Janis Lariviere’s office at the University of Texas-Austin is not far from her husband’s, but it feels like it is.

His occupies a quiet corner, clean and formal. Hers is in a cluttered area where she often uses an exercise ball for a desk chair.

“The glass is always half full for me,” Janis Lariviere said, describing herself.

Lariviere will work in Kansas University’s School of Education when her husband takes the No. 2 seat in Strong Hall later this spring. She’s excited about the move.

“I like change,” she said. “I love to start things.”

Lariviere was a high school science teacher for 24 years. She’s received the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for Texas and been a state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching.

In 1998, she joined UT as a program coordinator and instructor for the UTeach program, which prepares math, science and computer science teachers.

Janis Lariviere, wife of Richard Lariviere, will be working in Kansas University's School Education.

Lariviere met her husband in high school when she asked him for a nickel for the pay phone.

“He always said he got his nickel back with interest,” she said.

The Larivieres are in the process of buying a house on Avalon Road.

Janis excitedly awaits the move to Lawrence, with plans of creating a library similar to the large one in the couple’s Austin home, starting new work, taking walks to Massachusetts Street and entertaining.

“I want to buy a bike and pick up biking,” she said of her many plans.