Betty J. Belanus holds an MA and PhD in folklore from Indiana University and a BA in American studies from Smith College. She was a founding member of the AFS Folklore and Education Section, and a board member of the Local Learning Network for twelve years. She was awarded the lifetime achievement award for her education service by the Smithsonian Office of the Undersecretary of Education in 2022. Her publications include the novel Seasonal (2002), the children’s book Caravan to America: The Living Arts of the Silk Road (2002) and numerous articles and book chapters on folklore subjects.