Miss Butler is the heart of our school’s success, quietly powering the engine of learning behind the scenes. As a curriculum support teacher, she doesn’t just help shape what we teach, she transforms how we teach it. Her deep knowledge, tireless dedication, and unwavering support for both students and staff make her an irreplaceable force. What makes Miss Butler even more awesome is that, unlike classroom teachers who specialize in one subject, she has to be a master of them all. From Math to Language Arts, Science to History, she’s the go to expert who can jump into any lesson and elevate it. And while only a few students get the benefit of her direct support, her influence reaches far beyond that number, impacting every teacher she works with and every classroom she works with and the students in them. Her ability to support every educator, across all 3 grades and subjects, is nothing short of extraordinary. Miss Butler isn’t just important, she’s essential to our school’s growth, spirit, and success. Alright, enough talking about how amazing Miss Butler is, now let’s hear from her awesome self! Time to jump into the interview and see what makes her the real deal.
How long have you been working at GEMS?
“I’ve been working at Gems for 7 years. I taught in the SDC class for three years when I first started at GEMS, then I switched back to teaching in the resource program. The majority of my teaching career has been in the resource program.”
What inspired you to pursue a career in education?
“My inspiration for becoming an educator was my children. When they were little I volunteered at their school. That is where I found my passion to instill knowledge into all of the young easier minds. I’ve taught 2nd grade through high school level. However, middle school has always been my favorite age group.”
What does a typical day look like for you in this role as a Curriculum Support Teacher?
“My typical day starts with PAW. I then co-teach three periods of math: two periods with Mrs. Koerner 8th grade, and one with Mrs. Eutsey 7th grade. During my prep period I am mostly writing reports and testing students. For the afternoon, I have two periods of Curriculum Support (one 8th grade and one 7th grade). Most days I will stay after school if anyone needs help, or to get caught up.”
How many different classes do you visit in a day?
“I visit Mrs. Koerner’s class twice, Mrs. Eutsey’s once, and my classroom all the other periods of the day.”
Can you share a moment when your support made a big difference in a classroom?
“The best feeling as a teacher is helping a student when they are struggling to understand a topic. I’m very lucky in my position that I can work with a small group of students or one on one. While in the classroom I can see the look of panic on their face or the look of being lost and be able to teach them the part they don’t quite get. Seeing the look of relief is definitely worth every minute I spent. I want to build confidence and accuracy. The “I get it now” is the best statement to hear! Sometimes just having things explained in a different way is all it takes. These times definitely make every moment of teaching worth it.”
What’s your favorite subject to work with and why?
“I will pick two favorite subjects: Math and History. I enjoy teaching math, because math is everywhere in our lives – from money, finance, measurements, and building, ect…. I like to see when a student finally understands the how and why! One of my degrees is in History. I thought I would teach history at one point in my education. All of the topics are all so fascinating.”
