Creating Success Stories: Making a Difference

Deirdre Butler has over 17 years of experience in education.  She began her first career as an Accountant I and a Volunteer Tax Preparer before starting a career in education.  Deirdre Butler worked as the Lead Applied Behavior Therapist for three years in the Kershaw County School District and she has a total of five years’ experience in the area of Special Needs.  Deirdre Butler was the first Applied Behavior Therapist in Kershaw County School District to teach a nonverbal student to talk. This major accomplishment set her student on the path to becoming a normal successful student (2001-2004).  The first word from her non-verbal student was “BUTLER” even though it sounded like “But-jah”.  Before Mrs. Butler left Kershaw County School District in 2004 to accept her new teaching job in Jasper County, her student had a vocabulary of approximately 50 words; this happened within a span of three months.  Deirdre continued to check on the progress of her past student and was given a final update this past spring. The student eventually overcame autism, plays basketball for his school, has excellent communication skills, and will graduate from high school in 2017

 Deirdre Butler has an Associate Degree in Accounting from Sumter Technical College; a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Resources Administration from Saint Leo University; and a Master’s of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.  She successfully completed the P.A.C.E. program in 2007 which is an alternative certification program for educators who did not originally attend school to become teachers. Deirdre Butler successfully completed the South Carolina Mentoring training in February 2012 and received her certificate as an SC Certified Mentor.  She was named “Teacher of the Month” in 2011 at Hardeeville High School.  Presently, Deirdre Butler teaches Integrated Business Applications I, Administrative Support Technology, and Fundamentals of Computing, and Accounting at Ridgeland-Hardeeville High School.

Deirdre Butler believes that building lasting relationships with parents and students in the classroom is pertinent.  She also connects with students and families throughout Jasper and Beaufort County as a licensed and ordained Minister of Music.  She has a passion for playing the organ and singing.  She directs choirs in the area as a part of her music ministry and encourages youths to cultivate their musical talents.  Deirdre Butler believes that every child has a special gift to offer the world and it is her job as a teacher to help each child realize their gift.  She believes that your attitude sets the gauge for your altitude. She believes that attitude checks should be done often in order to ensure “Success in Flight”.