Janet Wantage
Janet Wantage is an accomplished Educational Coordinator with extensive experience in advancing educational outcomes and fostering student success. With over 30 years in education, Janet has served in diverse roles including Special Education Coordinator, Behavior Coach, Day Treatment Center Coordinator, and Transition/Workforce Development Specialist. She currently brings her expertise to North Florida, where she designed and implemented programs that empower students, particularly those navigating transitions and facing unique challenges.
Holding a PhD in Educational Leadership Management from Northcentral University, a Superintendent’s License in Superintendency and Educational System Administration and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from The Ohio State University, Janet, having experience with rural, suburban, and urban districts, blends strong academic foundation with practical leadership experience. Her skills in collaboration, negotiation, budgeting, teacher coaching, crisis intervention, and program development have contributed to a highly meaningful career. She has a track record of building innovative programs, strongly supporting families, involving all stakeholders, and creating lasting partnerships within the community to benefit students and families.
Janet is driven by a commitment to education and community service, with a vision to inspire transformative learning experiences. Her leadership style reflects integrity, creativity, and adaptability, enabling her to develop programs that address the evolving needs of students, families, educators and the community. Known for her thoughtful approach, creativity, and collaborative spirit, Janet continues to make a significant impact in the North Florida area, both in education and the community.
• The Ohio State University - MA
• Northcentral University -PhD
• Georgia Foundation Gary Lee Award
• Bethesda Award for teaching children with developmental delays
• Presidential Scholar
• Trustee - Lake Asbury Municipal Benefits Services District
• Member - Lake Asbury/Penney Farms Citizens Advisory Committee
What do you attribute your success to?
My personal philosophy is to show care, concern, commitment and compassion while identifying and addressing barriers to others' success. Through a collaborative process, I seek to empower others towards their best success. It is always a team effort!
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Decision making is difficult. Never make a knee-jerk decision. Take time and make time to thoughtfully process. Always remember no decision is a decision and always walk into the danger.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the education field is to follow their inspiration and pursue their passion.
Take the time to look at each and every situation through the lens of the other person. Every person's perspective is different and until we see from their angle, we cannot actively engage or effect change.
My most important advice, though, is to find your style. While you go through college experiences you have to, in most cases, do things the way your professor and mentor teacher tell you to do them. When you receive your first class, it may not work. Why? Because it isn't your style. Lend yourself some grace and experiment with what works for you. Teaching is still an art and your success will come when you have your own unique style. Generally, this will emerge in February. Your administration understands this.
Elementary, middle and high schools each attract unique people, finding where you fit is important for your professional growth. For example, education begins in the close-knit community of elementary schools, which are chock-full of nurturing people, who are generally the most creative with room decorations. Middle schools are full of collegiality, as our teachers wrestle with emerging teens and the various challenges that entails. High Schools are full of educators who love their subject content and are committed to watching children turn into young adults.
Education is very rewarding. If you are called to the challenges, go forward with gusto!!
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Compensation in education has become increasingly challenging. While it appears to many, on the outside of education, that we have summers off and holiday time, we are doing our CEUs and gaining further knowledge to expand what we can offer students and families during these times. During the shorter periods of off time, we are planning for our classes and refreshing our classrooms. Our day does not end when the students leave. This is our time to make those phone calls to parents, telling them how good their child did that day, and, of course, to grade papers. An educator is always working.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Relationships, collaboration and ethics, not necessarily in that order, are paramount to success in both professional and personal life. I value God above all others and seek his guidance daily. I need collaboration in my life because life is not a one way street, personally or professionally. Lastly, everything I do, I need to do with the highest ethical code and concern for others, because every person deserves dignity.