Jo Ann Harvey is a native of Idaho and a member of the Nez Perce Tribe. Ms. Harvey earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Eastern Washington University and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. She has since attended various universities to further study diversity, human and civil rights, and issues of American Indians/Alaska Natives. Ms. Harvey has been employed by the Coeur d’Alene Public School District since 1986 as a Physical Education/Health Specialist.

She is President of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations and a board of director member of the Coeur d’Alene Education Association, State Board of Education Professional Development Committee, National Education Association, and the Idaho Education Association, where she received the Minority Service Award. She has also served as a board of director member of the Museum of North Idaho, and has participated in the American Indian/Alaska Native Caucus and served as the Select Attendee to Education International in Porto Alegre, Brazil.