Full Name
Laurie Holden
Job Title
Instructional Lead
Company
Transition & College Access Center/ NYC Department of Education
Bio
Laurie Barnes Holden is an Instructional Lead at the Queens Transition & College Access Center (TCAC) for NYC Department of Education. She works with schools, families and students by providing support for a seamless transition for students from school to adult life through workshops and individual support. Her goal is to provide all students with disabilities the experiences, knowledge and opportunities that support them in being successful in life after high school. She is a career changer, who moved from the corporate world to become a NYC Teaching Fellow. She started her career as a high school special education and IEP teacher. Next, she became a Special Education School Improvement Specialist with NYS Regional Special Education Technical Assistance Support Center where she worked with identified schools to improve outcomes for students with disabilities by developing a Quality Improvement Process plan. From there she moved to her current position at TCAC.
She has a Bachelors of Science in Accounting from St. John’s University, a Masters of Education from Queens College and two Advanced Educational Leadership Certifications from The College of St. Rose. She holds six New York State Teaching Certifications. She has received the NYC PAL Volunteer of the Year Award for working with youth in art and poetry, the Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal by the Brooklyn Diocese for adults who model the highest ideals for young people and the Americorps Education Award in the Service Learning Program.
In February 2020, her article on supporting people with disabilities in the workforce was published in the Japanese Journal of Learning Disabilities, published by Japanese Academy of Learning Disabilities. In 2019, she was the sole presenter at Universal Design Center of Meisei University, Japan at their Annual International Workshop. Her presentation was focused on supporting students with disabilities in the workforce.
When not working, she enjoys spending time with her five children, volunteering with New York Cares and has started an organization called OneTable that brings together women of diverse cultures to share their culture, food, experiences and to strengthen our social fabric.
She has a Bachelors of Science in Accounting from St. John’s University, a Masters of Education from Queens College and two Advanced Educational Leadership Certifications from The College of St. Rose. She holds six New York State Teaching Certifications. She has received the NYC PAL Volunteer of the Year Award for working with youth in art and poetry, the Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal by the Brooklyn Diocese for adults who model the highest ideals for young people and the Americorps Education Award in the Service Learning Program.
In February 2020, her article on supporting people with disabilities in the workforce was published in the Japanese Journal of Learning Disabilities, published by Japanese Academy of Learning Disabilities. In 2019, she was the sole presenter at Universal Design Center of Meisei University, Japan at their Annual International Workshop. Her presentation was focused on supporting students with disabilities in the workforce.
When not working, she enjoys spending time with her five children, volunteering with New York Cares and has started an organization called OneTable that brings together women of diverse cultures to share their culture, food, experiences and to strengthen our social fabric.
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