In RISD, school librarians are knowns as LITEs, or Library and Information Technology Educators. All of the LITEs in RISD have classroom teaching experience and a master’s in library and information technology. April is School Library Month, and RISD will be highlighting some of the wonderfully talented LITEs across the district all month.
Veronica Buttry is in her 18th year in elementary education, seventh a LITE at Springridge Elementary.
She enjoys forming strong bonds with every student on campus, learning their unique interests and abilities, and differentiating lessons to engage and excite every student year after year.
“As a LITE, I am a teacher, program administrator, community partner, campus leader, instructional partner, and information technology expert,” Buttry said. “LITEs have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of every student on a campus every day and every year! I am very passionate about making learning fun and meaningful to create lifelong learners. I strive to engage students while encouraging them to think critically and create new products to showcase their learning.”
Springridge Principal Jamila Thomas said the campus library is a place to promote information and digital literacy to all students, the staff and the community. Through collaboration, research and thinking critically, students will become proficient learners in accessing information and discover a love for reading.
“Mrs. Buttry offers a welcoming and supportive environment,” Thomas said. “She is committed to ensuring that every student is an ethical user of information technologies with strong intellectual curiosity. She cultivates a life-long love of reading, learning, and independent thinking. She provides quality learning experiences designed to equip students with the skills to adapt and thrive in a changing global environment. She strengthens our community by participating in a One School, One Book literacy program.”
Thomas said Buttry provides every family with access to ready-made reading tools and resources for the classroom and home.
“Our Springridge families are encouraged to spend quality time with each other through the love of reading and fun literacy activities. Mrs. Buttry works alongside each teacher to develop lessons that enhance the learning environment with a wide range of information and materials. She is a community educator, organizer, and innovator. Our students go to the library to learn to code, write blogs, edit videos, and much more. With more freedom for experimentation and creativity than most classroom teachers, library media specialists set the tone for the classrooms of the future.”
