Lois F. Roets

Born in Breda, Iowa, to Charles and Mary Ann (Goecke) Schelle. Her parents, 4 older brothers and 2 sisters welcomed her. A younger brother came later — she was child 7 of 8. The Schelles were farmers who raised grains and livestock and were early developers of hybrid seed corn.

St. Bernard elementary and high school in Breda, Iowa. Extracurricular activities: speech, plays, vocal music, Yearbook staff. Managed the concession stand at basketball games.

Freshman at College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE, to become a teacher — the first in her family to go to college. Part-time jobs to pay for college: reading for the blind, cafeteria work. Sang in chorus and volunteered in the art department.

Joined the Franciscan Sisters (FSPA) teaching religious group in LaCrosse, WI. Completed bachelor's degree and teacher training; taught 6.5 years in Iowa and Wisconsin. Wrote and performed Ballads based on the Bible.

Left convent, moved to Pardeeville, Wisconsin, to teach in public schools. Helped unionize teachers and continued taking university courses.

Married (Rev.) Philip G. Roets at Catholic Church in Rio, Wisconsin. Father Roman Weidholz officiated.

Taught elementary school in Pardeeville; served on village committees; wrote and edited works on Bible and education; took graduate classes; wrote educational materials for publishers.

Completed Masters in Education, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Major: Educational Psychology. Focus: Human Learning & Motivation Theory.

Moved to Iowa to be closer to family. Began what became her specialty: Gifted Education.

Founded Leadership Publishers so writings in gifted education by Lois and Bible studies by Phil would be available to the public.

Completed Doctor of Education (Ed.D.). Developed "Leadership: Skills Training Program for Students 8–18." Established reliability and validity for the "Roets Rating Scale for Leadership for Ages 10–18" (RRSL), used extensively in English and Chinese translation. Motto: "Lead Yourself; Lead Others."

Taught teachers how to work with gifted students, instructional strategies, curriculum design, and leadership development. Presented at conferences; conducted workshops in 28 states and 2 provinces of Canada. Active member of AERA and NAGC.

Moved to Des Moines, Iowa, to become Department Chair for Gifted Education.

Curriculum Director for merged school district in Sac County, Iowa.

Retired from working with K–12 schools. Continued to teach teachers.

Phil, beloved husband, died of cancer. Lois stopped traveling for workshops and conferences to use her energy and time to keep alive the legacy of Phil through the website, memorials, and publications.

Established and expanded www.roetsnotes.net for Phil's work. After dissolving Leadership Publishers in 2012, her educational books and "Write & Edit Memoirs" were added to the site.

Memoirs work began when Lois helped a client assemble 191 files into a book. Now she helps others write memoirs and teaches "Writing Memoirs" classes.

Retired from teaching teachers.