Continue to enhance your teaching by participating in the Early Career Teaching and Learning Program within the first five years you are an instructor or faculty member. Through discussion, practice, and reflection in cross-disciplinary large and small group interactions, you'll work to deepen your understanding of student learning and broaden teaching strategies with your courses in mind.
Large Group Sessions include pre-work, engagement in an interactive workshop, and teaching activities. Topics include:
- September - Course design and the first day
- October - Course climate and community
- November - How do we learn, anyway? Teaching for learning
- February - Assessing learning through activities and assignments
- March - Grading and academic integrity
- April - Evaluating your teaching and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
Small Group Discussions included a task to be completed and exchange of participant-created materials. Topics include:
- October - Planning your course context
- December - Applying teaching for learning
- January - Instructor well being and peer observation
- March - Syllabus exchange and ongoing changes to teaching
The core goal of the Early Career Teaching and Learning Program is to support faculty and instructors in developing and enhancing teaching skills as part of establishing a foundation for a lifetime of effective and engaging teaching.
Meeting Details
During 2025–2026, large groups will meet on Wednesdays from 3pm - 4:30pm (Central Time): September 17, October 15, November 12, February 18, March 25, and April 29. All large group sessions meet online via Zoom meetings.
Multidisciplinary small groups meet from 3pm – 4:30pm (central time) on October 22 and December 3, with dates and times for two meetings in the spring semester (in January and March or April) to be arranged based on participants' schedules.
Program Completion
To successfully complete the program and receive a formal letter of completion, you will:
- Complete session pre-work prior to large and small group meetings.
- Actively participate in 6 large and 4 small group meetings.
- Complete goal setting assignment and reflection.
Participants can expect to spend about 20 hours each semester engaging in program activities (preparing for and attending the large and small group sessions). While some make-up options are available, participants who miss more than one meeting may be asked to complete the program in a future year.
Participants in the New Faculty Program can earn four of eight credits through Early Career Teaching and Learning Program participation.
Apply for the 2025-2026 Cohort
Spots are filled on a first-come, first served basis, up to a maximum of 32 participants. Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2025.
To learn more or ask a question
Contact the program lead, Bill Rozaitis.