Kind hearted, patient and determined to make a difference, WCHS Autism teacher Sudhir Bottu continues to make some of the most important and impactful differences at WCHS. A core member of one of the most overlooked but important departments, Bottu has no doubt left his unique mark at WCHS.
Though Bottu did not always know he wanted to work as an autism teacher, his experiences working with autistic students early in his career changed his outlook on his planned career path.
“I was inspired by how unique each student was, and I realized how important it is for them to have someone who believes in their potential and helps them build real-world skills,” Bottu said.
Bottu has dedicated much of his time to autistic students, never giving up on getting to the root of any and all difficulties. He persistently puts in effort with every student, making sure that each of their wants and needs are addressed.
“[With] the population that we work with, there [are] not a lot of people who are so dedicated to it,” WCHS paraeducator Danielle Gilbert said. “[Bottu] has a degree for autism which is super helpful because he is able to teach us new stuff all the time and tries really hard to get to the heart of what the kids are trying to communicate, even if they cannot communicate it.”
Now in his third year at WCHS, and almost 10 years in the teaching profession, Bottu works with students ages 14-21 in grades 9-12, where he teaches them important life skills. Bottu prepares students to excel in their everyday lives after high school, including working closely with everyday activities that may not come easily to these students.
“Because I work with students on the autism spectrum, I focus heavily on functional skills, employment readiness, and social skills,” Bottu said. “At the end of the school year, I want each student to walk away with progress they can carry into the real world—whether that’s being able to follow a daily routine, use money in the community [or] practice workplace behaviors like communicating their needs more effectively.”
Although it can be difficult at times, Bottu keeps a calm and cool energy towards students’ frustrations. He uses many different strategies including visual support, routine and positive reinforcement in order to help students feel both safe and motivated.
“He is really calm and can be pretty quiet sometimes, but you can tell that he’s always thinking and committed to doing what is best for the kids,” Gilbert said. “He does a good job of interacting with the staff and students, where he takes his time to go back and process something with [other staff] before jumping into more problem solving.”
Bottu always prioritizes the well being of his students, ensuring that they feel comfortable in his classroom to make their days more enjoyable. Bottu has done an outstanding job working with these students, and continues to make a huge difference in their lives.
“Watching them achieve something they once struggled with, and seeing their pride in that accomplishment, is what makes this work so meaningful to me.” Bottu said. “After 10 years, I still feel inspired every time a student shows growth that will help them live a fuller and more independent life.”
