Our Story So Far
The Lavender Learning Lab represents a collaboration between Lauren Lodato and Katelyn Owens that was formally initiated in the early months of 2023 with the development of our first workshop for early childhood educators. Since our first conference, we have explored our collective identity and developed our shared mission.
Lauren Lodato (she/they) is an early childhood educational consultant, adjunct professor, teaching coach, DIRFloortime play therapist, and dedicated advocate with over a decade of experience in the ECE field. She has taught as a lead teacher in ECE classrooms, developed technical support for local childcare providers, implemented intervention services for families, and worked with child-focused non-profit organizations. Most recently, she taught Foundations of Child Development with the newly formed Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU).
Katelyn Owens (she/they) has spent the past decade providing education and professional development on LGBTQ visibility and gender-based violence prevention. They began freelancing with a mind on building community with other change-makers in 2019 to establish a foundation for more creative and collaborative projects to increase LGBTQ safety, visibility, healing, and joy.
While the Lavender Learning Lab is a young venture, the dreams that made this collaboration a reality extend much further back. Our long-term vision is extensive but helps to inform our strategic decisions along our present path. We hope in the long term to establish our collaboration within the ECE community as a hub for diversity and equity initiatives and programs that make a positive impact in the lives of educators, children, and their caregivers and families.
It’s great to meet you!
Lavender Learning Lab 