For Janene Panek, giving back is second nature. A proud alum of Carl Sandburg Elementary, Finn Hill Middle School, and Juanita High School, Janene grew up in Kirkland and is now raising her own family in the same community that shaped her. Her daughter recently graduated from Juanita in 2024, and her son is set to follow in 2027.
“I’ve always loved being part of my kids’ school experiences,” she shared. “Volunteering in their classrooms, serving on the PTSA Board, and working in the Health Room at Sandburg—it all deepened my connection to our school community.”
It was during her years in the elementary Health Room that Janene discovered something unexpected: a growing emotional toll among students who came in not just with physical needs, but also emotional ones. That experience inspired her to become a certified teen life coach, focusing on supporting adolescents through the ups and downs of growing up. Today, she runs her own practice, Rollercoaster Teen Coaching, where she helps teens and their parents navigate challenges with empathy and resilience.
Janene’s passion for supporting student mental health is what drew her to Lake Washington Schools Foundation. After attending a Youth Mental Health and Suicide Awareness event at Juanita, she connected with LWSF’s mission on a deeper level.
“I asked how I could get more involved,” she recalled. “That’s when I learned about the Ambassador program. Now I proudly serve as the LWSF Ambassador for Juanita High School.”
As an Ambassador, Janene helps bridge the gap between the Foundation and her school community—sharing resources, promoting events, and connecting parents and educators to the many programs LWSF offers, from Pantry Packs and Battle of the Books to ParentEd Talks and Social Emotional Learning for Parents workshops.
“My involvement with LWSF has expanded my sense of community,” Janene said. “It’s not just about one school—it’s about the entire district. And when we come together to support all students, we can make big changes.”
Raised by parents who modeled kindness and generosity, Janene grew up with a deep appreciation for giving back—something she now passes on to her own kids and community.
Janene hopes more parents will discover the power of being an Ambassador: “If you care about kids and want to connect with like-minded parents, this is a great way to do that. It doesn’t take much time, but it makes a real impact.”
And for those who may not have time to volunteer, Janene offers this reminder:
“Money donated to LWSF goes directly back to students in the district. So if busy schedules make it hard to give your time, making a monetary donation is a meaningful way to support a foundation that leads with its heart to support all students in LWSD.”
For Janene, the ideal future is one where every student in LWSD arrives at school feeling safe, supported, and ready to learn. She’s quick to credit the everyday heroes—teachers, counselors, and school staff—who show up day after day to make that happen.
“LWSF is an added layer of support that fills in the gaps,” she said. “I’m honored to be part of that.”
Want to join Janene and other parents making a difference across the district?
Become an LWSF Ambassador and help build stronger school communities across LWSD. Ambassadors help promote Foundation events, share stories of impact, and support programs that directly benefit students.
Learn more at www.lwsf.org/ambassadors or email [email protected] for details.
