Connecting Classrooms to the Real World: Trace Tyler’s Approach to Teaching Business Law
At Colorado Mesa University, business law can sometimes seem daunting, filled with contracts, ethics, and various rules. Yet, in Trace Tyler’s classroom, these topics become much more relatable and easier to grasp. Instead of just focusing on legal concepts, Tyler encourages discussions around judgment, responsibility, and everyday business decisions.
“Most of my teaching comes from sharing stories and examples,” Tyler explains. His aim is to pass on his wealth of knowledge and experience.
Tyler’s background sets him apart in the classroom. He has degrees in law, taxation, estate planning, political science, and leadership. His career includes roles such as a prosecutor, public defender, and owner of an insurance agency. Currently, he operates Trace Tyler Law, a firm that prioritizes clients and deals with areas like estate planning and business law.
Beyond law, Tyler ventured into the business world with his wife, Chandra, by launching Massage Envy in Grand Junction. This endeavor has expanded into a thriving clinic with over 25 employees and serves more than 700 members. This experience has given him a unique perspective on the challenges businesses face, from hiring staff to customer service and long-term planning.
Teaching had always been a goal for Tyler. He joined CMU in 2021 and now teaches business law and ethics at both undergraduate and graduate levels. At the beginning of each semester, he engages students by asking about their interests and career plans, tailoring discussions to their goals. Whether they aspire to be accountants, marketers, or entrepreneurs, he aims to make the class relevant to their futures.
“This is your class, and I’m here to guide where you want it to go,” he says. This collaborative approach helps students move beyond memorizing concepts. Tyler encourages them to think critically about how these ideas relate to real-life situations.
To enhance learning, he uses practical materials like films and case studies. For instance, he assigns “12 Angry Men” to explore jury dynamics and employs episodes of “The Office” to highlight legal issues in familiar settings. He even incorporates “coaching moments” into his teaching to provide constructive feedback and practical advice, fostering a supportive environment for his students.
“Feedback is meant to help people grow,” Tyler emphasizes. “I want them to enjoy their experience and make it memorable.”
Ultimately, Tyler believes that the lessons in business education go beyond legal knowledge. He hopes to equip students with sharper critical thinking skills, a strong sense of ethics, and a deeper understanding of respect in the workplace.
Throughout his varied career, Tyler has shown that while the roles of attorney, manager, business owner, and professor may seem different, they all require the same essential skills: sound judgment, clear communication, and the ability to collaborate effectively with others. Students enrolling in his classes gain not just legal insights but the real-world experiences that will aid them in their future careers.
