About CJ Hengel

Growing up in Evanston, Ill. as Carol J. Kazanjian, the youngest of three siblings, CJ Hengel learned about compassion from her sister with Special needs. It was a loving Christian home, where she lived with her parents, first generation Armenians, and grandmother, a genocide survivor. In addition to compassion, values of gratitude, and even forgiveness taught and modeled. CJ has always had a flair for the dramatic and performing arts. Whether dancing, learning a variety of instruments, (thank you Mel Bay!), writing songs and poems and/or being involved in community or school theater productions either on stage or in the pit playing cello. She began teaching music in high school and graduated from Western Michigan University with a double major in Music Education and Music Therapy. After completing her Master’s Degree in Special Education, CJ taught Special Needs students during the school day and after hours continued her music teaching, performing and writing. In addition to a 30 year (and counting!) marriage to husband Matt, CJ is also mother to 3 highly successful young adults, several 4 legged sons and daughters along the way, and 5 amazingly bright Grands. 

Teaching Social Emotional Learning, (SEL) and developing relevant curriculum is a longtime passion of CJ’s. All her books are written in clever verse, with entertaining characters and engaging story lines leading to meaningful dialogue on relatable and sometimes difficult topics, all inspired by real life situations. (SEL) has a positive impact on a wide range of outcomes, including academic performance, healthy relationships, mental wellness, and executive functioning to name a few. Therefore ever current and relevant. 

CJ credits her creativity and high energy to her faith in God and his sustaining strength, her quick wit and sense of humor and family who continue to give her love, support and encouragement in all her endeavors.