Janis Mickles Hernandez earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Northeast Louisiana University, now the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She is originally from Gretna, LA.

She taught extensively in the Jefferson Parish Public School system as a special education teacher, community skills resource teacher and elementary teacher. From the classroom, she transitioned to lobbyist and field representative for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. She was also the owner of Bon Temps Travel agency. When Janis and her husband relocated to Virginia, she became a substitute teacher in Fairfax County Schools and Fund Coordinator for the Sheet Metal Workers International Association Scholarship Fund in Washington, D.C.

Janis has held esteemed leadership positions with LRTA. She served as second vice president and state program chair for LRTA from 2016 to 2018. In recognition of her leadership, LRTA honored Janis with the Name of Fame award in April of 2017. Mrs. Hernandez also served as first vice president and was elected state president in 2020. She now serves as immediate past president and is a member of the LRTA Executive Board and Executive Committee.

Mrs. Hernandez has also held leadership roles within her LRTA District and local Unit. Upon moving back to Louisiana and relocating to Ascension Parish, Janis joined the Ascension Retired Teachers Association. She soon became president of the local Unit. Mrs. Hernandez has also served as first vice president and president of LRTA District IV. She has held positions on the LRTA Bylaws and Budget Committee and is currently state chair of the LRTA Legislative Committee. She represents LRTA as a member of the National Repeal Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)/Government Pension Offset (GPO) Task Force. 

Janis is married to Matthew “Benny” Hernandez, and they have three children and four grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, sewing, reading and simply enjoying retirement with family and friends. She is proud to be a representative of LRTA.