Tyran w. butler
Tyran W. Butler
Life Lessons
A Gainesville educator says life is the best teacher Story By:
C. M. Schmidlkofer
A
local educator says the best lessons for success come not just from the classroom, but from our own unique life experiences. “Lean in to what comes to you if there is good that you can do and lessons to be learned. We always learn from our experiences. I encourage people to embrace new and/or unexpected ones.” This sage advice is shared by Tyran W. Butler, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs for Career and
LEAN IN TO WHAT COMES TO YOU IF THERE IS GOOD THAT YOU CAN DO AND LESSONS TO BE LEARNED. WE ALWAYS LEARN FROM OUR EXPERIENCES. - Tyran W. Butler 60
SYNERGY MAGAZINE
Technical Education at Gainesville’s Santa Fe College. Speaking from experience, she said being open to receiving what comes your way is valuable, even if it does not appear to be so at the time. “Never did I expect to be in my current role. The plan I had for myself was different. However, the plan that is being worked is good.” Her career journey began when she graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Elementary Education. At that time, she was awarded a Virgil Hawkins scholarship to UF’s College of Law, but after a semester knew it wasn’t what she wanted. “On a whim, I took a teaching job in Lake City (for a semester) and ended up there for several years.” She went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, followed by a Ph.D. in Special Education, the latter earned on a UF Alumni Fellowship. She began her employment at Santa Fe in 2012, hired as the Director of the Education Programs Department. She served in that role until February 2002, when she was promoted to her current position where she supervises all
non-health science career and technical programs including the Perkins Programs, Secondary Career Pathways, and the Career and Job Placement Center. While she believes her experience and credentials made her the best candidate for the position she now holds, it’s not all
that is needed. “One of the most critical skills needed to serve in this role is a genuine desire to help people in our community access what Santa Fe College has to offer. I also believe that good communication and collaboration skills are critical in this role. Nothing is done in a silo.” It is also important to
