Katie Jansen graduated from the University of South Florida in August 2021 with a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction specializing in Educational Psychology. Her dissertation is entitled Pre-Service Teachers' Knowledge of Brain Development: Implications for Autonomy-Supportive and Controlling Motivational Styles..

Katie's scholarship focuses on adolescent brain development, supporting adolescents' developmental and psychological needs, and responsive teaching practices in secondary education. Her dissertation study explores pre-service teachers’ conceptions and misconceptions about brain function and development as well as their motivational styles. Katie recently published an article titled, "Understanding brain development: Investing in young adolescents' cognitive and social-emotional development," in the Middle School Journal.

Prior to her graduate studies, Katie taught high school Social Studies in Hillsborough County, FL (Tampa) from 2007-2015. In 2012, she was honored as the Social Studies Teacher of the Year for Freedom High School and routinely received the highest teacher evaluation levels ("Highly Effective"), resulting in Merit Award Pay. She was also awarded AP Bonus pay each of the four years she taught AP Psychology, demonstrating her effectiveness at preparing high school students for the College Board's AP Psychology Exam.

Katie currently resides in Falmouth, Maine with her husband, Nick, and their children, Declan and Corinne.