Why GiGi’s – Jan’s Story

Jan is a dedicated educator and environmental advocate who spent her formative years in the small town of Yatesville, GA. Her passion for the natural world led her to pursue degrees at the University of Georgia, where she earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Forest Environmental Resources, followed by a master’s degree in Forest Resources with a focus on education. Throughout her career, Jan has made significant contributions to various educational seminars. She began her journey by teaching high school students in the prestigious Governor’s Honors Program before transitioning to Valdosta State University, where she imparted her knowledge of biology to non-biology majors and early education students. In her role at Columbus State University’s Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, Jan further expanded her impact by developing educational and public programs, organizing fund-raising events, and fostering community engagement. She excelled in managing the facility and its staff while ensuring the care of the grounds and wildlife was a top priority. To complement her extensive experience, Jan also taught middle school science, nurturing the next generation’s curiosity about the environment. Jan is a mom of 2 kids, her daughter has Down syndrome and Autism. Jan works to ensure that her kids work to live up to their greatest potential.