Dr. Chaldaris was child to an immigrant father who worked as a cutter in the garment factories of downtown Los Angeles. Her mother sold fabric remnants downtown. From this beginning, she and her family moved around a lot as the work ebbed and flowed. At times, when things were tight, her family was homeless. She experienced, first hand, the open animosity people held for her family because of their background and income status. By high school, despite high test scores, she was counseled out of thinking about college. "Kids like you don't go to college" was the advice given by her school counselor. Months later, she dropped out of high school. Despite holding odd jobs, her lack of degree made things difficult for her. At that same time, her mother began to go to college. Encouraged by her mother, Dr. Chaldaris went back to school to earn her high school diploma. She earned her Associates with honors, six days later, she earned her high school diploma. With an, "It's never too late to start again." attitude, she went on and earned her Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in language acquisition. She continued breaking barriers earning her teaching credential and working in Title 1 schools. After 10 years in the classroom, she earned her Masters degree with distinction and an administrative credential. She became a teacher specialist and administrator working her way to a Doctor of Education degree at the school she was kept from even applying to, the University of Southern California.