GIBSONTON, FL, August 06, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Janet Ruth Wisner Burton with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Ms. Burton celebrates many years' experience in her professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
With decades of experience to her credit, Ms. Burton has excelled as a Professor of Music at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida since 2016. Prior to this position, she served as an English teacher for the gifted for Boaz High School in Alabama from 2008 to 2009, a music teacher for Snead State Community College between 2011 and 2012 and the music director for Fairview United Methodist Church in Boaz from 2012 until 2014. She previously provided her wealth of knowledge to the Huntland School in Tennessee as a music teacher between 2004 and 2007. Moreover, Ms. Burton was active as a Music and Language Arts teacher for Dekalb County High Schools in Rainsville, Alabama, from 1999 to 2005. She attended Summer School 5 years and volunteered in the HS Office all but 1 class her Sr. Year. As President of FTA, she volunteered with teachers during study hall. During her Sophomore year she helped organize a Prayer & Christian Club meeting at the American Flag before school every morning. She served as President of the FHA & was a County & State Officer. She has mentored & helped many at-risk students graduate from HS.
Before, Ms. Burton was appointed as an interim band teacher for Geraldine High School in Alabama from 1999 to 2000 and a music teacher for kindergarten through sixth grade students at the Plainview School in Rainsville, Alabama, from 2000 to 2001. Between 1997 and 1999, she was recruited as the Program Director for the Hilltop Baptist Church and a Language Arts teacher for the Hilltop Christian Academy in Cedar Park, Texas. She further flourished in the Lake Travis Independent School District as a substitute & Interim teacher in Austin, TX. from 1995 to 1999 and a Language Arts teacher at Lake Travis High School between 1996 and 1997. Ms. Burton also worked as a Music Director with the Gault Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Payne, Alabama, from 1995 until 1996.
Ms. Burton additionally garnered valuable professional expertise as a Band Director for the McFadden MS Magnet School of Excellence in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, from 1994 to 1995. A former English teacher and Drama Sponsor with Lincolnton High School, NC from 1993 to 1995, she refined her skill set as the Music Director with Cornerstone Baptist Church in Maiden, North Carolina, between 1992 and 1995. She began her academic career as a substitute teacher with Catawba County Schools in Maiden, NC from 1992 to 1994. Noted as a longstanding Instructor for Singing Schools throughout 28 states, Ms. Burton has thrived as a substitute teacher with Hillsborough County Schools, as well as a teacher with the Cumberland Valley School of Gospel Music in TN, and Videt Polk's Gospel Singers of America in Pass Christian, MS, Camp Copass in Denton, TX., Albert E. Brumley Singing in Springdale, AK. & many more over the years.
At age 5, she twirled baton as Majorette Mascot for both Sylvania & Fyffe HS Bands where her father was the Band Director. Influenced by her father, Robert Wisner who was a Singing School teacher and organized school Bands throughout Dekalb County, also starting the Plainview HS Band. Ms. Burton initially discovered her natural musical talents while attending summer Singing Schools throughout her youth. Learning about sight reading new music and amazing experience through vocal and piano lessons, she eventually performed Gospel Music alongside her siblings and parents as a part of the Robert & Mary Wisner Family Group as a teenager. Also developing her stellar work ethic on 3rd shift at the Wisner Hosiery Mill in Rainsville, AL which ran 24/6 throughout high school. Ms. Burton later joined a number of local Gospel Music Quartets, with which she sang at decorations, monthly events, church services and even regional fairs. During this time, National Geographic Interviewed Ms. Burton at a Decoration held near Geraldine, AL. in 1983.
Ms. Burton initially studied music at the National School of Music in Roanoke, Alabama, for 10 consecutive years, eventually earning an Associate of Arts in music in 1978. Having graduated from Plainview High School in 1974, she obtained a Scholarship to enroll with the Videt Polk's Gospel Singers of America in 1979. Ms. Burton subsequently completed piano lessons with James D. Walbert in Birmingham, Alabama, and Voice with Lee Roy Abernathy of Canton, GA., and Jazz music studies at Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach Junior College.
Furthermore, Ms. Burton pursued a formal education at Northeast Alabama Community College, garnering an Associate Degree in 1990. After continuing her academic efforts with a Bachelor of Science in English at Athens State University, she became certified as a public school teacher in Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Florida. Following these accomplishments, she accrued a Master of Music from Jacksonville State University in 2004 and a Master's in Language Arts. Ms. Burton concluded her collegiate learning with six months of online Doctorate coursework in Educational Leadership with Keiser University.
