Our Team
Kristin Pillay, LICSW, LCSW-C, M.Ed
Founder and Clinical Director
Pronouns: she/her
I have always been inspired by kids: drawn to their free spirit, their varying perspectives challenging my own, their hopefulness, and their ability to play. This first led me to a career as an elementary school teacher seeking to build classroom communities focused on equity and inclusion, social emotional wellbeing, and differentiation of instruction for all learners. Having my own children provided me with a newfound understanding of the parenting journey and a continued commitment to ongoing reflection and dismantling racism as a parent and clinician. I am grateful when I work with kids in my clinical work to have experienced being part of a school community and classroom space. We co-create the clinical space and I view myself as a facilitator of this process. I have had extensive experience working with kids addressing a range of challenges that come up during early childhood, elementary school, and middle school. We all need a community to support kids and I seek to partner with parents in this journey.
After teaching for many years, I decided to pursue a Social Work degree and went to Smith College School for Social Work. I have since dedicated the past 15 years to working in a clinical role at Capitol Hill Day School and Georgetown Day School, independent schools in the Washington DC area. When not working with kids, you can find me spending time outdoors, doing art projects, hiking, doing yoga, or meditating and especially spending time with my family and my dog, Pru.
Kimberly Palombo, PhD, C-SLCT
Director of Teaching and Learning Practices
Joining District Kids in June 2024!
I am thrilled to join the District Kids team in June 2024 to provide comprehensive learning services, including assessment and treatment of educational challenges and family support navigating the sometimes murky waters of school support. As a seasoned educator and parent of a child with dyslexia, I know families are often faced with more than simply helping their child acquire skills. As parents, we hope for a community to support us in raising our children. I see myself as part of this community of support for children and for you. I can be a partner in navigating this journey, empowering you to guide your child. Kristin and I know that school is a central place in children’s day to day experiences, and we see the interplay between the academic and social emotional needs of children. It is this intersection of holistic support that excites me most about joining District Kids.
Over the last 15 years, I have worked with children from pre–school to college, their families, and teachers across Washington, DC as a private practitioner and as the Director of Learning Resources at Georgetown Day School and Lowell School.
In my early career, my desire to better understand the unique challenges children with academic challenges experience and partner with their families prompted my pursuit of my PhD at University of Maryland in learning disabilities. My certifications as a Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher (C– SLCT) and an Educational Therapist (AET), are the direct result of my own reflection as a practitioner and the need to hone my practice and consistently expand my skills.
When I am not working with a child or a teacher, you can find me at a playground on Capitol Hill with my sons, in the kitchen cooking for my family, or at a Nationals baseball game.
Pru, Certified Therapy Dog
Pronouns: she/her
Pru inherently understands that not everything is spoken in words and there is healing power in just being present. Pru has been training for work as a therapy dog since she was a puppy and is a certified therapy dog through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Enjoys lounging, being pet, chewing bones, and long car rides.