Welcome to Heartwise Learning!

I'm Kendra Fehrer, PhD,  founder and principal of this mission-driven organization. I have over 20 years experience serving youth, schools, and communities as a researcher, educator, practitioner, and policy advocate. My background includes teaching (from preschool- to college-age),  designing curriculum, developing programs, evaluating programs, and coaching district and community leaders.

I have written extensively about community schools, school-based mental health, youth development, and family engagement. My research has been published widely in Education Week and Education Sciences, and by Rowman & Littlefield and Harvard Education Press. My latest book, The Way We Do School: The Making of Oakland’s Full-Service Community School District, (Harvard Education Press 2020), chronicles the powerful journey of one district’s historic efforts to make its schools dramatically more compassionate, connected, relevant, and rigorous for all students.

At Heartwise Learning, I bring a research-informed, human-centered lens to help mission-driven organizations learn and grow to serve students' whole selves. My approach is collaborative, data-driven, and equity-focused. I draw on the best that research has to offer, and bring it to life with pragmatic tools, guidance, and strategy, tailored to help your students, families, schools, and communities thrive.

When I'm not working, I enjoy teaching yoga and meditation, leading outdoor nature-based classes for young kids, stewarding a suburban wildlife habitat, and having adventures with my family. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my work.