Get to Know CCHS Staffulty Member - Cj Buchele ‘20
- What subjects and grade levels do you teach?
I teach Personal Money Management, General Business, Accounting, and Marketing to all grade levels.
- What were you involved in as a student at CCHS?
As a student I played soccer, basketball, and baseball. I was also in the National Honor Society, as well as Student Council during my freshman year.
- Where did you attend college?
I attended The University of Toledo and graduated with a business management degree in 2024. While at Toledo I was lucky to be a student manager for the men's basketball program. In those four years we won four consecutive MAC Championships and traveled to a lot of cool places. That was a great experience and a large reason why I started coaching.
- When did you start teaching at CCHS?
I started teaching last March. I was originally brought on as a long term sub, but I came back this year because I love Central Catholic and teaching. I never planned on being a teacher. In college I planned on working in the corporate world, and I knew I wanted to coach, but wasn’t at the time. After college, I did sales and finance and was searching for a deeper purpose. I believe I found that being back at CCHS.
- How does it feel to be back teaching at Central Catholic, and do you think being an alumnus gives you an advantage as a teacher?
It feels great to be back at CCHS. I am excited to wake up every morning and go to work. How many people are blessed enough to say that? Being a CCHS grad definitely helps. I already have an established relationship with the great teachers and staff that are still here from my days in these hallways. I may have graduated and left Central Catholic, but Central Catholic never left me. Life has a funny way of putting you exactly where you need to be, not where you think you should be.
- What is your position with the Fighting Irish boys’ soccer team, and how did that come about?
I am the assistant coach of the boy's soccer team. This came along while I was still doing sales and finance. My former teammate, classmate, and great friend Brett Bishop ’20 was named the head coach last season, and he asked me to join his new staff. It was the easiest “yes” of my life. For those who don't know, Coach Brett and I were on the CCHS soccer teams that won the school's first ever district championship in 2018 and a back-to-back championship in 2019. It's also a huge blessing to be able to coach and teach the game we love with his alumni brothers and our former teammates, Brian Bishop ’23 and Andrew Bishop ’18.
- Do you have other family members who attended Central Catholic?
Central Catholic has been a cornerstone in the history of my family. CCHS graduates in my family are:
Julie (Denko) Buchele ’84 - mother
Maggie (Buchele) Connors ’15 - sister
Amelia Buchele ’16 - sister
Joe Denko ’85 - uncle
Trevor O'Donnell ’11 - cousin
Kendall Denko ’16 - cousin
Alexa Denko ’19 - cousin
- What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?
Outside of work I like to stay busy. I enjoy running, walking, riding my bike, and exercising. I have run many 5Ks, multiple tough mudders, and I ran a half marathon in under an hour and a half my sophomore year of college. My family loves to travel, in particular camping. I've been lucky enough to visit many of our nation's national parks. My favorite trip was Yosemite. We were able to hike Half Dome as a family, which was a one of one experience.
- Feel free to add anything else you’d like to include so we can get to know you better!
I'm a pretty simple guy. I do have two cats at home that love to cause mayhem. I have to child lock all the cabinets because they're food crazy!
