Jeannie grew up in southern California, went to college in Oregon, and graduate school in Washington D.C. where her major was international relations. She lived in Sweden and Italy as a student. After graduate school, she moved to Mexico where she has been involved in language training for over thirty years. She is married to a Mexican. They have raised their children in a bi-cultural household. Her interests include photography, calligraphy, and cooking. She tries to keep fit by exercising every day.