Jo-Anne grew up in London, Ontario, and attended London Teachers College. She received her bachelor's degree from York University and her master's degree from Niagara University. She also holds an International Special Education Diploma. In her career as a teacher she has taught grades K through 8 and served as a board consultant, administrator, and instructor for the University of Western Ontario. She is currently supervisor, instructor, and cocoordinator at the Faculty of Education, Niagara University, Ontario site. Her areas of specialty are science, language, math and technology, and early childhood learning.