Elizabeth Brammer is the February 2025 Allen Samuels Teacher of the Month. Brammer is a Functional Teacher at Plum Creek Elementary School in the Buhler School District.
A Functional Teacher is a teacher that works with students that have moderate to severe cognitive and social impairments. Brammer has eight students in her classroom, and they are from all over Reno County except for Hutchinson USD 308 which has their own program. Brammer is part of the Reno County Education Cooperative (RCEC).
Brammer has always wanted to be a teacher. She graduated from Emporia State in the winter of 1998. She said that there aren’t many teaching positions in the winter, so she did a lot of substitute teaching. She eventually ended up as a long-term substitute in a Special Education class and that is when she realized that this is what she wanted to do.
Brammer was nominated by Don Glaspie. Here's what he wrote on his nomination: “My son Tucker is in her class and has made a complete 180 this year after transferring to Plum Creek. He is speaking more, actively wanting to assist with chores, and is all around a whole new child. I appreciate all that Ms. Brammer and her Paras, Julia, Gill, and Kenzey, have done for Tucker.”
She has been teaching for 25 years, all with special education students, the last eight with the RCEC.
She said the most gratifying thing is when she has when working with a student that finally figures it out. She said the glee on their face makes her day. She says her students are genuine and share so much love.