Meet
Chelsea Chandler
My Background
I'm Chelsea Chandler. I'm a mom, a wife, a science teacher, and someone who believes deeply in the power of community. I'm also a skier, a soccer player, a traveler, a coffee enthusiast, a lover of fantasy books & movies, and happiest when I'm outside with my family.
Since moving here in 2014, I've dedicated my career to making this community stronger. I worked to advance community health initiatives with Cowlitz County Health and Human Services, and managed the Teen Parent Program for Longview School District, helping young parents stay in school while building better futures for themselves and their children. Today, I teach science and STEM at Monticello Middle School, where every day I get to watch young people discover what they're capable of.
I grew up in Montesano in Grays Harbor County. My mom was a school district secretary, and my dad has spent his career as a commercial fisherman in Alaska. Like many families in Southwest Washington, we worked hard, watched every dollar to make ends meet.
After graduating from Montesano High School, I attended the University of Montana, where I earned my degree in Biology and my teaching certification. My husband and I then joined the Peace Corps and spent two years living in rural Jamaica. We partnered with coffee farmers on agroforestry projects, local non profits to solve community wide public health & sanitation issues, and taught environmental education at a local primary school.
When our Peace Corps service ended, we moved to Cowlitz County. Coming back to western Washington had never been in my plan but I married a forester and this is where the trees grow. We didn't plan to stay, we thought 5 years tops. But we made friends with amazing people and loved what this area had to offer, so Cowlitz became our home.
Throughout every stage of my career, one thing has remained constant: I've always believed that making the world a better place starts with serving the community you're part of.