Amanda Butler
Associate Professor of Education, Undergraduate Education Program Chair
Department(s)
EducationCredentials
Ed.D - Reading Education (Nova Southeastern University)
M.Ed. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (Walden University)
B. S. Elementary Education (K-8, Endorsements in ELA, Social Studies, and Mathematics)
About Amanda Butler
Dr. Amanda Butler was invited to teach at Charleston Southern University in August 2017 due to her extensive knowledge and experience in literacy and education. She teaches a variety of literacy-focused courses to ECE/ELEM and Child Development majors, and serves as a University Supervisor for student teachers. Her research interests focus on narrowing the achievement gap, which are a result of early career experiences in working with struggling readers from low-SES homes. Specifically, her research focuses on oral language development, teacher-student relationships, and root causes for underperforming students in reading and comprehension development. Dr. Butler created the curriculum for CSU’s Literacy and Literacy Coach M.Ed. programs in an effort to improve the literacy rate through current classroom teachers. She also partners with elementary schools and organizations to support children’s literacy skills and increase access to free resources in the Lowcountry.
Dr. Amanda Butler was invited to teach at Charleston Southern University in August 2017 due to her extensive knowledge and experience in literacy and education. She teaches a variety of literacy-focused courses to ECE/ELEM and Child Development majors, and serves as a University Supervisor for student teachers. Her research interests focus on narrowing the achievement gap, which are a result of early career experiences in working with struggling readers from low-SES homes. Specifically, her research focuses on oral language development, teacher-student relationships, and root causes for underperforming students in reading and comprehension development. Dr. Butler created the curriculum for CSU’s Literacy and Literacy Coach M.Ed. programs in an effort to improve the literacy rate through current classroom teachers. She also partners with elementary schools and organizations to support children’s literacy skills and increase access to free resources in the Lowcountry.
"I go the extra mile for my students by rolling up my sleeves and showing them how to be effective teachers by forming partnerships with them. They understand that making mistakes is an expected part of the learning process, and my classes are safe places to make those mistakes. I am looking for progress, not perfection."
Signature Experiences
Memberships
International Literacy Association
National Council for Teachers of English
South Carolina International Reading Association
Affiliations
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library/Begin with Books
Trident United Way Kindergarten Readiness Network
Parents as Teachers
Recent Scholarly Work & Publications
Publications (Last 5 years)
Butler, A. (2021, January 13). Parents can mitigate reading deficits at home. Begin With Books. https://beginwithbooks.blogspot.com/2021/01/guest-blog-parents-can-mitigate-reading.html
Butler, A. (2021, January 8). Parents’ power to help children read during pandemic. CHS Today. https://chstoday.6amcity.com/south-carolina-children-literacy-during-pandemic/
Butler, A. (2020). Hijack your literacy block: A golden opportunity to mold students into informed, compassionate citizens. Literacy Today, 38(3), 38-39.
Butler A. (2020). Breaking down physiological barriers: Leading students to academic achievement. Under review.
Butler, A. (2017). A tale of two interventions: A case study of teacher perceptions of oral language strategies. The Florida Reading Journal, 52(1), 8-18.
Butler A. M. (2017). [Review of the book Minds Online: Teaching Effectively with Technology, by M. D. Miller]. Internet Learning Journal, 5, 67-70.
Butler, A. M. (2016). Meeting students’ emotional needs is not in the standards, so why bother? The Reading Teacher, 70(3), 371.
Conference Presentations (Last 5 years)
Butler, A. (2019, November). The power of physical contact. Presented at the KDP Monday Night Professional Lecture Series, Charleston Southern University, SC.
Butler A. (2019, October). Breaking down physiological barriers: Leading students to academic achievement despite the effects of youth stress. Presentation at South Carolina Association of Teacher Educators, Gaffney, SC.
Franklin, R., Butler, A., Mitchell, J., Pleis, J, & Zakrzewski, J. (October, 2019). Inspiring future teachers: Elevating the profession. Presentation at South Carolina Association of Teacher Educators, Gaffney, SC.
Franklin, R., Butler, A., Green, K., Mitchell, J., & Siko-Walters, K. (August, 2019). Student Engagement Panel. Presentation for Charleston Southern University Faculty Kickoff. Charleston Southern University, SC.
Butler A. (2019, February). What’s love got to do with it? A physiological approach to student achievement. Presentation at South Carolina International Reading Association, Hilton Head, SC.
Winchester, C., Butler, A., Fonkert, K., Houston, T., Lineberger, M., & Putman, C. (2018, March). How to have the school year that you want: Classroom management strategies that work. Panel discussion at the South Carolina Educators for the Practical Use of Research Conference, Columbia, SC.
Butler, A. & Tobin, M. (2015, July). A tale of two interventions: Increasing the oral language skills of low-SES kindergarten students. Poster presentation at the International Literacy Association Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO.