Lea Bouton

I am an Alaskan born and raised, with a few jaunts about the globe during my young adult years.  Graduating from A. J. Dimond High School, I headed off to study at the University of San Diego through the Navy ROTC Scholarship program.  It was there that my Catholic faith began to flourish – I developed a love for the sacraments and authentic community where we can grow in faith together.  Upon graduation I earned a BA in Chemistry (concentration in Biochemistry) and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy.

I spent the next block of my life sailing the high seas – with several back to back deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  I served on both nuclear and non-nuclear vessels, and met my husband while we were in the Navy Nuclear Power Training pipeline.  I was certified as a Nuclear Engineer by the Department of Energy and completed an MS in Engineering Management through Old Dominion University.

As our Navy life drew to a close and the chapter of our family began, my husband and I moved back home to Anchorage.  I completed a MA in Teaching through the University of Alaska, Anchorage and completed my student teaching and began my teaching career back where it all started – at A. J. Dimond High.  During my 11 years on staff I taught Chemistry, Engineering and Integrated Science.  I was heavily involved in the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering Academy, co-founded the “Smart Girls Rock!” program, and was the adviser to the National Honor Society for 10 years.  In 2018 I was recognized as a BP Teacher of Excellence and was able to ride with the USAF Thunderbirds!  Recently, I have also served on the UAA Alumni Association Board of Directors and the LCHS School Board, where I was the Board Chair for the 2020-2021 school year.

The pandemic was a time of reflection and great change for our family. We are grateful that we were invited to join the Lumen family in a new way for the 2021-2022 school year. Now in my 2nd year as a Lumen teacher, I teach Chemistry, Physics, Science 8, Theology 10 and General Math, and advise the “BIG A/little a” program.

As a teacher I believe that all students can learn and all students deserve teachers who are competent, qualified, and invested in them as children of God.  I believe that we teach more in the classroom than content – we teach self confidence and self advocacy, that there is value in struggle and frustration, that relationships matter, that standards are important, and that there is something to be learned in every encounter – for students and teachers.

Outside of the classroom I am a busy mom of three with students at both Lumen Christi and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Schools.  My husband, Jeff, and I are active members of St. Benedict’s Parish and enjoy lots of outdoor activity such as hiking and running with our kids.  In the rare quiet moments in our household, you’ll likely find me in my sewing room, quilting.

Classes: Science 8, Chemistry, Physics, Theology 10, General Math