Melodie Chandler is the founder of Journey of a Joyful Life in Texas. The vision is to advocate for orphaned children with special needs in our community and around the world. We want to normalize special needs adoption by bringing awareness and encouragement to families about how amazing life with a special needs child can be.

Melodie Chandler is a native of Montgomery County. She attended Sam Houston State University and Graduated with a BA in Music Education.

She taught Music in Huntsville, Willis and Magnolia ISDs before moving to Wuhan, China in 2011 to teach English at JiangHan University.

After one year of teaching English as a Second Language, Melodie moved to Guiyang, China to serve in a foster home for children with special needs.

After the first six months of serving there, she became the director of the foster home. During that time, she formed a board and with the help of that board formed the 501c3, Journey of a Joyful Life. During Melodie’s 8 years in China, she fostered over 100 children, all with differing abilities and needs. Many children were adopted into forever families all over the USA.

Melodie will share stories from China and the U.S. and the ongoing work of the Journey School for the Uniquely Gifted and Talented continuing with passion the work begun in China.