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Professor of Psychology
Faculty Suite J, Room 146
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For as long as I can remember, I have always loved school. As I grew up, I developed a strong appreciation for the art and science of teaching and learning. I attended The College of William and Mary where I earned a B.S. in Psychology and teaching licensure in Elementary Education. I earned my M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from the University of Virginia and worked as a fifth grade teacher in Alexandria, Virginia. While in the elementary classroom, I became inspired to better understand the complexities of children’s learning and cognition and developed a passion for teaching. In 2008, I earned my Ph.D. in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College. My current research focuses on learning and cognition in K-12 populations, environmental influences on children, and higher education pedagogy. I enjoy being a part of the vibrant Bryant community where I may be spotted doing improvisational theater with students, planning the freshman IDEA program, collaborating with students on research, or cheering on the Bulldogs with my family.
Ph D, Boston College
M Ed, University of Virginia
BS, The College of William and Mary
Butler, A., Well Worth the Investment: The Personal and Societal Value of a College Education, Editorial Reviewed Electronic Paper, 2015.
Weinberger, N.,Schumacher, P.,Butler, A., Looking Inside and Out: Perceptions of Physical Activity in Child Care Spaces, Early Child Development and Care, 2013.
Butler, A., Exploring the Role of Social Reasoning and Self-Efficacy in the Mathematics Problem-Solving Performance of Lower- and Higher-Income Children, Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 2013.
Butler, A., Professional and Legal Obligations Maintain School Accountability for Bullying, Editorial Reviewed Electronic Paper, 2013.
Butler, A., Toy Guns, ABC-CLIO, 2012.
Lucariello, J.,Tine, M.,Butler, A., Meet the 'Reading Rangers': Curriculum for Teaching Comprehension Strategies to Urban Third Graders, Penn GSE Perspectives on Urban Education, 2012.
Tine, M.,Butler, A., Acute Aerobic Exercise Impacts Selective Attention: An Exceptional Boost in Lower-Income Children, Educational Psychology, 2012.
Butler, A., Charter Schools Chart the Course for Education Reform, Peer Reviewed Electronic Paper, 2011.
Kennedy, K.,Kennedy, M.,Butler, A., Paying Students for Good Grades: Is it Sustainable and Should it Be?, Academic Leadership, 2010.
Butler, A.,Hanich, L.,Deemer, S.,Strickland, M., Uniting Principles of Educational Psychology with Online teaching and Learning Pedagogy to Create Equitable Educational Practices, .
Freedman, E.,Butler, A., Greek Life: Perceptions on Campus and in the Workforce, .
Gonzalez, J.,Butler, A., Using Instructional Technologies to Maximize Student Engagement in the College Classroom, .
Roberto, M.,Butler, A., Why Design Thinking is Hard on the Brain, .
Sardar, F.,Butler, A., The Costs and Benefits of Diversity: Evidence from a Field Experiment, .
Butler, A., Inspired to Innovate? Embrace Design Thinking, Training Magazine, 2024.
Butler, A., How to Train your Brain for Design Thinking, Built-In, 2024.
Butler, A.,Lacey, H.,Roberto, M.,Hanney, D.,Luiggi, N., Innovation Nation: Teaching Middle School Students to be Design Thinkers, Middle School Journal, 2023.
Butler, A.,Roberto, M., Design Thinking, Sentia Publishing, 2022.
Butler, A.,Roberto, M., When Cognition Interferes with Innovation: Overcoming Cognitive Obstacles to Design Thinking, Research-Technology Management, 2018.
Butler, A.,Lenore, S.,Perez, J., Educational exchange: Investigation of a videoconference-based instructional program for educational psychology undergraduates and fifth graders, Psychology Learning and Teaching/ Sage Publishing, 2018.
Weinberger, N.,Butler, A.,Schumacher, P.,McGee, B.,Brown, R. L., Child Life Specialists' Evaluation of Hospital Playroom Design: A Mixed Method Inquiry, Journal of Interior Design (Special Issue on Health Care Design), 2017.
Butler, A., Beyond the AP, Lincoln School, 2016.
Butler, A., The Case for Single Sex Education, Editorial Reviewed Electronic Paper, 2016.
Weber, L.,Butler, A., Lessons from the Karate Kid: Using Popular Films in Educational Psychology, Information Age Publishing, 2016.
Butler, A., Humans Are More Intelligent Working With Technology and More Intelligent as a Result of Technology, Editorial Reviewed Electronic Paper, 2014.
Butler, A.,Kennedy, K., Changing the Order of Mathematic Test Items: Helping or Hindering Students?, The Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, 2013.
Excellence in Teaching Award, 2021
Innovation Award, 2021
Distinguished Faculty Award, 2020
Faculty Merit Award, 2020
Faculty Innovation Grant, 2019
Innovation Award, Contributing to Success, 2018
Faculty Merit Award, 2017
Faculty "Honorary Coach", 2016
Excellence in Service Award, 2015
Faculty Merit Award, 2015
Faculty Innovation Grant Recipient, 2014
Contributing to Success Innovation Award, 2014
Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honors Society, 2014
Invited Scholar Grant Recipient, 2014
Lenovo Pilot Faculty Fellowship, 2013
Faculty Merit Award, 2013
Young Alumna Award for Leadership, Initiative and Service, 2013
Distinguished New Faculty Award, 2011
Faculty Merit Award, 2010
American Educational Research Association
American Psychological Association
New England Psychological Association
Professor of Psychology
Faculty Suite J, Room 146