ROCKINGHAM – Culture builder, team player, and lifelong learner. These are three character traits that can be used to describe Richmond Senior High School Principal Jim Butler.
Within his second year as RSHS’ head principal, Butler has led a long career within the field of education. Beginning as a social studies teacher at Rockingham Junior High, Butler has since taught, coached, and served as an administrator at every level within Richmond County Schools.
Unlike many people who change careers or employers throughout their lifetime, Butler has happily served his entire career within RCS, creating a sense of loyalty and pride that runs deep.
But for him, the connection and passion for this county’s school system goes even deeper than that. A graduate of Richmond himself, and a parent who has seen his children grow to graduate from his alma mater, it is safe to say that Butler has seen and experienced nearly everything that RCS has to offer.
Having played the role of student, player, teacher, coach, parent, and administrator within this county has given him a perspective that sets him apart from most.
This unique outlook on how he makes daily decisions, combined with his enthusiasm for learning, and his passion for education, are all a part of why Butler was declared the Richmond County Schools’ Principal of the Year back in August.
And although such a distinction provided him with joy and affirmation heading into this school year, it was just the beginning of a much larger process for Butler.
As is customary, each year every school district elects their principal of the year through a series of voting, interviews, and applications that each district sees fit. From there, each district’s award recipients are then entered into another round of competition for an award of even higher distinction – the Sandhills Region Principal of the Year.
Thus, following his award of RCS Principal of the Year, Butler began the careful completion of a portfolio of written questions, reflections, and even interviews in Fayetteville.
The process was long, but worth it.
During a recent principal’s meeting, a guest presenter from the Department of Public Instruction came to provide a presentation that Butler will never forget. Instead of sharing a run of the mill presentation on education’s latest trends and expectations, she announced that Butler was this year’s Sandhills Region Principal of the Year.
“I was truly surprised,” remarked Butler. “I thought she was just there to give a typical presentation, not to announce the Regional Principal of the Year.
“She began describing someone, and I didn’t realize who she was talking about until she started describing someone who had graduated from Richmond Senior High School in a hot and sweaty gym,” he continued, chuckling.
Butler may have been surprised, but according to Richmond County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Cindy Goodman, Butler’s success in the regional round of competition is not such a surprise.
“He is a highly-involved, hands-on principal who creates a great culture within his schools,” Dr. Goodman explained. “He loves his teachers, he supports his teachers, and teachers love working for him.”
Dr. Goodman also added that part of Butler’s success stems from his passion for lifelong learning.
“He is an avid reader, and openly shares that culture of reading with his students. He has probably read every book that his students read each year,” Goodman passionately shared.
“I am extremely proud of Mr. Butler,” Goodman concluded. “He is a phenomenal principal who deserves this recognition.”
Butler, however, is not taking this award for granted. For him, “it’s a sign that I’m going in the right direction, and it’s a sign that we are doing things for the right reasons.”
“It doesn’t mean that we are right all of the time, and it doesn’t mean that we won’t make a mistake tomorrow. But it does show that we are moving in the right direction” Butler passionately explained.
Even greater than that though, is Butler’s hopes for what his distinction will mean for the future. Rather than focusing on personal gains, Butler expressed he hopes that this recognition will bring some positive attention to Richmond for more than just football.
Beaming, Butler went on to describe how much of the attention that RSHS receives is sports based. Although that is a great thing for the county’s athletes, Butler noted there is so much more to RSHS than that.
It is Butler’s hope that accomplishments such as the school’s one-to-one technology initiative, its quiz bowl team’s success, and the tremendous things his teachers do every day will all be recognized as a result of the spotlight that is now being shined on his school.
For his students, Butler hopes that they will see his accomplishments and take pride in the great things that are happening around them; realizing that RSHS is a great place to go to school. Additionally, Butler explained that he hopes his students who take note of his success will be motivated to set new goals for themselves, and strive to attain all of the great things the world around them has to offer.
In the meantime, Butler will begin, or shall we say continue, his preparations for the next round of competition, this time for the title of North Carolina Principal of the Year. As the stakes grow higher, Butler will once again be submitting a portfolio of his accomplishments and outlooks, and will go through another round of interviews.
But until then, Principal Jim Butler can be found doing what he does best, leading the students and teachers of Richmond Senior High School.
