Jackie graduated from Kutztown University with a BS in art education, and continued graduate work at Millersville University, The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art in Philadelphia, Maryland College of Art, and Penn State University.

Jackie currently is retired from a 25 year teaching career from Donegal High School, teaching advanced level drawing and painting classes.
Teaching is her love and inspiration and many of her students have gone on to successful careers in the fine and applied arts.

"I find it hard to characterize my work. I am influenced by the study of art and I look to my artistic heroes for inspiration, but I don’t think I fit into a stylistic period or can say there is one particular artist I emulate. The actual process of charcoal to paper or brush to canvas is my inspiration. Each piece evolving from the moment. Tentative traces and bold marks reflect the progression."