Janet Gonzalez-Mena is currently self-employed, giving workshops, talks, and trainings on infant-toddler caregiving, diversity, parenting and early childhood education in general. She also likes to take on projects. At present she is working with California Tomorrow on designing diversity training for child care programs. When not working outside, she is at home writing books and articles. She is working at present on two co-authored books. One is a general child development college text book looking at the cultural context of development. Her co-author is Chilean and now lives in Canada. The other book is called Knowing Children and Using the Knowledge and that co-author is from Australia. Janet spends a lot of time on e-mail.

Janet retired in June 1998 after 24 years of community college teaching. She started in the 60's as a preschool teacher and has been a child care director and an ESL teacher. Janet studied Human Development at Pacific Oaks and interned under Magda Gerber, Los Angeles infant specialist. She has been part of the WestEd visiting faculty for the Program for Infant-Toddler Caregivers since 1990.

Janet has five children, the youngest of whom was born at 27 weeks gestation. He attended what was then called an "infant stimulation" program for his first three years. "I guess my hobby is writing. I always seem to be doing it. Not all of it is work related." Janet also likes to read, hike and be outdoors. She lives in the country on 20 acres and has created a labyrinth out in back of her house. She is intrigued with labyrinths and other ancient spiritual traditions.

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