Butyn Selected W.Va. ‘Central Office Administrator Of The Year’

WHEELING - Ohio County Schools administrator Karin Butyn has been named the West Virginia Association of School Administrators' "Central Office Administrator of the Year," a statewide honor recognizing excellence in school leadership.

The WVASA made the announcement during their recent conference at the Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, West Virginia.

"It is an honor," she said. "I love working for the school district, and I have a lot of great things to share with the other counties.

"The WVSSEA always encourages Ohio County to share things specific to the county with other school districts in the state."

During the conference, Butyn was asked to present on "The Power of Public Schools."

Until recently, Butyn served as public relations and marketing director for Ohio County Schools. Her title was recently changed to be director of communication and related arts for Ohio County Schools.

In her role in the central office, Butyn said she does "a bit of everything." This includes professional development, curriculum selection, event planning, and coordinating social media and external communications.

"We are living in a very vocal society," she said. "It's important to remember there are so many daily celebrations and wins not vocalized in the school system.

"I enjoy working for a school system that encourages us to remember celebrations. I've never met a student or staff member not worth celebrating."

It is the second year straight that an Ohio County school administrator has received top honors from the state. Last year, Raquel McLeod, then the director of student services for Ohio County Schools, was tapped as "Central Office Administrator of the Year."

Butyn has been in education for 13 years and has spent the last six with Ohio County Schools. She started as an English language arts teacher in Hancock County Schools before coming to Ohio County to become assistant principal at Bridge Street Middle School. From there she moved up to the Central Office three years ago.

"I love working with kids in any capacity involved in education," Butyn said. "I always have just wanted to make things better - whether it's to make things better for kids or make the schools more approachable to families."

Butyn is a graduate of Wheeling Park High School. She received her undergraduate degree from West Liberty University, and her master’s degree from the former Wheeling Jesuit University.

She and her husband T.J. - also a teacher in Ohio County Schools - live in Warwood with their two young sons. The couple has a third child on the way in December.