Nika Mitchell first learned about Mansfield Hall while working as an intensive one-on-one paraeducator, after encountering a Mansfield Hall community outing at a local Burlington café. Seeing the joy, autonomy, and genuine connections between students and staff sparked her interest and eventually led her to join the team as an Academic Coach. Nika holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and Art & Design, with a concentration in Philosophy & Ethics, from Saint Michael’s College and has over five years of experience teaching, tutoring, coaching, and supporting learners from PK–12 and beyond. She values disability advocacy, educational access, individualized instruction, and relationships that help students feel valued and empowered to thrive. Originally from New Hampshire, Nika now calls Burlington home and stays connected with family and loved ones in New England and Hawaii. In her free time, she enjoys local cafés, finding her next book at the library, spending time in nature, playing board games with friends, solving word and logic puzzles, creating art, practicing mindfulness, and making treats for the people she cares for.