BUTLER COUNTY, KY – At Butler County Schools, learning is more than memorizing facts and figures; it’s about equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in life. That vision came to life recently in Mrs. McKinney’s 8th grade math classroom at Butler County Middle School, where students engaged in a hands-on learning experience that highlighted one of the district’s core Portrait of a Learner pillars: Problem Solving.

The lesson, shared by Principal Tim Freeman, featured students working in groups during a gallery walk activity designed to challenge their thinking and build collaboration skills. As students moved around the classroom, they weren’t just solving math problems; they were also practicing real-world skills like communication, teamwork, and perseverance.

“This activity is a perfect example of our Portrait of a Learner in action,” said Freeman. “Students weren’t just answering questions; they were discussing, debating, and learning from one another. That’s the kind of problem solving that prepares them not just for tests, but for life.”

The Portrait of a Learner is Butler County Schools’ framework for ensuring that every student graduates with durable skills for success. Among its five key pillars (Character, Problem Solving, Communication, Collaboration, and Global Citizenship) problem solving stands out as a lifelong necessity. By engaging in tasks like gallery walks, students practice evaluating information, thinking critically, and adjusting strategies when challenges arise.

In Mrs. McKinney’s class, students were given the opportunity to take ownership of their learning. The gallery walk format encouraged them to stand, move, and interact with their peers in meaningful ways. Each problem station became a mini-learning hub where students had to not only calculate solutions but also explain their reasoning, compare strategies, and refine their approaches.

“Seeing students use each other as resources is powerful,” Freeman noted. “When one student explained a method to another, it reinforced their own understanding and strengthened the learning community in the classroom.”

This type of instruction also aligns closely with Butler County’s vision of preparing students for an ever-changing world. Employers, colleges, and communities consistently emphasize the need for individuals who can adapt, collaborate, and think critically. By embedding these skills into daily classroom practices, Butler County Schools is ensuring its students are prepared not only for academic success but also for personal and professional growth beyond graduation.

The activity also exemplifies the connection between problem solving and collaboration—two Portrait of a Learner pillars that often go hand in hand. While students worked to solve complex math tasks, they leaned on one another, shared ideas, and developed confidence in communicating their thought processes. The result was not only stronger math skills but also stronger relationships built on trust, respect, and teamwork.

This moment in Mrs. McKinney’s classroom is just one of many ways Butler County Schools is living out its mission. Across the district, teachers are intentionally designing experiences that cultivate durable skills and connect academic content to real-world application. Whether in math, science, art, or athletics, the Portrait of a Learner framework provides a common language and vision for what it means to prepare students for the future.

“Every time our students engage in problem solving like this, they are building habits that will serve them for a lifetime,” said Freeman. “We are proud of the way Mrs. McKinney’s students demonstrated resilience, creativity, and teamwork. These skills are just as important as mastering math formulas—they’re the foundation of lifelong success.”

As Butler County Schools continues to celebrate Portrait of a Learner stories across the district, moments like these highlight the dedication of teachers and the engagement of students. They remind us that education is not just about the content we teach but about the skills we nurture, the relationships we build, and the opportunities we provide for students to grow into capable, compassionate, and confident learners.

In the words of Butler County Schools’ guiding vision: “One team with one vision that makes us Butler Strong.”