Born and raised in McHenry County, Janine is a 10 year alumna of the Community Builders 4-H Club and McHenry County Ambassador Leadership member. Favorite projects included Home Furnishings, Foods, and Floriculture. An important part of Janine’s year, as well as her family's, is the McHenry County Fair. She has remained active in the McHenry 4-H program as a club leader, a sewing and textiles superintendent, fair judge, and a member of the Livestock Auction Committee.
Janine started her professional career after attending Illinois State University as a Special Education teacher and then took a break to raise her family. When her daughters were older she served as the 4-H Youth Program Coordinator in McHenry County before returning to the classroom and her joy of teaching along with obtaining her Masters in Education from Concordia University in ESL Curriculum and Instruction.
Janine believes strongly that 4-H has provided experiences to help her grow as an individual both personally and professionally. She attributes the mantra of “Learning by Doing”, to her 4-H career as a member, a leader, a volunteer, and an Extension professional. Janine and her family - husband Brandon, daughters Madelyn and Abigail - continue to support and participate in 4-H community activities in McHenry County.