There is a line from a song in a film I loved in my childhood that goes something like this: tell everybody I’m on my way, new friends and new places to see. I’ve thought about this song a lot recently, because I couldn’t have ever predicted my path and the places it has taken me so far. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Without further ado, my name is Tyler Newberry, and I am thrilled to join UF/IFAS’s Pesticide Information Office as an Extension Program Specialist. Born and raised in Lakeland, FL, I eventually found my way north to Gainesville for college. At Florida, I earned a B.S. in Agricultural Education. Truthfully, I didn’t enter college with a clear direction, but I had enjoyed my agriculture classes in high school and those teachers convinced me to apply to UF. I still wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. However, being an Ag Ed major allowed me to take a variety of courses in many different disciplines across the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. And I thoroughly enjoyed all of them.
My professional experience started right as I moved to Gainesville, where I found a job working at Chick-fil-A. I spent a good chunk of my undergraduate years at CFA, where eventually I became a manager. This was my first foray into safety education, particularly food safety, as not only did I train new hires on these important procedures, but I was also responsible for maintaining strict standards all throughout the restaurant. Looking back, it was there that I learned how to make safety content feel relevant and urgent to the person in front of me.
From there, I completed my student teaching internship in Marianna, FL. I genuinely loved working with the students there, especially teaching career and leadership skills. I knew I was passionate about agricultural education, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to be a fully-fledged teacher on my own.
That brought me to graduate school at the University of Kentucky. I was lucky enough to meet the right people and earn an assistantship, working as a graduate teaching assistant while earning my master’s in Community and Leadership Development. This position allowed me to teach and work with undergraduate students. I explored education beyond a middle and high school classroom that I was used to. I also had the opportunity to run summer professional development opportunities for working professionals. Working with college students and career folks, I grew an appreciation for working with more targeted audiences, specialized content, and most importantly, students that have a real and immediate need to know. I found that I much
preferred adult education and connecting with adult learners through their experiences and practical skills. As it turns out, pesticide applicators are exactly that kind of audience.
After finishing my degree, I returned to Florida and taught high school agriculture for a brief stretch. During this time, a position with the Pesticide Information Office came across my radar. I applied on a whim, not having any direct background in pesticide safety education. I am grateful to the PIO for taking a chance on that!
Away from work, I have a great passion for any Gators sports team. You will find me routinely watching games and checking scores. I’ve also gotten into racquet sports over the last few years, particularly tennis and pickleball, and they tend to take up a decent portion of my free time. I am also a committed reader, currently on pace to finish about 50 books this year. If you have any recommendations, I am all ears.
As for what is ahead at the PIO, I could not be more excited. I was brought on to help transform some of the office’s existing resources. I will utilize my background in education and instructional design to reach our applicators’ needs. There is meaningful work to be done, and a community of learners who deserve materials built with care and intention. I’m ready to begin.
The road ahead is full of good things. That lyric sure rings true “tell everybody I’m on my way, new friends and new places to see” I am glad to have made it here!
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