Jeanette Magathan was born and raised in Olathe, Kansas, the youngest of five children. She graduated from Olathe High School, and holds a Bachelor's Degree with majors in Marketing and Business Administration from Emporia State University. 

Jeanette spent six years working in various positions at Hopkins Manufacturing in Emporia, including Market Research Analyst, Sales Manager, Purchasing Agent and Materials Manager. She and her husband moved to Olathe in 1993 so their oldest child could attend Kansas State School for the Deaf (KSD). They have two adult children who live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

In 1994 Jeanette began working at KSD as a secretary in the Related Services Department, and in 1996 was promoted to Finance Director where she worked until retirement after 29 years. During this time she oversaw implementation of the SMART automated procurement and accounts payable system, and the IBARS automated budget system, both required for all State of Kansas agencies. When the state legislature required KSD to share administration with Kansas State School for the Blind, she became Finance Director for both schools until retirement.  

Jeanette was active in the Parent-Teacher Organizations at her children’s schools and established the PTO Holiday Store fundraiser at Kansas State School for the Deaf. She has also served as a board member and Treasurer for the Kansas State School for the Deaf Endowment Association for 25 years, and helped organize the first annual ASL for All 5K event in fall 2023.