ABOUT
I’m deeply committed to transforming how educators show up for themselves and in turn, their students and school communities.
Hi! I'm Jen.
I founded Empowered Educator® in 2020 as a response to teacher burnout from the pandemic.
I quickly realized that while burnout was exacerbated by the pandemic, the underlying issue required introducing a new paradigm of teaching; one that prioritizes social-emotional well-being to transform how educators show up for their students, colleagues and themselves.
During my first year in the classroom, I realized that while I felt well-prepared in terms of content knowledge, pedagogy, and educational philosophy, I had no real understanding of who my students were. This realization led me to dive into research on how we learn, through the lens of cognitive neuroscience—a journey that ultimately inspired me to earn my Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. Over the course of my career, I’ve come to believe that the most generous thing educators can do for their students is to take care of themselves.
where I started
My insatiable curiosity continues to make the Empowered Educator® programs relevant and reflective of the most up-to-date research in mindset, leadership, and cognitive neuroscience. I am committed to inspiring teachers and school leaders to discover their voice and maintain a healthy longevity throughout their careers.
I began as a public school music teacher for 15 years in Central New York.
Since its inception, I’ve reached teachers and school leaders all over the world through Empowered Educator®
Strategy Consultant
Kathleen is a transformational leader who thrives on turning potential into progress. With 15 years of experience in EdTech, SaaS, and nonprofit leadership, she specializes in strategic planning, omnichannel marketing, and organizational growth. She taught for six years in Pre-K through 12th grades, and also designed and led educational programs in both online and in-person settings. Kathleen holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Music, a unique combination that fuels her ability to think strategically while understanding the power of creativity and education.
Kristin Schmoke
Program Director & Head Coach
Parent Coach
Jillian is a trauma informed certified transformation coach. She specializes in radical self-love, metacognition, consciousness, and the unification of mind and body to help people transform the way they experience themselves and life. Her expertise provides a safe space for clients to grow towards expansive self-love and self-actualization. Her passion for personal and professional growth is the foundation for her calling: to make the world a kinder, more loving place. Take a look at this CLIP from Jillian's impact talk. (Watch the full talk HERE)
Kristin Schmoke is a certified parent coach and mom of four, dedicated to helping you simplify the challenges of parenthood while fostering deeper, more meaningful connections with children. With 25 years of experience as a teacher, Kristin has had the unique opportunity to observe child development at every stage, allowing her to refine her approach and better support families. Her education and own experiences navigating the ups and downs of parenting have shaped her perspective, giving her a fresh, empathetic approach to helping parents build stronger, more connected relationships with their kids.
Meet the Team
Kathleen Staten, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Lisa Gaede
Client Success Manager
Lisa spent 30 years as an elementary school speech-language pathologist. She thrives on personal interaction and cultivating relationships with those that take part in Empowered Educator programs, and provides backend support to the Empowered Educator team. Lisa loves watching the remarkable growth Empowered Educator participants experience, as they step into their authentic selves and power.
We believe the most generous thing you can do for other people is take care of yourself.
You're invited to a FREE 30-minute discovery call to discuss your goals and how to get you to where you want to be.
Book a FREE Discovery Call With Jen
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