Today we’d like to introduce you to Jana Lee

Hi Jana, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

When I think about my life story, my fondest memories are seeing my parents working really hard and me wanting to make sure that I worked just has hard as them. I wanted to make them proud.

My mom was a music teacher, and my dad was a forester (though I didn’t quite figure out what that job was until much later). But they worked tirelessly to make sure my sister and I were set up for academic success and becoming good people. I started playing soccer at five. Both my parents were strong advocates for my sister and I having the same opportunities as the boys, so I played on the boys’ team for a few years. In all the home videos, you can spot me with my pigtails.

I went on to break some records in high school, which still stand today. While all of this was happening—getting scouted for college, handling being a teenager, and trying to make good decisions—my parents continued to be that grounding, supportive force when everything else felt uncertain.

Fast forward a few years, and I became a D1 soccer player at American University. Those big life lessons of tenacity, accountability, time management, sacrifice, and teamwork hit me again. But this time, I had to master those skills without my parents’ immediate support. I had to really hone in on my craft to be a good teammate and a solid starter on the field. My roommate and I would wake up at 4:30 in the morning, not say a word to each other, and just angrily walk to training in the freezing cold. We were in the weight room, on the track, so that when our season rolled around in the blistering heat, we were ready. There was this bond between us, like we were all going through the same thing together.

That feeling of a bond reappeared years later when I became a teacher. I found myself as a first-year special education teacher in the South Bronx of New York City. I had to be accountable, not for myself or my teammates, but for my students. I had to believe in them and hold them to high expectations. The stakes were higher because it wasn’t about me or winning a game anymore; it was about these kids. Time management was real—45 minutes to cover all the content possible. Again, I had a team, whether it was my grade team or the special education department. I respected them and owed them my best work.

As a first-year teacher, I felt lost—staying late after school, losing sleep, and constantly questioning if I was doing anything right. I was just trying to keep my head above water. But now, looking back, I realize I was in training, much like my time on the boys’ team or the college field, figuring things out as I went. Over time, I discovered I had a knack for using data to guide my decisions in the classroom. The more I experimented with collecting and applying that data, the more confident I became in meeting my students’ needs.

These students were growing up in a historically marginalized community—many faced homelessness, lived in shelters, or came from single-parent households, often going to bed hungry. School was their one constant. They deserved to be held to high standards, and I was determined not to let their circumstances define them. So, I focused on the data, using what they demonstrated in class to inform my decisions. That’s how I ensured they received what they truly deserved.

I taught for nearly ten years before realizing I wanted to impact as many school-communities as possible. I went on to create Jana Lee Consulting, LLC, specializing in developing data-driven systems and targeted interventions, all in the name of supporting our most precious population: our students. My passion lies in helping close the achievement gap, empowering teachers, and guiding leaders to develop systems and processes that deliver results.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Ironically, it was the obstacles I encountered that ultimately led me to establish my own consulting firm.

Throughout my career, I often found myself restricted by the decisions of those in higher positions. Despite my background, which at that time, included two master’s degrees and extensive experience in special education, I was frequently met with resistance when proposing changes. These decisions weren’t always in the best interest of students, and it was frustrating to see opportunities for creating a more equitable learning environment being dismissed. I simply couldn’t understand why those in power wouldn’t allow me to adjust their systems, especially when it was to benefit all students. There were times when it felt like my voice wasn’t being heard or taken seriously, which pushed me to take the leap and venture out on my own.

Starting my own consulting firm was far from a smooth road. I had to build my practice from the ground up, identifying and connecting with school communities that needed support. It has been a journey that has allowed me to stay true to my values and work toward making a meaningful impact in education. This path has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of staying committed to what truly benefits students.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Jana Lee Consulting, LLC?

It’s time for leaders to work smarter, not harder.

And to do that requires developing data-driven systems by design, not by default.

Jana Lee Consulting collaborates with school communities across the country to design customized strategies, systems, and procedures aimed at enhancing academic performance. The mission of Jana Lee Consulting has always been to transform school-communities with research-based instructional practices and cohesive data-driven systems that empower all learners, leaders, and teachers.

My experience as a special education teacher, using data-driven approaches to foster high morale and equitable environments, has shaped a unique methodology within our firm—one that reflects the nuances of every educational setting to improve student achievement and is grounded in building meaningful relationships with each school community. Trust-building with educators and school leaders helps create safe environments where they feel supported, willing to take risks, and open to new strategies for success.

And this is what I am proud of most when it comes to the brand. By prioritizing individualized solutions, fostering strong relationships, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to each district’s success, Jana Lee Consulting has established a reputation for trustworthiness and meaningful progress in educational outcomes.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?

The most significant risk I took was stepping away from the stability and predictability of a full-time job. I had built a career where I felt secure, knowing what each day would bring. However, I realized that in order to truly fulfill my mission—spreading the impact of data-based decision-making in education—I needed to step out of my comfort zone. It wasn’t an easy choice, as it meant leaving behind the safety net of a steady income and the familiarity of my established role. But I knew that to make a more meaningful, widespread impact, I had to take this leap. It was about embracing uncertainty to pursue something greater, a vision that went beyond the walls of a single classroom or school.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.janaleeconsulting.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jana.c.lee/
• Twitter: https://x.com/jana_c_lee
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@janaclee

Image Credits

Donna Fisk Photgraphy