Janis Gioia is a licensed elementary school teacher and has taught preschool, pre-kindergarten and elementary grades. She has worked with children with special needs, severe behavior challenges as well as those from disadvantaged environments and in a social services setting. While teaching in a large, urban district she developed a unique classroom management system based on the social habits of wolves. This idea, which became her first book, The Wolf Pack Classroom Management Plan, enabled her to create a nurturing classroom environment that gently guides and inspires children to be and do their best.

Janis recently won the prestigious Ben Franklin Award for the Best Education Book of 2010 for The Wolf Pack Classroom Management Plan. She is currently writing for a parenting website, www.positvelyparentingonline.com, and is part of a therapy dog team with her dog, Melanie. Janis received a BA in English and a BS in Elementary Education from Baldwin-Wallace College. She is currently involved in researching ways to help children create peaceful, balanced, joy-filled lives. She lives with her husband, children and dogs in Northeastern Ohio.