New UH Center For Teaching Excellence Offers Faculty Resources

Professors at the University of Houston are taking advantage of a new resource this fall, the recently established Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE). Spearheaded and directed by a faculty board of directors, the center is the result of the Faculty Senate’s ongoing effort to develop a culture of effective teaching within the university.

"As educators, we are constantly searching for ways to enhance our performance," said Dan Wells, chair of the CTE faculty board of directors. "With the Center for Teaching Excellence, UH faculty is provided with a home for workshops, seminars and training geared toward faculty enrichment."

The center officially opened its doors in June of this year and recently launched a comprehensive website for questions and resources related to the teaching mission of the university. Initially, the center will focus on key elements previously determined in a universitywide series of forums. Long-term plans for the center include expanding the scope of resources and adding to the board of directors.

The center leadership aims to foster a closer relationship between research and teaching, consistent with the university's Tier-One ambitions. The center will also partner with other campus organizations to publicize, administer and present Teaching Excellence Awards and curriculum development grants, as well as provide other incentives to improve teaching effectiveness.

Resources available through the center include training for teaching assistants, research and development, and incentives for teaching excellence. Other benefits include monthly faculty training and development venues, as well as training programs for teaching assistants. The ongoing workshops available to faculty are intended to encourage research and provide assistance with applying for external grant proposals.

This fall the center will kick off an ongoing brown bag lunch series to be held on the third Thursday of every month. The first lunch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 16 and will be held in the Faculty Senate Office, M.D. Anderson Library, Room 306. Upcoming topics include "Striving for Teaching Excellence" and "Effective Teaching in Large Classes."

Interested faculty members are encouraged to visit the Center for Teaching Excellence website, http://cte.uh.edu, for details on upcoming programs and events.

Travis Coggin