Ever wonder how many adjectives exist in the English language that describe Karin Butyn?
For starters, everyone knows she’s compassionate and passionate and creative and careful and clever. And let’s not forget she’s energetic and expressive, thankful, tactful, and thoughtful, too, while performing the duties of the director of public relations and marketing for Ohio County Schools.
But that’s just the beginning, now isn’t it? In fact, let’s bet there’s a descriptive term that begins with nearly every letter in the American alphabet that reveals even more about the young lady.
Anndd GO!
Ambitious, bold, confident, dynamic, enlightened, fair, genuine, honest, imaginative, joyful, kind, loving, mindful, noble, open-minded, perceptive, qualified, respectful, sincere, talented, unique, vivid, witty, yielding, and zealous.
Most of all, though, Karin has always been an educator whether she was dreaming as a child of performing on Broadway, hanging out with her kids and husband on Movie Night, or communicating with the Ohio County community about the work the students, teachers, administrators, and service personnel complete each and every day of the school year.
After she reports to the Central Office of Ohio County Schools every morning, Butyn handles, as she describes, “the good, the bad, and the in-between” while remaining as positive as possible in a world where so many individuals are purposely negative.
Why?
Because, as she says, “children see that” … and they hear that, and they feel that, and sadly, they learn that, too.
Do you miss teaching?
I miss teaching every single day.
Teaching was the start of a career that’s provided me with so many opportunities, relationships, and stories. Almost all of my core professional memories come from the first seven years I spent in a classroom, and I’m really grateful for the professional and personal impact it’s had on my life. That being said, the skills I learned as a teacher carried into my experience as an administrator and in my current role as well.
I also feel our professional staff values being seen by someone who has walked in their shoes and carries the same educational values.
What have you learned about the school system since you were hired as the director of public relations and communications?
I have learned that the vast majority of people want the same thing: to feel heard and supported.
Every single day during the school year, our families send us their whole world for eight hours, and it’s not a ridiculous or novel notion that many families want to be “in the loop” regarding the procedures of the school system. I explain everything as clearly as I can. The good, the bad, the in-between.
Sometimes it’s tedious, but our families value the insight and understanding. I’ve always valued consistent, clear, and positive communication, but this role has taught me that there is very little that consistent, clear, and positive communication won’t solve if we’re willing to find a solution together.
What do you hope changes in the world before your sons become tax-paying adults?
Our current world is very polarized, and everyone is extremely aware and vocal regarding what they believe to be true.
I hope that before our sons are grown, we learn to realize that there are multiple truths: your truth, my truth, and the gray area in between. I hope we find productive ways to solve problems and people are more willing to self-reflect and learn about realities that may not mirror their own.
I also hope that the pendulum swings back in the direction of valuing kindness. The things we say out loud, in print, and on social media matter. When we post and scream unkind things, children see that. I want my sons to feel strong in their convictions, but I also want them to know you can feel strong in those convictions respectfully.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I was going to be on Broadway.
In some alternate reality, I assume I’m in a chorus somewhere in New York City. Probably eating Indian food and heading to a vocal rehearsal.
I came from a very musical family: my grandmother was a concert pianist, and my mother had and still has a beautiful singing voice. They instilled a love of music from a young age, and I began playing the piano and singing as a child. I started singing professional “gigs” in the Wheeling area in my later middle school years. I was fortunate to train under OCS legend Mrs. Jingle as a private student before beginning with West Liberty (then State College’s) Dr. Linda Cowan when I was 15.
Our area has a ton of opportunity and training available. As a WLU student, I was able to tour throughout the state and internationally as a member of their concert choir. It really set me up for so many experiences that I will forever cherish. All that being said, I am a planner. And when I made a decision about my college major, I panicked at the uncertainty of majoring in a field with unpredictable employment. I had always enjoyed and been strong as an English student, and a few weeks before college, I watched Michelle Pfeiffer in “Dangerous Minds.”
I felt it was a sign; I majored in Secondary English Education and minored in Vocal Performance. I fell in love with teaching, pursued a master’s degree in educational administration, and the rest, as the saying goes, is history!
What memory did you make this summer that you likely will never forget?
We had a great summer!
My husband and I took both our kiddos (age 3 and 6) to NYC and D.C. this summer. I took my older son to see Wicked on Broadway. I cried and he grabbed my hand. It was really special. But more so than those specific memories is just the sense of calm and peace that hit on a Friday evening.
Our kids have a great bedtime routine, and on Friday, we add the popcorn!
Our movie nights with all my favorite people (and dog) seated on a couch watching a good flick, truly, there’s just nothing better. I recently got my kiddos invested in one of my childhood favorites, “Are You Afraid of the Dark?’ from Nickelodeon in the early 90’s, and they’re fans!
OH! I also want to point at that my mom, my sister, and I were the “Friends of the Ohio County Public Library’s” THIRD PLACE ADULT SPELLING BEE CHAMPS in early June! That was a great moment!
