Janina R. Johnkoski

Education

6th Year Supervision and Administration, University of Hartford

MS in Elementary Education, St. Joseph University

BS Career Writing, Roger Williams University

Janina’s first career was spending 30 years in formal and informal educational settings, starting as an elementary educator and moving into elementary administration.  Her experiences were in both rural and urban settings igniting a determination of equity awareness and facing inequalities blatantly present in education.

Janina’s next chapter moved her into informal education, as the School Improvement Team Coordinator for the State Education Resource Center (SERC).  As part of SERC’s vision and mission, Janina focused her professional development through a lens of equity and realizing racism exists.  Collaborating with schools across Connecticut implementing embedded professional development Janina coached educators in the areas of Equity, Data Driven Decision Making and Instructional Strategies.  She partnered with the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) developing curriculum in the areas of Math and Reading.  This experience prepared Janina for becoming the Director of Professional Development and School Programs for the Connecticut Science Center (CSC).  During her tenure with CSC she once again partnered with the CSDE developing the Next Generation of Science Standards and providing professional development to NGSS facilitators and educators.  Janina’s greatest accomplishments at the CSC was launching the Mandell Academy for Teachers for continuous and embedded professional development, and publishing and presenting a White Paper on the “Impact of Embedded, Whole School Professional Development” at the International Education Conference (2014) in Vancouver, BC.  

Janina retired from education in June 2021.  Unwilling to end her incredible journey in education, Janina rejoined her UHart community in September 2021, as the ENHP Health Sciences Office Coordinator.  Janina is thrilled to bring her rich experiences to higher education.  Her passions have always been providing opportunities for students to realize their potential and surpass them and breaking down barriers.  

Janina was recognized as a 2023 Outstanding Staff Member for UHart.

Interest Areas

• Family
• South Windsor Special Olympics
• Cooking
• Leading Spiritual and Motivational Events