Lauren Lemons

With more than 25 years of education experience, Dr. Lauren Lemons Odell currently serves as a lecturer with the Educational Leadership division of Kremen School of Education at California State University, Fresno. In addition, she recently served in PK-12 public education as the Associate Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Professional Development for Modesto City Schools. In her various administrative roles, Dr. Odell has overseen Curriculum and Instruction for all PreK-12 programs, including distance learning structures that were implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Dr. Odell has extensive experience in professional learning for management, certificated, and classified personnel. She regularly coaches Site Principals and District-Level Administrators. She also facilitates Race and Social Justice, Equity and Access system structures, with a focus on English Learners and traditionally marginalized student populations. She specializes in state and categorical funding and supporting LEAs with FPM visits.

Dr. Odell has focused her career on equity and access for all students. She has a breadth of expertise leading multiple school districts with their curriculum and instruction, professional development and English Learner programs, as well as integrating social-emotional learning and special education to ensure student needs are met and they are provided with supportive resources.

Lauren is a proud graduate of Fresno State (Go Bulldogs!) with a Doctorate and Master’s in Education, with a focus on race and social justice. She also possesses her Master’s in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and her Bachelor’s in History and Political Science from Vanguard University. She is a credentialed administrator and teacher in the state of California, and truly has a heart for education and equity across all student populations.

Dr. Odell believes in a work-life balance, and her weekends are filled with fun-loving life adventures with her husband, teenage daughter, and their three bulldogs Kodiac, Panda, and Bowie.