University of Wisconsin-Platteville Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Education Dr. Hilton Kelly announces the hiring of Dr. Tim Buttles as the new director of the School of Education.
Buttles has been at UW-River Falls since 2001, working his way up from assistant, associate and full professor. He has served as the co-chair of the Agricultural Education Department since 2005, and since January 2022, he has also been the interim assistant dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies.
“We are elated that Dr. Tim Buttles will be joining us in July as the next Director of the School of Education. He has decades of experiences in education, particularly rural education, which includes being a high school agriscience and biology teacher, a full professor, a department chair, a learning effectiveness coordinator, and an interim assistant dean in a college of education,” Kelly said. “In his interview, our conversation moved quickly from question-answer to his becoming a thought-partner. Tim Buttles is a proven leader who will be able to continue our regional and national leadership in rural education and outreach.
Buttles earned his Bachelor of Science from UW-Madison, his master’s from UW-River Falls and his doctorate from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
He has experience in graduate and undergraduate programs and has worked extensively with the UW System and Wisconsin Department of Instruction to aid teacher education and placement.
“I am excited to join the students, staff and faculty within the School of Education, College of Liberal Arts and Education, and UW-Platteville,” Buttles said. “I look forward to working with the campus community, alumni, and other stakeholders to build on the school's strengths in preparing teachers.”
UW-Platteville was the first normal school in Wisconsin and has been educating teachers since 1866. The university graduates an average of 120 students per year in education, with 80 percent of the graduates teaching in rural communities.
“I offer my sincere thanks to Dr. Lindsay Hollingsworth, who has served meritoriously as the interim Director of School of Education since July,” Kelly said. “The School of Education has continued to soar. I appreciate her collaborative partnership and her dedicated leadership as she has guided the School of Education through this period of transition.”