Meet Janelle
Janelle is a skilled communicator with a diverse background in community engagement and education. Her professional journey began while in college at Southwestern Publishing Company where she ranked in the top 2% nationally, setting the foundation for a lifelong commitment to leadership and service.
With deep rooted involvement in the communities of Atlanta, Dallas and now Nashville for the past 11 years, Janelle has played a pivotal role in various educational and philanthropic initiatives. In Dallas she was actively involved in education and community service, serving as a Girl Scout troop leader for 28 girls, and parent education chair and curriculum advocate in the Highland Park School District. She played a key role in reinstating foreign language programs at the elementary level and worked on district-wide education projects. Additionally, she was a leader in The Marianne Scruggs Garden Club, where she helped expand fundraising efforts and strengthened community service programs.
Since moving to Nashville, she has continued her dedication to education and community engagement, contributing to Julia Green Elementary, Meigs Magnet Middle School, St. Bernard Academy, St. Cecilia Academy, and Montgomery Bell Academy. She has supported outdoor learning initiatives as a founding board member of REAL School Gardens and has taken on various leadership roles in parent education and advocacy.
Most recently, Janelle has focused on teaching Mahjong, sharing her knowledge of the game with Nashville’s growing Mahjong community. Beyond her community work, Janelle is an avid reader and lifelong learner who enjoys attending lectures, meeting new people, and fostering connections. She has a passion for gardening and leading an active lifestyle with her family, engaging in activities such as kayaking, skiing, and bowling.
A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Speech Communication, Janelle brings a strong background in leadership, education and community engagement to every endeavor.
Learn to Play Mahjong in Nashville with Janelle!
Testimonials
“Janelle is the BEST mahjong instructor. Her fun teaching style made us all fall in love with the game and her!”
— Tiffany B., student at AshBlue
“Janelle has a gift of being able to simply explain the rules of this complex game. She is very patient, especially with beginners who take a little longer understanding how to play. Janelle is very professional as well as fun, so it makes learning the game very enjoyable! She is a wonderful, A+ teacher, and I highly recommend her!”
— Carrie P., private student
“Several friends tried to teach me mahjong but it was not until Janelle explained that it made sense. She took the time to build from the basics up. It took two sessions (four hours total) but now I am able to play, enjoy the game, and while I am still learning, I have a strong, solid foundation to build upon whereas before I was always somewhat floundering. Thank you Janelle! You have a gift!”
— Emily G., private student
"Learning Mahjong with Janelle Kraemer has been an absolute delight! She has taken what is often considered a complex and intimidating game and broken it down into small, easy-to-learn lessons that make the process enjoyable and approachable. Her teaching style is engaging, patient, and full of fascinating history that adds even more depth to the experience. And let's not forget her incredible lunch sessions-fun, delicious, and the perfect complement to a great Mahjong lesson! I like to call her the Madonna of Mahjong because she brings style, expertise, and a true passion for the game. If you've ever wanted to learn Mahjong, Janelle is the one to teach you!”
— Amy N., student at Sequoia Swim and Tennis Club
“I am a slow learner, and Janelle is patient and kind. She makes us laugh as we learn. Her classes are so much fun, I am always looking forward to the next one! Janelle is the perfect teacher!!!”
— Jennifer M., student at Sequoia Swim and Tennis Club
“I've been taking lessons with Janelle for the past few weeks, and it's been such a rewarding experience! I was pretty nervous at first since l'm a total beginner, but Janelle made everything so easy to understand. She is incredibly patient and always takes the time to explain things in a way that makes sense.
What I really love is how she doesn't just teach you the rules, but helps you understand the strategy behind the game. I've started to feel more confident with each lesson, and I'm actually starting to think ahead during games, which is something I never thought would happen so quickly. Plus, Janelle is very encouraging, which makes learning feel fun instead of stressful.
If you're thinking about learning mahjong, I can't recommend Janelle enough. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve, she takes the time to cater each lesson to what you need.”
— Alison C., student at Sequoia Swim and Tennis Club
“Janelle combines the perfect balance of patience, instruction and humor. I was a bit anxious to learn, but within the first two sessions, I felt I had a grasp of this amazing fun game. I learn something new at her classes even though I have been playing for four months. Janelle’s incredible knowledge about the inside of the strategies of the game help you to pivot or play defensively. Her instructions will give you the advantage to say “MAHJONG” and win the game. Whether you choose to learn with your own small group or one of her bigger events, you have found the best teacher!”
- Tricia H. Student and Huge Fan