Anne Butler, Special Educator, Pointers Run Elementary School

October 19th, 2016

Throughout Anne Butler’s career, she has worked to support special needs students and advance special education. “Philosophically I think all kids should have access and be included,” Butler said. Now at Pointers Run Elementary School, she coordinates the Elementary-Primary Learner Program (E-PL), designed for K-2nd grade students with educational disabilities in functional communication and social interaction.

Butler works with her four E-PL students on their IEP objectives, then they practice these skills in general education classes. “They need to use their skills in the real world, so my students spend a significant time with their general education peers,” Butler said. “I will adapt whatever activity, if needed, so when my kids are in there, they can participate in a meaningful way.” Butler enjoys the challenge, creativity and collaborations involved with figuring out these adjustments, crediting the general education teachers and her paraeducators for making the instruction so successful.

Pointers Run Principal Lenore Schiff said, “Anne is so caring and sensitive to not only the needs of her students but of her support staff and general education teachers she works with. Her quiet, calm demeanor sets the tone for the classroom climate. She goes above and beyond daily for her students’ success. The growth they’ve achieved is phenomenal.”

Butler applies a wide range of specialized methodology and behavioral strategies in the E-PL Program. For example, “the students thrive on visuals,” Butler said, so each student has daily schedules and instructions with pictures to avoid surprises. A couple of Butler’s students use communication device tablets that support functional speech for socialization and instruction. And sometimes her students need sensory support, which they can get in the school’s sensory motor room.

Butler’s two decades in the special education field include both classroom- and professional development-related roles. She has taught special needs students at the elementary and middle levels, in Anne Arundel and Howard counties, and has led many professional development sessions on strengths-based behavioral support. She has also worked with school systems throughout the state to develop more inclusive schools and with special education student teachers, before getting the itch to return to the classroom, namely Pointers Run.

Butler was first drawn to Pointers Run when she observed its accepting environment as her own kids attended the school. Now as a teacher here, Butler said, “The school being so open to inclusion makes the Elementary-Primary Learner Program stand out. We give our students opportunities to be with peers and be a typical kid in the classroom. That’s what makes the school special.”

“Pointers Run probably has one of the higher percentages of special needs students because we have many regional programs here,” Schiff said. “I’m proud that our school has so many children with special needs who can teach their peers life lessons on perseverance and empathy. Everyone is a valued member of our community. Anne certainly promotes that.”

With one of Butler’s Strengths as “Includer,” it’s no surprise the students and relationships formed are her favorite parts of the job. “We love our kids. We build a bond in order to support them. I love seeing them grow and be successful in natural environments after working on things. It’s the best,” Butler said.