Lorilei Butler

I just completed my 30th year in the school business and have officially retired and turned in my keys.

I'm currently counseling at Wylie Intermediate School. I have grades 3-5. This is my 30th year and most likely my last. I plan to retire after this year. After my 5 years at Carbon, Ron and I moved to Abilene. I taught business and counseled at Jim Ned for 4 years, then 6 years at Wylie Elementary and Middle Schools. We then moved to Eastland for two years and Stephenville for 7 years. I spent those 9 years counseling at Eastland Middle School. In the summer of 2006, we moved back to Abilene and I went back to my old job at Wylie ISD. When I was at Eastland I was fortunate to teach with several people I either taught with or taught at Carbon.

I have wonderful memories of my years at Carbon. Those were my favorite years of teaching. The faculty was very close and enjoyed spending time together. There were many of us who would stay after school just to visit with each other. No where else in my teaching career have I been able to get to know my students as well as those at Carbon. Having the very small classes allowed the teachers to spend time getting to know our students and I really feel that some wonderful friendships developed in that three story building.
I always tell stories about having to light the heaters every morning and stretching the extension cords across the room to plug in the electric typewriters, once we got them. I still have the two wooden extention cord holders that the guys in Ag made for me. (Many will remember learning on the old manuals and taking turns at the two electric machines we had.) I have many memories of working with the yearbook staff - where I heard most of the school gossip!) Ron and I took one group on a cruise for their Senior trip - that was a blast. Way too many great memories to list. I feel blessed that Mr. Norris hired me. I loved teaching at Carbon!