Chandler School

We're thrilled to welcome two voices who help bring melody, rhythm and meaning into everyday life at Chandler -  Brandi Williams-Moore , our Creative Director and Performing Arts Chair, and  Vidie Williams , who inspires our youngest learners as the Lower School Music Teacher. Together, they walk us through the evolving role of music across all grade levels, their philosophies for engaging stu...

In this episode of  Chandler Chats , Head of School Emily Brown sits down with two of Chandler’s newer faculty members:  Cynthia Hernandez , 1st Grade Teacher, and  Joe Alexander , Lower School Science Teacher. Cynthia, who joined Chandler in 2022, shares her journey from a career in mental health to the joyful energy of the first-grade classroom. Joe, who has been at Chandler since 2023, reflects...

In this episode of  Chandler Chats , Head of School Emily Brown is joined by two special guests,  Interim Middle School Director Mateo Reyes  and  Lower School Director Laura Reardon . Together, they reflect on the excitement of launching the 2025-2026 school year and celebrating Chandler’s 75th anniversary. Mateo and Laura share insights about welcoming new faculty, building strong connections wi...

We’re kicking off the 2025-2026 school year with an energizing conversation about AI and its role in education, art and culture. Joining Emily are two special guests - Kim Edwards , EdTech consultant and founder of Innovative Teaching Solutions , who brings expertise in helping schools harness AI-powered tools for teaching and learning and Steve Chung , Chandler parent and COO of Azuki , who share...

​In the latest episode of Chandler Chats , we’re thrilled to spotlight the vibrant offerings of our Summer@Chandler program. Head of School Emily Brown sits down with Summer@Chandler Director Diana Moore and 2nd Grade Teacher Ashley Weideman to discuss how Chandler’s summer camp blend fun, creativity and learning.​ Diana and Ashley share how the program is designed to keep students engaged through...

In the episode of Chandler Chats , we’re excited to welcome members of our Admissions Team! Head of School Emily Brown is joined by Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Hillary Blunt and Director of Admissions Gretchen Lurie. They share insights into Chandler’s personalized admissions process, the importance of belonging and inclusion and how families can experience our campus through eve...

In this week’s episode of Chandler Chats, we’re excited to welcome members of our Advancement Team!  Director of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives Joan Bravo  is joined by two new faces— Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & Campaign Jenny Seto '01  and  Assistant Director of Annual Giving Lynde Tomori Trussell . They share insights into fostering community connections, Chandler’s rich...

In this episode, we are excited to feature  Cheryl Mang ,  Young-Gi Harabedian  and  Jeremy Baker , three parents who are active volunteers at Chandler School. Fresh off the excitement of this past weekend's open house, they have contributed in various capacities and shared insights about their children’s experiences, volunteer work on campus and the new shuttle from the Rose Bowl. Tune in to hear...

In this week’s episode, we are excited to highlight  Kindergarten Teacher Katie Villanueva  and  1st Grade Teacher Megan Collins . They share their experiences with both phases of the  Student-Centered Campus Redesign  project and how their new classrooms were thoughtfully created with kid-friendly features and flexible learning spaces. Hear firsthand how these environments are fostering creativit...

In this first episode of the new school year, we're excited to welcome Rob Evans, Director of Middle School, and Laura Reardon, Director of Lower School. They share the latest updates for their respective divisions and what they’re most looking forward to in the new school year.

In this special summer episode of  Chandler Chats , we are delighted to welcome Dr. Jessica Perez Del Toro, Executive Director of  Partnership for Success (PFS)  and Chandler's own PFS Site Director, Paul Camargo . In this engaging session, Dr. Perez Del Toro and Mr. Camargo discuss the transformative work of PFS, which harnesses the power of education to uplift Pasadena Unified School Distric...

In this episode of Chandler Chats, we welcomed  School Librarian Stacey May . Join us as Mrs. May shares her expertise in recommending the best books, coordinating author visits and keeping everything running smoothly in our K-8 Community Library. Additionally, Mrs. May will be sharing her top summer reading picks for our families. Her insightful discussion underscores the vital role our library p...

