About Jennifer

Dr. Jennifer C. Chatmon is an educator, storyteller, and mother who believes that the stories we tell—about ourselves, our children, and our communities—shape what we’re willing to understand, imagine, and fight for. Over more than 25 years in education across New Jersey and California, she has served as a teacher, school leader, and now Director of Curriculum and Social-Emotional Learning at UCLA Lab School. Her pedagogical philosophy is rooted in the transformative power of storytelling to build brave, equitable spaces where every voice is heard and every learner feels a deep sense of belonging and connection. She blends research-informed practice with deep human empathy, integrating social-emotional learning and personalized support to honor the unique, shifting potential of every student—seeing education as a kind of kaleidoscope, where diverse voices and experiences move together to create ever-changing patterns of growth and opportunity.

Through Kaleidoscope Learning Lab, LLC, Jennifer offers personalized coaching and executive functioning support for children, teens, and young adults; Caregiver Learning Conversations; and values-based professional development for schools and organizations. She earned her doctorate in education from Rutgers University and continues to blend scholarship with lived experience in her work as an author and creative. Her children’s book, My Wish for You, and her podcast collaborations with her son reflect the heart of her practice: centering young people, honoring their stories, and building a world where her own child—and all children—can grow, question, and thrive.