Put fifty milliliters of adventure and fifty milliliters of compassion in a test tube to get a product of Mr. Butera.
Mr. Butera's worldly experiences create a positive work ethic. Photo by Ed Gloor
In room 119, earth science and physical science are always being taught, but one would never guess that the person teaching the subjects has cooked all around the world, goes rock climbing, and strums the guitar in his spare time.
Brett Butera is a science wiz at Thomas Jefferson High School who is enjoying his fifth year teaching students. Before becoming a teacher, however, Butera’s past is a very tasteful one. “I’ve cooked all over the U.S.,” Butera says. “I cooked at a restaurant in Maine called the Jordon Pondhouse and at a Mexican restaurant in Houston, Texas. I also enjoyed cooking in New England.”
When having a grandpa who always said, “If you want to be a good cook, you have to be a great dishwasher,” working hard was not an unexpected trait of Butera’s. “So when I started working in the kitchen I said that I just wanted to be on dishes, and after I learned how to do really good on them, I helped with chopping,” Butera said. “After chopping and doing anything to help, I became the line cook.”
Along with cooking, Butera enjoys the outdoors and environment a great deal. “I used to be a climbing guide at Estes Park, where I also met my wife,“ Butera said. “I would take kids on backpacking trips for up to two weeks during the summer, where we hiked, rock climbed, and did other activities.“ Taking these adventures trips is where Butera discovered that teaching kids is what he truly enjoys. He says he wanted to become a science teacher, so he attended school in Cleveland Ohio, and in the summer would come back to Estes Park.
Estes Park had another appeal to Butera besides his wife and teaching kids: rock climbing. Climbing at this historic park was a great getaway for him and was enough inspiration to keep him coming back to Colorado for five years. “I also enjoy rock climbing in Kentucky and West Virginia,” Butera said.
Butera also plays the guitar and has been part of a band. “I have been playing the guitar since I was 15,” said Butera. “We played blue grass and blues, and when we were in Cleveland we would open for bigger bands.”
While doing all of his favorite activities, Butera managed to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology with a minor in Biology, which was completed at Cleveland State University. He also received an Associate’s Degree in Natural Resources: Recreation and Wildlife Management at the Hocking Technical College, in 1997. He then went on to substitute teach at various schools in Golden and then to DPS schools.
Finally, Butera settled down when he was hired at Thomas Jefferson High School. He is a science teacher here and really tries to make an impact on his students. “I especially like teaching the freshmen because I like to see how their skills grow from August to May,” said Butera. “I also enjoy working here because of the great variety of students.”
Butera is one that will strive to help his students succeed. He has finally found his place at Thomas Jefferson and doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon. “Working here is super fantastic,“ said Butera. “I will stay here for as long as they will let me.”
