Nicole Simone Gourdine Mitchell is a seasoned educator, spiritual leader, dancer, and author with more than two decades of service in the New York City Department of Education. In her current role as Administrator of Special Education for NYC Transfer High Schools, she oversees specialized instructional programs for over-age and under-credited students, ensuring they receive equitable access to academic, social-emotional, and postsecondary opportunities. Nicole’s leadership is marked by her ability to create systems of support that honor the dignity and potential of every learner, pairing high expectations with compassionate, individualized care. A dedicated scholar-practitioner, she holds a Doctor of Ministry from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, where her research centers the spiritual and emotional healing of Black women through liturgical dance, womanist theology, and embodied storytelling. She is mother, grandmother and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Nicole’s work weaves together education, faith, art, and advocacy to create spaces of restoration, empowerment, and transformative community impact.