July 30, 2025
Dear Butler Families:
It is an honor to be appointed the interim principal of Butler School. Thank you for welcoming me into your community.
I understand the excitement and uncertainty that come with new leadership. As I transition to the Butler School, my goal is to spend time learning about the school community. I look forward to hearing about your goals and your vision for our/your students.
I began my career in education in 2001 in Newton. There, I taught first, second, and third grades. In 2011, I took a leave from the classroom to pursue my undergraduate focus in educational policy. During this period, I worked for the Massachusetts Senate Chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Education. The following fall, I enrolled at Boston University, earning my doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, with a focus on elementary administration. I served as the assistant principal at Hooks School in Chelsea, a Massachusetts Commendation School serving a high-needs population of over 550 students, for three years before moving to California. Most recently, I was the principal of West Marin-Inverness School, leading a TK-8 school of about 170 students for five+ years. I relocated back to the Boston area last summer and am excited to begin this new journey with all of you.
My vision for Butler School is to build on the great work being done to meet the diverse needs of our students. We will continue to set high expectations and strive to improve outcomes for all learners. I am a strong advocate for every child's success and collaborate closely with faculty, administration, and district officials to implement new initiatives. As both a teacher and administrator, I am aware of my students’ emotional, academic, and social needs. I hope that, together, we can genuinely collaborate to create a supportive environment and a culture of learning for both students and staff.
As a leader, I hold high expectations for our school, the district, and myself. Our purpose is to provide the best educational experiences possible for our students. At the heart of everything we do, every initiative, and every decision are the students—the most important stakeholders in education. We will work closely with students, families, and the community to ensure every child has access to high-quality instruction and the opportunity to succeed. It will be a privilege to work and advocate for the close-knit Butler community and to improve outcomes for all students.
Over the next few weeks, I will be available to meet with community members. Please join me at one of our Principal Meet and Greets:
Thursday, August 14th, from 4:30 to 5:30PM
Monday, August 18th, from 9:00 to 10:00AM
These informal gatherings will take place on Butler’s playground or in the cafeteria if the weather is unfavorable. We will hold additional gatherings in September.
I look forward to meeting and seeing you all in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns at 617-993-5550 or enolan@belmontschools.net.
Yours truly,
Elizabeth A. Nolan, Ed.D.