Meet Dr. Judy Richardson
My Life as a Parent, Teacher, Caretaker & Lifelong Learner
The Early Years—Learning to Parent While Already in Motion
Judy Richardson began her teaching career in 1966 as a newly widowed single parent. Over time, she remarried and became both a mother and stepmother in a blended family. These life experiences shaped her deep commitment to encouraging and supporting other parents.
Educating Parents Through the Joy and the Mess
Early in her career, Judy combined her background in journalism with a desire to connect with families by founding and editing Iowa Parent and Family, a widely circulated parenting tabloid. While serving as Director of Community Education for Des Moines Public Schools, she regularly shared parenting tips on WHO radio and became a certified trainer for The Parent Project—a national program supporting parents of teens dealing with drug use and destructive behaviors.
Her dedication to substance abuse education extended to local media, where she facilitated and appeared on a televised series offering guidance to parents. She also led parenting workshops for immigrant families and coordinated speaker events at community conferences, expanding access to practical, empathetic support for diverse audiences.
” Learn as though you were going to live forever. “
Training Childcare Workers and Early Childhood Educators
As her career progressed, Judy turned her focus toward training childcare workers and early childhood educators. She oversaw homeschooling programs, supported a local daycare center, and collaborated with Head Start. Across five decades in education—teaching and administering in public schools and universities—she consistently worked to provide families with accessible, trustworthy information.
Growing Old and Shifting Roles as a Grandmother and Daughter
With time, Judy’s role shifted again. Her children became parents, and she embraced the title of Grandma Judy. After her father’s passing, she took on the responsibility of caring for her mother. Now in her 80s, she watches with quiet humor and appreciation as her children begin, in subtle ways, to parent her.
Still Learning—Still Telling the Truth
A lifelong learner, Judy lives by the motto: “Learn as though you were going to live forever.” She continues to reflect, ask questions, and share hard-earned wisdom. Her writing comes not from algorithms or scripts—but from lived experience. Through stories, insights, and honesty, she offers encouragement to parents of all ages.
With love (and a touch of mischief), she acknowledges her children, who may not always approve of her storytelling. Names have been changed when necessary… to protect the innocent.
Dr. Judith Richardson (Wendel) Credentials & Resume
Education
- Des Moines Technical High School – 1961
- B. A. English in 1965 from Drake University
- M. A. in English from Drake University
- PhD in Education from Drake University
Professional Career
Dr. Judy has served as teacher, grant writer, Assistant Principal at Brody and DM Tech throughout her professional career. Additionally, she coordinated the creation of Central Campus. She retired from Des Moines Public Schools as Director of Community Education in 2002 and continued to teach at colleges and universities in Central Iowa.
Before her second retirement in 2011, she served as Interim Dean for William Penn University’s College for Working Adults.