman
Founder & CEO
Sharon is the CEO and Founder of Kids on 12th. Originally from Central Pennsylvania, she studied Child Development, specializing in young exceptional children. Before starting Kids on 12th, she worked for the Delaware Autistic Program and served as the Director of a South Philadelphia preschool.
Sharon started Kids on 12th in 2007 after experiencing many challenges with finding a suitable preschool for her eldest son. Her passion is creating fun educational experiences for every child.
Julius DeAngelus, MA
Elementary School Education Director
Julius started at Kids on 12th in 2011. He was born in Atlantic City, NJ and raised in Philadelphia. Teacher Julius also teaches the Kindergarten class at Ko12 Kids. He is Author of the novel, Dancing on Seaside, which set in his hometown. Julius discovered his love for teaching after being laid off from a 12 year job in advertising. He took a job as a teaching assistant at McCall Elementary School and it changed his life.
After 3 years in this role, he went back to college, earning his Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Chestnut Hill College. He also attended Temple University and Community College of Philadelphia. Today, Julius will tell you, “discovering teaching is the best thing to ever happen to me.” He currently lives in Philadelphia with his wife Susan and their two children. He leads our day to day functions including Kindergartens, Preschool, and the Child Care center.
Gwyneth Mallinder
Preschool Supervisor & Head Preschool Teacher
Gwyneth grew up in northwestern NJ and attended Millersville University where she earned an Art Education degree and teacher certification. She began at Kids on 12th in 2012 and today is in charge of all of the preschool classrooms. Gwyneth lived in San Francisco, CA for 9 years before moving to Philadelphia to be closer to family. She now lives in South Philadelphia with her husband Ken and two cats.
Lisa Weiser
Teacher, First & Second Grade
Lisa currently teaches our combined First and Second grade. 2023 is her third year in this position and she loves every minute of it! Lisa graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Elementary Education and has been an educator for 20 years.
Lisa loves working with children and helping them learn and grow according to their needs and interests. Education is her passion and she is happy that she gets to practice her profession in such a wonderful atmosphere as Ko12.
Casey Long
Preschool Assistant / Group Supervisor
Casey graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2019. She majored in Human Development and Family Studies and calls KO12 Kids a place where she can share her love of all things creative with kids!
Casey enjoys contributing to children's growth and seeing them change little by little every single day. Whether it's reaching a small milestone, discovering something new, or becoming more confident as an individual, this is one of her most rewarding reasons for being here.
Tanni Chowdhury
Preschool Assistant / Group Supervisor
Tanni has a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University, with a minor is Psychology. She started at Ko12 Kids in 2020 to fulfill a degree externship requirement and fell in love with our school culture. Tanni loves working with preschool aged students!
Mosi Blaylock
After School Counselor
Mosi has been with Kids on 12th since 2013. He received a Bachelor's Degree in African American Studies with a minor in Child Psychology from Temple University. Mosi worked at Independence Charter School prior to joining Ko12 Kids. He remains very active in his community, volunteering as a Youth Advisor for his church and working to find summer professional shadow employment opportunities for youths aged 13-19 years old.
Henneige Bisson
After School Counselor
Henneige has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Temple University and an Associate's degree in vocal performance from the Community College of Philadelphia. She has been working with children for more than 20 years including six years in Special Education. Henneige was introduced to Ko12 kids in her role as ABA to one of our students and saw firsthand how much we care for our students. When the opportunity to join our team became available, she decided to become part of our school family.
Kenya Lark
Preschool Aide
Kenya graduated from Motivation High School in west Philadelphia and joined Ko12 Kids in 2021. She is trained in adult and pediatric CPR, has completed several hours of professional development in Center Based Care, PA health and Safety, and Executive Function Skills and is working toward becoming a certified teacher.
Sheila Sams
Preschool Aide
Sheila graduated from South Philadelphia High School in 1971. She worked as a Teacher's aid for more than a decade, during which time she earned a CDA and childcare certificates. Sheila retired from Jefferson Hospital Dietary Department after 14 years in 2019 but missed working with children. Sheila started at Ko12 in 2021. She loves it here and enjoys her unofficial title as Grandmom Sheila!
Colin Chobert
After School Assistant
Colin attended Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia. He is also one of the founding children of Kids on 12th after school program from the age of 7 years old to age 12. After graduating high school, Colin worked in his dad's business for a few years. He joined Ko12 in 2023 because he wants to be a positive role model for children and give them the fun experience that he enjoyed when he was a Ko12 Kid!