Teaching & Learning Academy
Explore the Art, Heart, and Science of Teaching and Learning!
Developed by ACC faculty for ACC faculty and anchored in the ACC Faculty Values, this yearlong program provides student success tools for experienced and new faculty by:
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- drawing on evidence-based practices
- deepening faculty reflection
- inspiring teaching innovation
The basics:
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- Four total courses: two in the fall and two in the spring
- Each course completion awards faculty three professional development hours (Kickoff Retreat also earns three professional development hours for a total of 15)
- Courses are also available as CE credits for TLA participants who register
- Each course completion will result in an award of a professional development badge
- Graduates of the academy earn a $1,500 stipend
Learn more: Contact Teaching and Learning Academy Faculty Lead Susan Diamond by sending an email to sdiamond@austincc.edu.
The application deadline has passed.
Over 200 Graduates to Date!
From Alumni:
“My students reported that many of these changes helped them in their coursework, so the benefit to students through my benefit was immediate, as well as (hopefully!) one that will continue to increase over time.”
Ninety-six percent of TLA participants reported that they already are, or will be soon, using what they learned in this program.
Learn More About the TLA Experience
TLA Yearlong Cohort 2025-26
The yearlong program begins with a synchronous, virtual meeting to establish a community of learners that explores the scholarship, art, and passion of teaching and continues over fall and spring semesters through hybrid coursework. The 2025-2026 Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, September 12, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fall 2025 Cohort
Completion & Stipend Information:
Upon successful completion of the yearlong version of the TLA and participant agreement requirements (listed below), participants will receive 15 hours of professional development credit and a stipend of $1,500. Faculty may choose to also receive 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for each completed course.
Participants will be recognized by the chancellor and by TLED as a Teaching & Learning Champion and will receive digital badges for each course completed and for completing the entire TLA program.
The TLA is an opportunity for employees with full-time or adjunct faculty roles. Adult education and continuing education instructors are not eligible to participate.
Important Dates & Course Previews
Kickoff
The 2025-2026 Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, September 12, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Course & Cohort Meeting Dates
Fall 16-week / Start: 8/25/25
Title: Teaching to the Brain Course
Dates: 9/15/25 – 10/10/25 – View Preview
Teaching to the Brain Cohort Meeting
Date/Time: Friday, 10/17/25, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Title: Building a Community of Learners Course
Dates: 10/20/25 – 11/14/25 – View Preview
Building a Community of Learners Cohort Meeting
Date/Time: Friday, 11/21/25, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Spring 16-week / Start: 1/20/26
Title: Engaging Students for Learning Course
Dates: 2/2/26 – 2/27/26 – View Preview
Engaging Students for Learning Cohort Meeting
Date/Time: 3/6/26, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Spring Break: 3/16/26 – 3/20/26
Title: Assessing Students’ Learning Course
Dates: 3/23/26 – 4/17/26 – View Preview
Assessing Students’ Learning Cohort Meeting
Date/Time: Friday, 4/24/26, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Faculty Values
Anchored in the ACC Faculty Values and developed by faculty for faculty, the Teaching and Learning Academy (TLA) contributes to student success by supporting faculty through evidence-based teaching strategies, reflective practice, and teaching innovation.
Program Alumni
Since 2019, more than 200 faculty have graduated from the TLA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you give me a quick synopsis of the TLA?
Sure, feel free to check out this video.
What is the time commitment for the program?
The program is divided into four courses, which are designed to take 15 hours each to complete (12 hours in instruction and three hours in a cohort meeting). We offer a yearlong program that covers each 15-hour course in five weeks or a summer program that condenses each 15-hour course into five days.
What if I have limited teaching experience?
TLA is a perfect way to incorporate research-based practices as you learn from colleagues from many areas of study throughout the college.
I have been successfully teaching for decades. What can the program offer me?
The TLA is a great way to refresh and reinvigorate your courses with the latest research in the neuroscience of learning, and new techniques for inclusive and engaging teaching and assessment. Plus, you can offer your wisdom to your colleagues with less history teaching, who just might refresh your perspective and reignite your passion for teaching!
How will I be graded for the courses?
An important point is that your colleagues who are administering the TLA are not here to “grade your work.” Points are used to measure how much of each course you have completed and are assigned for weekly interactions with fellow participants, as well as a reflection at the end of each course, designed to help you bring what you have learned to your students. At the end of the final course, you will work on creating (or further refining) your professional development plan, with the goal that TLA will be a springboard for future collaborations with colleagues and students.
How are my time and efforts compensated?
Besides the satisfaction of improved student learning and engagement, upon completion of the four courses, you will also be recognized by the provost and TLED as an ACC Champion of Teaching. You will receive a stipend of $1,500. If you complete all courses in the TLA, you will earn 15 hours of professional development credit, five professional development badges (one for each course and one for completion of the academy), and optional continuing education credit.
Can you tell me in a nutshell what the requirements are for participants?
Attend the Kickoff Retreat, as well as all four synchronous course wrap-up meetings.
Complete at least 80% of the required coursework for each course.
These are the minimum requirements. We hope you also find it rewarding, fun, challenging, and inspirational! But those are all optional, of course.
The TLA is an opportunity for employees with full-time or adjunct faculty roles. Adult education and continuing education instructors are not eligible to participate.
How was TLA developed?
TLA has been lovingly “homegrown” right here at ACC. Twenty-five members of the ACC faculty from across many areas of study wrote its original curriculum. TLA is supported by the resources of TLED with assistance from the Office of Distance and Alternative Education, as well as the Office of Faculty Development. Essential to the Teaching and Learning Academy is the creation of a cohort of faculty who will learn from each other by exploring the scholarship, art, and passion of teaching.
What is the curriculum?
(Hold onto your seats, this is a long answer!)
The Teaching and Learning Academy is divided into four courses. Courses 1 and 2 are offered in the fall, and Courses 3 and 4 are in the spring.
Course 1: Teaching to the Brain: delves into how students learn and how to help learners remember new material, as well as how to understand how learning takes place in themselves. Metacognition, active learning, and study modes that do (and don’t!) work are considered, as well as the introduction of how a growth mind-set makes a huge difference in student resilience and persistence.
Course 2: Building a Community of Learners: looks at ways to build a welcoming and safe learning environment for all students by helping them feel valued as individuals with unique attributes that can support their own success and that of their classmates. Concepts such as universal design for learning, culturally responsive teaching, and understanding bias as a barrier to learning are explored.
Course 3: Engaging Students for Learning: builds on prior coursework in thinking about active learning within an inclusive learning setting, and how we as ACC faculty can help students find relevance in their studies. The attributes of adult learners are considered, as well as methods of interacting and collaborating with students that are genuine and give them voice and choice as they make their way to becoming empowered learners.
Course 4: Assessing Students’ Learning: We begin with how to ensure students learn stated course objectives and how to make assessments that align with course objectives. We look at the value of formative and summative assessment, and how to make assessment more fair. Grading practices that can unintentionally harm students are considered within the context of the grade and percentage systems. There is a final module that allows participants to reflect on teaching as a whole after participating in the TLA.
What if I still have more questions?
Contact the Faculty Lead, Susan Diamond, at sdiamond@austincc.edu.
Contact
For questions about the Teaching and Learning Academy, please contact Susan Diamond via sdiamond@austincc.edu.