If you want to be inspired to make more of a difference in the world, sit down for a chat with Kate Jerome.
Kate has spent her professional life pursuing one core mission: to make an impact. As a teacher, publishing executive, children’s book author and intergenerational communication advocate, Jerome’s work is grounded in a passion for connection—between people, across generations, and through the transformative power of the written word. Now, as the author of the Levenger Master Class™ workbook How to Write a Children’s Picture Book and her new guided keepsake journal Dear Grandkids, You’re Welcome! (The Real Stories, Laughs, and Lessons You'll Actually Want to Hear), Kate’s inspiring career path represents not just an arc of success but a continual evolution of purpose.
A Scientist’s Curiosity, A Teacher’s Heart
Jerome’s journey began with a decision many young people face: What do I want to do with my life? For her, it came down to science or education. “Do I become a research scientist or an educator?” she remembers wondering. But as someone always driven by curiosity and a deep love of learning, the answer was both—and more.
She began her career as a high school biology teacher and worked as a substitute teacher in Chicago, but it was while tutoring homebound students that she had a revelation. “That was so inspiring because I could take a kid who was a D student and turn them into a B student through this constant personal attention,” she recalls. The direct impact of one-on-one engagement lit a fire in her—one that would guide her through every chapter that followed.
Mastering the Publishing Sphere
Jerome realized that while working one-on-one with students was powerful, reaching thousands—or even millions—through publishing could exponentially amplify her impact.
One pivotal day, she noticed a classified ad in the Chicago Tribune for an entry-level science editor position. “I didn’t even know what a science editor did,” she laughs. “But I thought, ‘I bet I could do it.’” That instinct proved right—she was hired on the spot.
Her early projects, including a high school biology textbook and an innovative elementary science curriculum, were enormous successes. The latter claimed 85% of the market—a testament not only to her editorial instincts but to her understanding of what truly engages young minds.
From there, Jerome rose rapidly through the publishing ranks, becoming the first woman president of Scott Foresman and, simultaneously, a senior vice president on the executive board of HarperCollins. “It was a joy and a delight,” she says. “I loved the impact of working on programs and projects that influenced hundreds of thousands of people.”
A Leap of Faith
But at the height of her executive career, Jerome made a bold decision: she walked away. “At 40, I resigned without a plan,” she says. ““I loved the responsibility of executive management but I missed the daily hands-on creative work of dreaming up new programs.” That leap of faith led her to the world of children’s literature.
Her first book, Maggie’s Rocky Reef Adventures, was commissioned by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was the beginning of a new chapter—one that required her to go from publishing veteran to rookie writer. “It was exciting but humbling,” she admits. “I had a lot to learn.”
Soon after, a publisher from National Geographic reached out, offering her the chance to write science books for kids. For someone who’d once struggled to choose between science and education, it was, as she puts it, “meant to be.”
Writing with Purpose
Jerome discovered a new passion in writing fiction and nonfiction children’s picture books—ones that sparked curiosity and joy in young readers. “There’s nothing like watching a child’s face when they have that ‘aha’ moment,” she says. “That lightbulb moment is everything.”
To date, Kate has published more than 200 titles, including the New York Times bestseller Who Was Amelia Earhart? Her most recent series, OceanX Adventures, is being created in collaboration with the Dalio Foundation’s OceanX initiative.
Her Levenger Master Class workbook, How to Write a Children’s Picture Book, distills decades of experience into a hands-on guide. “Because there are so few words and so few pages, people think writing a picture book is easy,” she explains. “But it’s one of the most complex forms of storytelling. Each word matters. It’s not about dumbing things down—it’s about lifting children up.”
Her unique perspective—having sat on both sides of the desk as a corporate strategist and a creative—gives her rare and valuable insight. She knows how to approach the art of writing with the strategic mind of a publisher, and how to craft words that truly resonate with young readers and the adults who bring stories to life for children by reading aloud.
For Jerome, reading is never a solitary act. “Children’s books are meant to be read aloud,” she says. “It’s performance art. It’s about sharing stories, starting conversations, and building connection.”
Bridging Generations
This philosophy crystallized during her fellowship year at Stanford University’s Distinguished Careers Institute where she aligned with the Center on Longevity, focusing on building intergenerational bonds through storytelling and communication. “We’ve added decades to our lives over the last century. But what are we doing with those extra years?” she asks. “The exchange of ideas between generations is critical—especially in a world changing this fast.”
In her view, children are our future centenarians, and the relationships we foster today will help them navigate that long future. “Young people seek validation—they want to be heard. Older people seek purpose—they want to feel useful. Meaningful communication bridges that gap.” As a mother and grandmother, Jerome brings this perspective into her personal life as well. “My kids are my heroes,” she says. “They truly inspire me and bring such joy. It’s wonderful to have them as peers.”
Conversations That Matter
True to her mission, Jerome just collaborated on a new pilot program called “Dock Talks” at Charleston’s South Carolina Aquarium—an in-person program that blends ocean science with communication skills. “We teach kids how to ask good questions, how to actively listen, how to manage their nerves when speaking,” she says. “And we do it all through environmental education.”
It’s a holistic approach—one that nurtures both intellectual and emotional intelligence. “I’m hopeful that the next generation will find solutions,” she says. “They’re very aware of conservation and the environment. They give me hope.”
The Secret of Lifelong Learning
Jerome’s insatiable curiosity keeps her exploring new creative frontiers. At the moment, she’s working on the first draft of her debut women’s fiction novel—a mystery/thriller for adult readers. True to form, she refuses to rest on her laurels. “I’ve always believed in lifelong learning,” she says. “You can pivot to wonderful new things at any age.”
Her Levenger Master Class contribution came about thanks to her longstanding relationship with company founders Steve and Lori Leveen, whom she met during their Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute fellowship. When Steve called to ask if she’d be interested in writing a guide for aspiring picture book writers, she didn’t hesitate. “The team at Levenger has the same commitment to quality that I do… so it was both an honor and a pleasure to work with them,” she says.
Legacy in Progress
From biology classrooms to executive boardrooms, from aquariums to intergenerational think tanks, Kate Jerome’s career defies easy categorization. What unites it all is a core value: connection, and the desire to make an impact on the world.
“I want my readers to be delighted,” she says. “I want to inspire conversation, to open doors.”
Kate’s story is an inspiration to anyone on a creative journey, and now she brings her expertise to a new audience with her Levenger Master Class on writing for children.
Kate Jerome is the award-winning author of more than 200 children’s books, including the New York Times and global bestseller Who Was Amelia Earhart? A seasoned publishing executive and expert in intergenerational engagement, she draws on research to design products that foster the connection, purpose and well-being shown to benefit people across generations. Learn more at www.katejerome.com.