Chandler Chats with Emily Brown - Honoring Chandler's Legacy with Jeff Stephens

Chandler Chats with Emily Brown - A Legacy Across Generations

This special episode of Chandler Chats brings our story full circle as we wrap our 75th Anniversary festivities. Head of School Emily Brown sits down with Toby Harder ’59 and Jay Harder ’96, a father and son duo whose shared Chandler experience spans generations. Together, they reflect on what it was like to be a student in two very different eras—from Toby’s days in the very first campus in Altadena to Jay’s memories of the 90s campus and the teachers who shaped his journey. Their stories are filled with humor, nostalgia and heartfelt appreciation for the people who made Chandler feel like home. More than anything, this conversation is a reminder that while campuses may change, the relationships at the heart of Chandler endure.

Chandler Chats with Emily Brown - Honoring Chandler's Legacy with Jeff Stephens

In this special episode of Chandler Chats, Head of School Emily Brown sits down with Jeff Stephens, Chandler’s third Head of School, as part of our 75th anniversary celebration. Serving from 1979 to 2001, Jeff reflects on more than two decades of leadership and the people, traditions and values that helped shape Chandler into the school we know today. From his early days as a headmaster in San Francisco to his time guiding Chandler through years of growth, Jeff shares stories of a deeply committed faculty, supportive parents and a caring, connected community. He also shares heartfelt memories of Chandler’s founders, Tom and Catherine Chandler. This conversation is a look back at Chandler’s history and a reminder that the strength of our community has always been rooted in the relationships we build and the values we carry forward.

Chandler Chats with Emily Brown - Embracing All Families

We’re excited to share the latest episode of Chandler Chats with Emily Brown, featuring special guest Dave Edwards, founder of Gender Inclusive Schools, alongside our own Hilary Blunt, Director of Belonging and Strategic Engagement. Many of our families may remember Dave’s visit to campus in March of 2026, where he led a Learning Together Community Education session and worked closely with our faculty in professional development. In this conversation, Dave and Hilary join Emily to continue that important dialogue, exploring how schools and families can work together to create environments where every child and every family feels seen, respected and valued. Together, they discuss Chandler’s ongoing work toward gender inclusivity, the importance of accurate and affirming language, and how partnerships, both within our community and with organizations like Welcoming Schools, help strengthen a culture of belonging. The episode also highlights the role we all play, as educators and caregivers, in fostering understanding, empathy and connection. We hope you’ll take a few moments to listen and reflect alongside us.

Chandler Chats with Emily Brown - Building Connections That Last

In this episode of Chandler Chats, Head of School Emily Brown sits down with two cherished members of our faculty, Mr. Donny Kincey and Mr. Robert Calderon, known to generations of students as Mr. Donny and Mr. Cal. Both were recently honored with Faculty Awards: Mr. Cal received The Durairaj Family Endowed Faculty Award in Memory of Mr. Vernon L. Hill, and Mr. Donny was awarded the Max & Vivian Yang Endowed Faculty Award.  Together, they talk about what it means to truly connect with students, balancing warmth with clear expectations, building trust and creating an environment where students feel both supported and challenged. They also reflect on the many unique opportunities that make Chandler special, from hands-on learning experiences to student-led initiatives that make our community unique.

Chandler Chats with Emily Brown - Athletics at Chandler

In this episode of Chandler Chats, Emily Brown sits down with Director of Athletics Bill Anderson and Spanish Department Chair (and multi-sport coach) Oscar Lugo for a dynamic conversation about the heart behind Chandler athletics. From Run Club mornings to the Paul Korn Invitational, and the Five-Sport Award to our upcoming Sports-A-Thon, we explore how athletics at Chandler is about so much more than competition. It’s about commitment, character, teamwork and the confidence students build when they challenge themselves across seasons. This conversation offers a meaningful look at how Chandler’s athletic program helps students grow on the field, on the track and far beyond.