Ms. Burton has participated in numerous endeavors beyond her primary responsibilities in the field. Conducting private music lessons in her spare time, she notably helped establish the J.R. "Pap" Baxter Singing School in Fort Payne, Alabama, for which she was also the Instructor. She has also held a number of musical posts with the First Baptist Church of Gibsonton, Fl. the Rainsville First Baptist Church, Fyffe Free Holiness Church, both in AL. the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Ft. LD., FL. and Lawing's Chapel Baptist Church NC. Likewise, Ms. Burton has contributed to the First United Methodist Church in Scottsboro, Alabama as a music assistant, the Director of the Chancel Choir while Conducting members of Huntsville Symphony in Cantatas and working with the youth and children's choir.
Ms. Burton found success with Jacksonville State University as well, having exhibited her talents as a part of their Gospel Choir, Marching Southerner's Band and Clarinet Choir. Formerly prospering as she has sung in the Don Frost Gospel Music Showcase for years with Buddy Burton, Bill Shaw, Roy McNeal & Don Frost and played the Clarinet with the East Hillsborough Community Band. In recent years, Ms. Burton has developed programs for Veterans and events for Memorial Day, Black History Month and Saint Patrick's Day at Hillsborough Community College.
Beginning in 1980, Ms. Burton Composed myriad pieces for the Stamps/Baxter Gospel Music Publishing Company Dallas, TX., which were published and performed by choirs around the country. As an Author, she has also penned a Series of children's books in the "PeeWee & Me" series, wrote songs for "The Jeffress Convention Book" of Arkansas, BMI International and Produced a DVD with Rudiment Book, "The Do, Re, Mi's of Music." A Producer and Co-Host for "Gospel Music Time TV with Buddy & Janet" for four years, Ms. Burton has recorded albums with her the Premiers, Crimson Qt, Golden Harvest, Diplomats, the Buddy Burton Trio, & duets with Cat Freeman, Doy Ott, among others.
Ms. Burton remains affiliated with various organizations in relation to her areas of expertise, including the Tennessee Teachers Education Association, Omicron Delta Kappa and the National Association for Music Education. As a testament to her professional influence, she was presented Speech Awards, she was elected as the Vice President of the Beta Club and the President of the Northeast Alabama Art Council. Ms. Burton has been additionally associated with Support the Arts as a contributing member in AL, NC, TN, TX, & FL.
In light of her exceptional undertakings, Ms. Burton has accepted a multitude of accolades throughout her career. The recipient of the Marquis Humanitarian Award and Top Educator Award, she has been presented with a Journalism Award from Northeast Alabama Community College, was a contributing Staff Writer for 14 years for U.S. Gospel News of Jonesborough, AK., a National Award Winner for Waltz, Rumba, & Swing in Ballroom Dancing from Fred Astaire Studios in 1985, the Leadership Award from Omicron Delta Kappa in 2003 and All-Co. Band Awards 7 – 12 from Plainview High School, voted Most Dependable. Honored as Miss Congeniality in Dekalb County in 1974, she was proudly inducted to the Tri-State Music Hall of Fame in 2017 in Chattanooga, TN. Bestowed with a grant from the Alabama Arts Council in 1995 for her "Do, Re, Mi's of Music" Project, Ms. Burton has been featured in multiple editions of Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World and Who's Who of American Women.
Though still on their Honeymoon, married to O.E. Buddy Burton since 1991, a Legend in Gospel Music, Ms. Burton has been overjoyed to serve as the matriarch of her family, which includes her wonderful daughter, Mara Ruth, and her amazing 4 step-children, 9 step-grandchildren and 7 step-great-grandchildren. Among the many high points of her career, she fondly recalls having performed in dozens of states across the U.S. from CA to Ohio & WV and offered private lessons to subsequent generations of musicians. Currently, she enjoys playing the Organ and/or her 1967 Hofner Bass Guitar at 1st Baptist Gibsonton with Buddy at the Piano & Vocals with the Youth Group. Looking toward the future, Ms. Burton hopes to continue leaving her mark in the Performing Arts while reaffirming her commitment to her Christian Faith through Music.
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