Jan Frans is a lifelong cheesehead! Born in Appleton, she moved to the Milwaukee area in 1975. Her first degree was in psychology, second in education, and third is educational leadership. Jan has always gravitated towards leaders and people interested in pioneering new things. She has been blessed with many amazing leaders in her life on whose shoulders she’s been honored to learn from and stand.
The pivotal point in her life was finding faith at the age of 19 after a journey from being a religious church lady, to atheist, agnostic and finally a Christ-follower. It changed the trajectory of her life and she’s never turned back from that anchoring in her life. Her personal relationship to Jesus has been her north star and she can’t believe He has been the patient Giver he has been.
About Jan Frans
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married for 45 years to my husband Mike. We have two amazing children who are both rock star teachers. Our daughter Amy teaches English in middle school in Green Bay and our son Mike is a special ed teacher in Delafield. We have 5 amazing grandkids ages 14,12,10, 6 and 2. Our grandchildren are our top priority as we invest our lives in appreciating them and letting them know how valuable they are to this world.
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
Mike and I met at Elmbrook Church where were served on the pastoral staff for 8 years. We pioneered Westbrook Church in Delafield and served there for 25 years. After that we pioneered Grace Church in Delafield and served there for 12 years. In both churches we started, our goal was to create an environment where people could be authentic and could be accepted right where they are in their spiritual journey. No judgement.
During the time we were pastoring, I taught at Kettle Moraine Middle School teaching 6th grade social studies. I believed learning should be fun and that each kid needed to know they were extremely valuable. After 18 years at KMMS, I retired and started a non-profit called The Oasis Project. While teaching I noticed that the playing field was not level for all kids in Lake Country. There were kids who needed help being successful in school, and therefore LIFE, but who were unable to access a private tutor to further their success.
Starting in 2015, I created a partnership between our 501c3 organization and several public schools in Kettle Moraine, Oconomowoc, and North Lake Districts, where more than 100 kids receive free professional tutoring each year from retired teachers who invest in the future of Lake Country Kids. After 8 years getting Oasis up and running I retired and it is still growing. Today , my husband and I love being the full time daycare for our two youngest grandchildren, investing in their young lives. We call it GrayCare. We feel this latter chapter of our lives is the most important thing we have ever done.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I love investing in people. People matter and their stories are fascinating. I love finding ways I can learn from others and serve them when our stories intersect in life.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
Usually, my vision is greater than my capacity. I’ve had to learn to be more collaborative so accomplishing goals can become more realistic.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
In leadership, I have always loved trying to figure out the best means to the best ends. As I have grown I have learned that I need to surround myself with people who have the strengths that I don’t possess. A shared vision and collaboration makes for a better product.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
My goal is to live emotionally present to the best of my ability with first, my family and friends, then those I can serve for as long as I can, and to any strangers I may encounter for whatever reason.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
Don’t feel like you have to know what you are doing before you venture out to start something. When I visited Milwaukee area non-profits to find out how people happened towards their successes I learned that NOBODY knew what they were doing when they started. Don’t be afraid to figure it out as you go!
Jan Frans & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
I love that our community is like family. Many of us have grown old together and supported each other in the seasons of life. There are great schools and great opportunities to spend time together with people who care about their neighbors.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
Hands down, it is my husband. He is a humble, high-impact, wise and caring leader. Anyone who knows him will tell you that.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
Mama D’s in Wales, Golden Mast in Okauchee, Didi’s at Ingleside in Pewaukee, and Sunny Side Up in Dousman.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Friendly, Generous, Beautiful.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
My husband and I were engaged on our first date. LOL
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
Recently, I like Savannah Guthrie’s book “Mostly What God Does is Love” and Megan Fate Marshman’s book “Relaxed”.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My husband, kids and grands.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
Coffee with cream because I enjoy it with friends.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
My parents, late siblings and sister because I miss our family being together.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Maybe a little more travel with my husband but I really like my quiet life now after many years of being very busy.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Family.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Make sure you make your peace with God. Major on the majors and not the minors. Do your best and don’t beat yourself up for what you couldn’t do.
Where to Find Jan Frans
Email: ilovelearners@gmail.com
Nice To Meet You:
I believe in positively impacting my clients and the community I live in, which is why I jumped at the chance to be an ambassador with “The Faces of Lake Country”. It’s a perfect blend of why I enjoy being a Realtor with Shorewest, Realtors, and everything I love about living in Lake Country.
I truly enjoy being a part of this community and helping others along the way. Prior to real estate, I was an Office Supervisor for the City of Waukesha Park & Recreation Department. During this time, I had the opportunity to work with many business owners and serve the general public. It was there that I realized that it really does take a village to make a community great and each and every one of us plays an important role.
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