In this episode of Chandler Chats, we are thrilled to welcome three esteemed guests from our Middle School Science department— Mr. Cal ,  Arpa Ghazarian  and  Kyle Rubalcava . Join us as they delve into the intricacies of our science curriculum, discuss the importance of staying current in their field, and share their favorite electives, among other topics. Their insightful conversation highlights...

In this episode, we had the pleasure of showcasing the dynamic duo from our Visual Arts department—  Department Chair Julie Zemel  and  Art Teacher Travis Chatham . During the engaging conversation, Julie and Travis delved into  ArtWorks and explored the intricacies of the creative process! Their insightful discussion shed light on the transformative power of art within our community, emphasizing...

In this episode, we are delighted to feature two remarkable Chandler alumni,  Jennifer Johnson '94  and  Danny Rothenberg '96 . These distinguished guests shared their heartfelt journeys of returning to their alma mater and immersing themselves in the vibrant Chandler community. Jen and Danny's insights shed light on the profound impact of reconnecting with our roots and actively contr...

We invite you to the upcoming episode of Chandler Chats, where we shine a spotlight on a very special occasion in our community – the Chandler in Bloom Gala, set to enchant us all on May 4, 2024. This episode features an engaging conversation with the dynamic Chandler Parents and Co-chairs of the Gala, Chika Roulet , Zoe Regan , and Cristina Yamakawa . Join us as our esteemed guests unveil the ins...

We're excited to announce the next episode of Chandler Chats, showcasing the active trio from our Athletics Department -  Bill Anderson ,  Logan Hartley and  Jazmin Garcia ! Join us as they delve into sports education, physical activity and the art of fostering resilience through the concept of failing forward. Discover their innovative methods for keeping students engaged, honing new skills a...

We're delighted to present the newest edition of Chandler Chats! In this episode, we turn our focus to our Middle School English Department, showcasing the talents of English Teachers Sarah Newhall, Ashley Laird and Rachel Finn-Lohmann . Join us as we introduce these dedicated educators who infuse passion and expertise into every lesson. Get ready to delve into their inspirations, teaching phi...

The latest episode of  Chandler Chats  is here and it's a special one! Recorded live at Big Service Day, the energy was incredible! In this episode, we had the pleasure of hosting CFA Community Service Chair Jon Blossom , Susan Dutra ‘94 , the director of development for My Friend’s Place and Jenny Seto ‘01 , philanthropy officer for Villa Esperanza. They shared their inspiring stories and ins...

As mentioned in our earlier communication, we're thrilled to share an exciting update with you about Chandler's progress in fulfilling the ambitious goals outlined in our Strategic Plan Leading Together . Hear more details about this exciting development in this Chandler Chats episode. We have the pleasure of hosting Board President Khalilah El-Amin , along with Board Members Jared Franz a...

In this episode, we'll be shining the spotlight on our dedicated front office staff. These are the friendly faces you encounter when you first step into Chandler School, and they play a pivotal role in ensuring that every visitor, parent, and student has a warm and welcoming experience.

We're excited to introduce Episode 7 of the Chandler Chats podcast, where we bring you a fascinating conversation with  Director of Finance Natalie Morales  and members of our Business Office Team,  Rosa Ramirez  and  Maureen Short '84 ! In this engaging episode, we delve into the world of numbers and finance at Chandler School. Our guests share their genuine passion for working with famil...

We're delighted to present Episode 6 of the Chandler Chats podcast, featuring the harmonious insights of  Music & Performing Arts teachers Brandi Williams-Moore  and  James Connor!  In this captivating episode, our dynamic guests take center stage as they talk about music and performing arts at Chandler. Discover the rhythm and melody that they infuse into their teaching approaches, creati...

We're thrilled to unveil Episode 5 , featuring the insightful perspectives of 6th Grade History Teacher and Debate Coach  Andy Hulm  and 8th Grade History Teacher and Debate Coach  Heather Castle ! In this compelling episode, our dynamic guests delve into the enriching world of middle school debate, shedding light on the invaluable benefits it brings, including honing public speaking skills an...

In this exciting installment, we are privileged to feature the dynamic duo of  Math Department Chair Mateo Reyes  and  Lower School Math Curriculum Director Cara Gancedo . Join us as we explore the fascinating world of  Illustrative Math  (IM) and delve into what it truly means to be a "math person." Discover the passion that drives these trailblazers as they discuss strategies to foster...