The Early Career Teaching Connections program aims to foster a sense of community among educators who are new to UT, promoting their professional development through meaningful interactions and shared experiences. ECTC is designed for faculty in their first 5 years at UT to engage with the broad spectrum of the Longhorn Learning Experience: teaching resources, students, and peers.
Participants can attend ECTC events and other designated activities throughout the academic year and at their own pace. Upon engagement with all of the core program elements, participants will then receive the Early Career Teaching Connections Badge.
Program Outcomes: By completing the Early Career Teaching Connections badge, participants will engage with the following areas:
- Resources: Campus teaching and learning resources
- Students: Your students and their Longhorn Learning Experiences
- Peers: Your fellow educators across disciplines
Is this program right for me?
Early Career Teaching Connections events and programs are designed specifically for instructors in their first five years at UT. However, if you feel that the programs offered here are relevant and important to you at this stage in your career, you are welcome to participate as well.
How can I participate in ECTC programs?
- Register for the Early Career Teaching Connections program.
- Attend Early Career Teaching Connections events and other qualifying activities, and submit your participation in this online form.
- Earn 2 credits towards each engagement area, and complete the brief culminating reflection for each area. At least one activity in each area must be an official ECTC session.
- Track your progress, and access resources and relevant content, in the ECTC Canvas Course (coming Fall 2025!).
- Complete a final summative activity to receive the badge.
How long will it take to complete the ECTC badge?
Participants can earn credits at their own pace. While there may not always be enough sessions to complete the badge within one semester, there will always be enough eligible sessions to complete the badge within one calendar year.
Eligible Sessions for Fall 2025
Participating in the eligible activities below will count towards the ECTC Badge (Spring 2026 Coming Soon):
- Resources
- Early Career Teaching Connections: Guided Experience, James Turrell Skyspace (11/17)
- Center for Teaching and Learning: Accessible Pedagogy Conversations (Every Tuesday; attend at least 2 sessions), CTL Tricks, Treats, and Haunted Hangout (10/29)
- Students
- Early Career Teaching Connections: coming Spring 2026
- Center for Teaching and Learning: coming Spring 2026
- Peers
- Early Career Teaching Connections: Self and Community Care with Recreational Sports (11/03)
- Center for Teaching and Learning: Early Career Faculty Book Club: Learner Centered Teaching (September/October 2025; attend at least 2 sessions), Plant Care, Self Care: Faculty Succulent Social (11/12), PTF Think Tank: Engagement in Large or Required Courses (11/10)
Questions?
Contact Sarah Schoonhoven or Ligia Gonzalez with questions or for more information about the CTL’s early career faculty programs.