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Today's Featured Biography

 
Janet Wittenberg Butts

Following high school graduation, I attended University of Missouri for two years with the intent to major in journalism. After some soul-searching, I realized I really wanted to be a teacher so I returned to LSU where I got my BS in Education and began teaching high school English in Crowley the fall of 1965.

That Oct. I married Russell Butts and moved to Baton Rouge at semester break to join him where he was working on his PhD in mathematics. I taught at Broadmoor Jr. High and Port Allen High, and then we moved to Denton, Texas where Russell was an associate professor and I taught at NW Jr. High near Justin, Tx. In July 1969 Russell joined the Air Force, and we moved to Albuquerque in Jan.1970 where he began working at the Air Force Weapons Lab and I taught at Ernie Pyle Jr. High.

In 1972 our first daughter Bridget was born, and I “retired” from teaching to be a mom. In 1977 Jessica was born. After 10 years of being a mom, a pre-school teacher, a tutor and an active PTA member, I returned to teaching in 1982.

In 1983 we left the land of enchantment so Russell could teach at Mississippi State in Starkville. Unable to get an English or social studies job in the schools there, I began working on math certification. However, after one year, realizing he missed his previous research work, Russell accepted a job in Colo. Springs, working for the Department of Defense.

We loved Colorado, enjoying the mountains, camping, hiking, skiing. I devoted my time working for the Girl Scouts, leading my daughters’ two troops, training leaders, recruiting more girls into scouting, and continuing my certification in mathematics. It was a wonderful 4 years, but we decided to return to Albuquerque so Russell would not have to travel so much in his job.

In 1988 we settled once again in the beautiful SW. Russell returned to Kirtland Air Force Phillips Research lab, doing research on lasers and eventually the Airborne Laser. I returned to teaching English at La Cueva High school. After 4 years there, I accepted a job at nearby at Eisenhower Middle School, teaching math. In 2000 I followed a fabulous principal to a disadvantaged school in the valley and began teaching math and life science (for which I had to complete my few hours in elem. Ed to certify for teaching science) and ended my teaching career with a bang, teaching kids and subjects I loved.

For the last 6 years I have enjoyed retirement, traveling frequently to Hawaii to visit our first grandchild, Kai. However, last summer the Army transferred Bridget’s husband Brett, to Colo. Springs where their first son was born this past Jan. Since my other daughter, Jessica, is living in Denver with her husband, Mike, we are now burning up I-25 to visit children and grandchildren. We feel greatly blessed to be close to our wonderful family and enjoying the glorious desert and mountains of NM and Colorado!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone for our 50th and to returning to my roots!

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