Jane Shimizu  was born and raised in Los Angeles County. She received her BA in Developmental Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and her Multiple  Subject Teaching Credential from the University  of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).  She taught 3rd and 4th grades for seven years at schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District and Walnut Unified School District until she decided to be a stay at home mom for Brian, Janelle and Jonathan. She continued to volunteer teaching  in her children’s classes and Sunday school for over eighteen years thanks to her supportive husband, Dean. For five years, Jane  substituted in the Encinitas Unified School District and received her California Teaching of English Learners certification. She attended  the USC Summer GATE Institute with Dr. Sandra Kaplan during the summer. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, scrapbooking, camping and watching her kids sporting events.