My name is Lydia Goulbourne. I became a part of the education field in New York in 2017. Throughout my time I have been a tutor, mentor, STEM teacher, TA, enrichment leader, and art teacher. During my time as an art teacher I incorporated art therapy techniques into my art lessons. My goal as an educator is to provide a safe space for creativity, self expression, and knowledge of mental health.

Phillips Academy Charter School I served as a student aide/teacher assistant and summer program STEM teacher. Some of my responsibilities were identifying early warning signs of emotional and developmental problems in students, reinforcing appropriate social/coping skills, and collaborating with staff members to ensure that each student is able to receive individualized support.

I was a tutor/teacher assistant/enrichment leader at Great Oaks Legacy Charter School [2019-2021]. I gained experience as a teacher's assistant for 5th-7th grade. During my years at Great Oaks I have led both a Spoken Word Poetry and an Art after school enrichment program. Some of my responsibilities throughout each role (tutor, mentor, TA, enrichment leader) included but were not limited to providing non-judgmental confidential support for students in emotional distress, observing and reporting any signs of abuse, neglect, and behavior changes to appropriate staff members, behavior management, promoting healthy problem-solving skills, and working closely with school social workers on cases to resolve issues regarding the safety of students. This position has also required me to adapt to a fast-paced environment and successfully handle crisis situations.