My name is Ellie Lasher and I teach an adapted curriculum self-contained special education class.  This is my 27^th year as a special educator, over half of which I have dedicated to my passion for Autism. I have served MCPS as a teacher, an Educational Diagnostician and as the Autism Specialist. I was presented with the opportunity to return to the classroom and I seized it! It has been an amazing experience with wonderful students and supportive families.  I was humbly honored as the 2019-2020 Metz Teacher of the Year! I cherish the connections with students, virtually, socially-distanced, and in person. My goal is to facilitate the students in becoming more independent young adults with their communication, social, and prevocational skills.