WHEN DALE Buford walks into a classroom at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in Lebanon, it’s clear that this isn’t just another day at work. For Buford, teaching isn’t simply about sharing technical knowledge — it’s about changing lives, one student at a time. His dedication goes beyond lessons in blueprint reading or machine tool technology; it extends into every corner of his students’ lives, whether they need a mentor, a helping hand, or someone to believe in them.
It all began almost by accident. “I became an adjunct professor here at Lebanon when William Butrum, who I worked with at TRW, asked me to help him out,” Buford recalled. “The setup here at Lebanon has an upstairs and downstairs classroom/shop setup. So, I’d teach Blueprint Reading upstairs, and he’d run the shop downstairs. Then, we’d switch up as needed during the day. So, it was this campus by default.”
But Buford’s commitment to TCAT and its students wasn’t a decision made on a whim — it was a calling. Despite living an hour away from campus, he makes the daily commute because, for him, the real reward lies in seeing his students grow.
“What motivates me to make the hour drive is teaching the new students who come in each year,” he said, his passion shining through. “They come in not knowing much about machine tool technology, and in a short span of 14 months, they leave full of confidence and knowledge of how to make different things on milling machines, lathes, and CNC machinery. Their transition is nothing short of amazing!”
The energy in Buford’s classroom is very obvious. He’s the kind of teacher who doesn’t just talk at his students; he draws them in with his energy, his expertise, and his genuine care for their success. But his role doesn’t stop at being an instructor. Buford is the person students can rely on when things get tough.
He’s the teacher who steps in when another instructor is absent, or when a class needs extra hands. He’s the mentor who goes the extra mile to ensure no student falls behind.
“I once had to fill in for our welding instructor, who was having some medical issues. One of the welding students asked me to look at his weld on a particular project and give him some feedback,” Buford remembered. “When I pointed out that it looked like he stopped his weld and then picked it back up again, he was surprised that I noticed. And that was when I told him that I had several years of experience as a welder. He never had any questions after that.”
Buford’s expertise and generosity don’t stop at the shop. He’s known for stepping up behind the scenes, quietly helping students in need. “As I’ve been teaching here, there have been several students who had the drive and skill to exceed but lacked funds for various school-related items,” he explained. “Helping out where I can is a no-brainer for me. We all need help at some point in our lives, and I’m repaying those who helped me.”
If a student is struggling to pay for books or Occupational Safety and Health Adminstration training, he’ll quietly take care of it, ensuring they don’t have to worry about the financial burden. “If I hear that a student is struggling, I’ll step in and help without them even knowing,” he said modestly. “It’s important to me that they feel supported, not just in the classroom but in every way.”
Buford believes wholeheartedly that everyone deserves a chance to succeed. This mindset was shaped during his years volunteering for Court Appointed Special Advocates in Williamson County, where he worked with at-risk youth. “It really opened up my eyes,” he reflected. “People blame the kids for their bad behavior, but sometimes it’s the parents’ negative behavior. I had two boys at Fairview High School who were good kids, but whenever I went for a visit, I could look at their grades and attendance and tell you when their dad was out of jail. Whenever he was home, their attendance and grades would suffer, and when he was incarcerated, everything would improve. This cycle repeated itself until the boys eventually graduated high school and went to college.”
For Buford, the lesson was clear. “I’ve learned not to be hasty with labeling a kid ‘bad,’” he said thoughtfully. “Sometimes, they just need someone to listen and not judge them. That’s what I try to do with my students here.”
His nurturing approach goes beyond the classroom. “I tell all of our students that we’re not just teaching you a particular skill set, but life skills,” he said. “Our Worker Characteristics options teach them about organization, respect for others, how to communicate, have a positive attitude, how to cooperate and get along with others, and more. All 10 essential elements prepare them for life beyond TCAT.”
For Buford, the most rewarding part of teaching is seeing his students achieve their goals. “Hands down, the most rewarding part of being an educator is seeing that student walk across the stage in their cap and gown, receive their diploma, shake my hand, and walk off with the biggest grin on their face!” he said with pride. “That never gets old!”
It’s clear that for Buford, teaching is more than just a job — it’s a lifelong commitment to making the world a better place, one student at a time. GN
