George T. Betts

Dr. George Betts was born in Denver, CO on April 17th, 1944 to Verlie Rose (Prunty) Betts and Winfield Craig Betts. George was an only child, as were his parents. He graduated from Denver North High School in 1962. It was here that his guidance counselor told him not to bother applying to college, that he would never make anything of himself. He attended Philips University in Enid, OK, and graduated with a B.A. in history in 1966. He taught civics and history at Vikan Jr. High in Brighton, CO for two years.

At this point he realized he need a change, so he enrolled in a Masters program in counseling at the University of Northern Colorado, in Greeley, CO. He then pursued his Doctorate (and his future wife) in counseling, and graduated E.d.D. in 1972. During this time he met Donni Lawless and they fell in love on a road trip to San Francisco. They were married in Estes Park, CO on May 28th, 1972.

Three months later they sold everything they owned and Donni dragged George to Paris. George was hired by the University of Maryland through the Department of Defense. He and Donni lived in Germany, Spain and Belgium and traveled extensively throughout Europe, as well as a trip to North Africa, during their year abroad. That year of travel sparked his wanderlust.

in 1973 George was hired to teach Arvada West High School in Arvada, CO, where he created Senior Seminar, a semester-long, out of school experiential program that would eventually become the basis for his best-known work, The Autonomous Learner Model, developed with colleague Jolene Kercher.

In 1978 George was hereby the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO to implement a master’s degree program in gifted education, and later a doctoral program. He also developed the Summer Enrichment Program, a 2-week residential camp for gifted children, which he directed for 35 years.

George was honored to serve for 35 years on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Gifted Children, and most recently, as president of the organization. He also served as president of the Colorado Association for Gifted Children. Consulting and sharing his knowledge about gifted children and gifted education drove him not only to learn as much as he could about the unique needs of gifted, talented and creative students, but to become a major contributor to the field.

He wrote numerous professional books as well as several works of poetry.

He loved the mountains. He loved baseball. He loved travel. He and Donni ventured from the Canadian Rockies to the Caribbean; to every state and major city in Australia; all over New Zealand; to Hong Kong and Macau, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia; and countless trips to Europe.

George was genuine, kind and compassionate. His greatest joy was the family he adored, including his wife, Donni; son Jordi and daughter-in-law Kristen; daughter Kristi and son-in-law Jac, and granddaughters Ainsley, Lauren and Hayley as well as the countless friends who have touched his life.