Introduction
Claire Stoermer is best known publicly as the mother of award-winning actress and singer Zendaya, but her own story reflects decades of work as an educator, arts advocate, and entrepreneur. Long before her daughter became a global star, Stoermer spent years teaching in underfunded Oakland schools and working behind the scenes in local theatre.
This article explores her career, family life, and the influence she has had on Zendaya’s path to success.
Who Is Claire Stoermer?
Claire Marie Stoermer is an American former elementary school teacher and entrepreneur, best recognized as the mother of actress Zendaya. She spent nearly two decades teaching at Fruitvale Elementary School in Oakland, California, the same school her daughter later attended.
Beyond her family connection to Zendaya, Stoermer built her own respected career in education and later launched a jewelry business following her retirement from teaching.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Claire Marie Stoermer |
| Profession | Former Teacher, Entrepreneur |
| Known For | Mother of actress Zendaya; founder of Kizzmet Jewelry |
| Teaching Career | Fruitvale Elementary School, Oakland, California |
| Business | Kizzmet Jewelry |
| Former Spouse | Kazembe Ajamu Coleman (divorced 2016) |
| Children | Six, including Zendaya |
A Career Built on Education
Claire Stoermer dedicated much of her professional life to teaching in Oakland’s inner-city schools, working at institutions she has described as consistently underfunded. Rather than sticking strictly to a standard curriculum, she made a point of introducing her students to the arts, including Shakespeare, and exposing them to experiences beyond their everyday surroundings.
Zendaya has spoken publicly about the impact of watching her mother teach, crediting her with going “above and beyond” to give students access to opportunities they might not have otherwise had.
Work in Theatre
Alongside her teaching career, Stoermer worked as a house manager at the California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda, California. This connection to live theatre exposed her family to the performing arts early on, an experience Zendaya has cited as a meaningful influence on her decision to pursue acting.
Supporting Zendaya’s Early Career
As Zendaya began pursuing acting and modeling as a child, Claire Stoermer worked to balance her teaching career with supporting her daughter’s growing ambitions. She has spoken about the financial strain of working multiple jobs during this period to help make her daughter’s opportunities possible.
This dedication laid important groundwork during Zendaya’s early years, well before her breakout role on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up introduced her to a national audience.
Career and Family Timeline Table
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Teaching Career | Nearly 20 years at Fruitvale Elementary School, Oakland |
| Theatre Work | House manager at California Shakespeare Theater |
| Marriage | To Kazembe Ajamu Coleman |
| Divorce | Filed in August 2016 |
| Business Launch | Founded Kizzmet Jewelry after retiring from teaching |
Kizzmet Jewelry: Claire Stoermer’s Business Venture
After retiring from teaching, Claire Stoermer launched Kizzmet Jewelry, a business specializing in custom pieces made with crystals, gems, and natural stones. The venture reflects a creative shift following her decades in education.
Zendaya has been openly supportive of her mother’s business, frequently promoting Kizzmet Jewelry across her social media platforms to her large following, helping give the brand additional visibility.
Family Life and Co-Parenting
Claire Stoermer was married to Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, Zendaya’s father, who also worked as a teacher before transitioning to become his daughter’s manager as her career grew. The couple filed for divorce in August 2016.
Despite their separation, both parents have remained actively involved in their children’s lives. Stoermer is the mother of six children, including Zendaya, and the family has continued to present a united, supportive presence at public events over the years, including appearances together at award shows and other public engagements involving their daughter.
Media Appearances and Public Life
While Claire Stoermer has largely stayed out of the entertainment industry herself, she has made public appearances tied to her family’s story. She appeared as a guest on Talks with Mama Tina, a talk show hosted by Tina Knowles, where she spoke about the challenges of working multiple jobs to support her daughter’s early acting career.
She also maintains a public presence promoting her jewelry business and has been photographed at numerous public events alongside Zendaya over the years, including award ceremonies and sporting events like the US Open.
Why Claire Stoermer’s Story Resonates With Fans
Several factors help explain the continued interest in Claire Stoermer’s story:
- Her decades-long career as a dedicated public school teacher
- Her behind-the-scenes role in shaping Zendaya’s early exposure to the arts
- Her successful transition into entrepreneurship through Kizzmet Jewelry
- Her ongoing, supportive presence in her daughter’s personal and professional life
FAQs About Claire Stoermer
1. Who is Claire Stoermer? Claire Stoermer is a former elementary school teacher and entrepreneur, best known as the mother of actress and singer Zendaya.
2. Where did Claire Stoermer teach? She taught for nearly 20 years at Fruitvale Elementary School in Oakland, California, the same school Zendaya attended.
3. What business does Claire Stoermer run? She founded Kizzmet Jewelry, a custom jewelry business specializing in pieces made with crystals and natural stones.
4. Is Claire Stoermer still married to Zendaya’s father? No, she filed for divorce from Kazembe Ajamu Coleman in August 2016, though both remain involved in their children’s lives.
5. How many children does Claire Stoermer have? She has six children, with Zendaya being the youngest.
Conclusion
Claire Stoermer‘s story reflects years of quiet dedication, first as a devoted educator in Oakland’s public schools and later as a supportive parent during her daughter’s rise to global fame. Her own transition into entrepreneurship through Kizzmet Jewelry shows a continued spirit of reinvention well beyond her teaching career.
While she is often introduced simply as Zendaya’s mother, Claire Stoermer’s own journey through education, theatre, and business reflects a meaningful story in its own right.
