The Perfect Formula: Paula Butler in Her Element
Upper School chemistry teacher Paula Butler has made significant contributions to Cincinnati Country Day School throughout her 35 years of teaching at CCDS. Her impact on the school and on the students who walk its halls is immeasurable. Read more about this incredible Country Day icon.
What was your first year and first job at Country Day?
“My first year was 1991, and I was teaching many of the same things I teach now. I taught AP Chemistry and Chemistry, and I believe I also taught General Chemistry that first year.”
What brought you to Country Day?
“I was teaching at an international school, and when I was ready to return to the United States, I was looking at schools in Ohio, since that’s where my family lived. I became aware of an opening at CCDS; it was the first opening in that position in 35 years. I felt like it was meant to be, and the rest is history.”
What is your favorite thing about the CCDS community?
“The students here are terrific, and my colleagues are dedicated and engaging. It’s really fun to teach students who want to learn, and that has been true since I started here. I have the privilege of teaching students who are enthusiastic about learning, even in a challenging subject like chemistry. I also enjoy working with the parents, who are highly involved and invested in the school’s success. And it’s especially meaningful to be here long enough to teach younger siblings or even the children of my former students.”
What gets you out of bed every day to come to work?
“Doing something new every day. I love the subject I teach, and we have a lot of fun in class doing experiments, demonstrations, and in-class challenges.”
Do you have any other connections to Country Day outside the classroom?
“One of the greatest things has been having our son attend school here from pre-K through his graduation in 2020. I got to wear the Country Day parent hat for all those years. I also started the Science Olympiad team and have remained a coach. I am a co-advisor of the Students Helping Students program, and a co-chair of the new faculty mentoring program.”
Tell me one of your favorite memories from your time teaching.
“One of my favorite adventures was in 2019, when Mrs. [Jamie] Back, Mr. [Marcus] Twyford, and I took a group of Science Olympiad team members to a competition at MIT. We flew to Boston with all our gear and spent the weekend there. Other great memories include the summer bike trips I led in the 1990s. Mr. [Matt] Dahl and I led 300-mile week-long trips across the Lower and Upper Peninsulas of Michigan.”
Did you always want to be a teacher, or did you have other career aspirations?
“Ever since I started tutoring my peers in high school, I’ve had the teaching bug.”
How do you go about building relationships with your students?
“It takes patience and intention. The biggest thing is getting to know students outside of chemistry class, ironically. Seeing what they do beyond the classroom is really important. When they know I see them as whole people, it makes it easier to have honest conversations about challenges they may face in the classroom.”
I heard a rumor that you are making it your personal mission to reach out to former faculty and staff to invite them to homecoming in September. Why is it important for them to come back for that centennial milestone?
“I love the people I’ve worked with over the years. There have been remarkable colleagues who have made enormous contributions to this community! Some have spent decades here, while others stayed for a short time yet had a lasting impact. To be able to see them again and reconnect, and for them to meet up with former students, will be incredibly meaningful. It’s worth its weight in gold.”
Article written by Melanie Young `29.