Stefanie Lachenauer is a passionate educator, speaker, trainer, and advocate for trauma-informed practices, student mental health, and educator well-being. Based in New Jersey, she teaches 7th and 8th grade and created two innovative courses, Unified Global Leadership and Skills for Success, which focus on student voice, leadership, and social-emotional development.
As the 2025 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year, Stefanie champions mindfulness, wellness, and trauma-sensitive practices in education. She continues to support school and district initiatives focused on staff well-being, self-care, and trauma-informed approaches, building on her past leadership as a District Wellness Champion, Title I Family Engagement Coordinator, and founding co-chair of the Compassionate Care Team.
Stefanie holds multiple certifications in mindfulness and trauma-informed practices. She is a certified trauma and resilience practitioner, coach, and trainer. She presents nationally and internationally on social-emotional learning, mindfulness, and neuroscience-informed strategies that help create safe and supportive school environments.
Her commitment to empowerment extends beyond the classroom. Stefanie founded and advises the Youth Action Board, a student-led mental health organization, and the Reflections Club, which equips middle school students with essential coping skills and resilience strategies. She also leads the Joyful Journeys Travel and Adventure Club, taking students on service-learning and leadership trips around the world. Her first book, Let the Glitter Settle: Mindfulness for Teens, will be released in October 2025 and offers practical tools for navigating stress and self-discovery.
In addition to her Board service at ATN, Stefanie proudly serves on the Board of Directors for the Healthy Body Healthy Mind Initiative, a nonprofit founded by a former student that promotes wellness across communities. She is passionate about travel, service work, and creating opportunities that empower others. She has visited over 50 countries and brings a global perspective to everything she does. In all aspects of her work, Stefanie embodies the transformative power of education and is a dedicated advocate for mental health and wellness, inspiring both students and staff to become agents of change.
