Janet Carnochan was born on November 14, 1839, in Stamford Township, Upper Canada.

[1] Obtaining a first-class county teacher's certificate at age 16, she began teaching immediately.

At 18, after attending the Toronto Normal School for five months,[1] she obtained a first-class B certificate.

She then became assistant teacher in the Niagara High School, holding that position for 23 years.

[5] Through appeals to the public and discussions with provincial and federal cabinet ministers, she raised $5,000 for a historical museum at Niagara, of which she became the president and curator.