Katherine is a contemplative writer and holistic teacher. Katherine is the author of the critically-acclaimed YA contemporary novels, HOW TO BE BRAVE (2015) and THE BEST POSSIBLE ANSWER (2016), both from St. Martin’s Press/Griffin Teen. She is also the writer, voice, and co-creator of Yoga with Eleonora on PillowFortTV and the co-writer with Vanitha Swaminathan of the forthcoming picture book, A RAINBOW INSIDE MY BODY, illustrated by Holly Hatam (Viking 2024). In addition to her current position as Associate Professor of English at Pasadena City College, Katherine is proud of her work as a middle, high school, and community college teacher for over two decades. Katherine holds an M.A. in English from the University of California, Irvine as well as an M.S. in Kinesiology, with a focus on Integrative Wellness, from Point Loma Nazarene University. Having completed multiple certifications, including to become a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200, 2011), an ACE-certified personal trainer (2019), and an ACE-certified health coach (2021), while also living with multiple invisible illnesses and neurodivergence, she is passionate about bodily self-determination and health equity. Katherine believes that holistic and inclusive approaches to expression, healing, and growth should be accessible to all. Katherine has served as a board member for the Children's Literature Council of Southern California as a proud team member of We Need Diverse Books. She was especially humbled to be honored as PCC's 2019 Ally of the Year, for her work supporting undocumented and LGBTQ students and with PCC's 2021 Above and Beyond Award for her Outstanding Service to Students. Katherine is also the queer daughter of an immigrant as well as a wandering half-Jew who is obsessed with inclusive, Renewal practices and reclaimed history. As such, Katherine is interested in the stories we tell, the stories we are given, and the ways we can redefine our worlds by discovering which stories are true. She believes in working towards a future that is inclusive, empathetic, and full of love. Connect with Katherine (she/her) on the medias: IG, YouTube, FB, or LinkedIn. |
Check out Katherine’s new series, Yoga with Eleonora on YouTube,
which helps kids of all ages calm their minds and bodies so they can respond to and communicate their feelings in healthy ways. |
*Image of woven fabric from a handmade bag crafted by my grandmother.
Ekaterini Kottaras, whose name I carry,
who lived and died in Greece before I was born,
but whose creative energies I honor and cherish as part of my own
Ekaterini Kottaras, whose name I carry,
who lived and died in Greece before I was born,
but whose creative energies I honor and cherish as part of my own
Copyright 2022 by E. Katherine Kottaras