MAPLEWOOD, NJ — At a special meeting on Sept. 29, the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education approved two new administrators: Melissa Butler as the interim K-12 supervisor of English language arts and Dion Patterson as assistant principal at Maplewood Middle School.
Butler has been an ELA teacher at South Orange Middle School since September 2005. Since the summer of 2013, she has worked for the Reading and Writing Project at Columbia Teachers College and has facilitated staff development for teachers and administrators around the county using the methodology of reading and writing workshop. Butler has received a number of awards and distinctions, including being recognized as the 2014 Bammy winner; the Bammy Middle School Teacher of the Year is a national award.
“It is an honor to officially introduce myself as the new K-12 ELA supervisor for the South Orange-Maplewood School District,” Butler said upon accepting her appointment, according to a press release. “I am truly passionate about every aspect of education, and I love literacy. I look forward to partnering with the teachers and parents in order to provide our students with the skills, knowledge and habits necessary for a high-quality literacy experience and encourage a continuing focus towards their future college and career success. As a parent of a first-grader, I have learned and recognized the sincere importance of a strong home-school connection, and I feel fortunate to be a part of a school community that has established such a strong and supportive parent base already. I anticipate strengthening this union and exploring the needs of each student, to accomplish our literacy goals.”
Butler holds a bachelor of arts degree in English writing and elementary education from SUNY Potsdam, an MS.Ed. in special education from Hofstra University, and an MA.Ed. in educational leadership from Montclair State University.
Patterson currently serves as vice principal and supervisor of community programs at Piscataway Township Schools. Prior to his appointment as vice principal in Piscataway, Patterson served as middle school teacher, a coach, a lead district evaluator and an apprentice school leader at East Orange STEM Academy, and as a middle school teacher in the East Orange School District.
“I am truly humbled and honored to have the opportunity to join Maplewood Middle School with wonderful staff, parents and students who are excited about learning,” Patterson said upon accepting the appointment, according to the release. “I bring my talents and passion for education and together I am ready to do exceptional things.”
Patterson received his bachelor of arts degree in English from Morehouse College, GA and his MS in reading and literacy and second MS in curriculum, instruction and assessment both from Walden University in Minnesota.
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