Rep. Burgess Owens recognizes Utah special-education teacher Lacey Anderson

Rep. Burgess Owens, chairman of the House Merit Caucus, recognized Utah special education teacher Lacey Anderson for founding Autism Solutions Academy in West Jordan and for her work with neurodivergent students.

Owens said Anderson refused to accept low expectations for students with autism and built a school to meet “the needs of kids where they are,” highlighting her credentials as a board-certified analyst and her practice of customizing lesson plans and blending teaching models to expand options for parents of children with special needs.

“As chairman of the House Merit Caucus, I'm proud to recognize a Utah educator who embodies excellence, miss Lacey Anderson,” Rep. Burgess Owens said. He described Anderson as a special education teacher who "refused to accept low expectations for neurodivergent students" and who "founded autism Autism Solutions Academy in West Jordan, Utah, becoming a board certified analyst and building a school that meets the needs of kids where they are." Owens added that Anderson’s "student first approach provides real options to parents of special needs children. By customizing lesson plans and blending teaching models, she makes sure that every student, regardless of ability, has the path to succeed."

Owens gave a specific example to illustrate Anderson’s impact, saying he met a student named Sophia who had been nonverbal and withdrawn and is now reading, writing and "thriving because of a teacher who believed in her." He said, "That's what real leadership looks like. That's merit and action."

In closing, Owens said, "Every child in America deserves the same chance," and yielded back.

The remarks focused on recognition of an individual educator and did not propose or adopt any legislative action during the recorded remarks.