When The University of Alabama Teaching Academy (UATA) opened its doors in 2023, it became a crucial piece in the Capstone's mission to provide students a premier education, one that is embodied by outstanding teaching. The academy is a pivotal resource for faculty and instructors across campus, fueling instructional innovation that leads to excellent scholarship.

Housed in University Hall and an extension of the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education (OTIDE), the Teaching Academy offers faculty members across disciplines a gamut of professional development tools with the goal of elevating learning experiences for UA students. Some of these resources include workshops and seminars, online teaching resources and pedagogical guides, as well as a collaborative space where faculty and instructors can commune, sharing teaching methods, insights, skills, and more.

“My vision for the UA Teaching Academy is to create a vibrant hub of teaching innovation and collaboration,” said Dr. Claire Major, UATA faculty director and Distinguished Teaching Professor of higher education. “I envision faculty members from various disciplines coming together to exchange ideas, develop new teaching strategies and inspire each other to continuously evolve as educators.”

Also available through the UATA is the K. Patricia Cross Academy, founded by Executive Information Officer Dr. Major and Executive Director Dr. Elizabeth Barkley in honor of their colleague, educator and author Dr. K. Patricia Cross. Cross Academy offers an online database of videos, blog posts and teaching techniques. OTIDE recently received a $1 million endowment -- the largest single gift in its history -- to ensure that the Cross Academy library remains accessible for educators to utilize as needed.

The resources that the UA Teaching Academy provides offer invaluable insight to faculty and instructors that will elevate the learning experiences of their students.

"Our goal is to create a collaborative space where faculty can exchange insights, explore innovative teaching methods and develop skills that not only benefit their own professional growth, but also enhance the overall quality of education at UA," Dr. Major said.

As an innovate hub designed to assist UA faculty and instructors on their professional journeys, UATA can help educators identify the best teaching practices and be the exceptional leaders our students need to guide them toward success.

“The UA Teaching Academy is a vital new resource for faculty and instructors, fostering the implementation of cutting-edge learning and teaching practices and the professional development of everyone who teaches at UA," said Provost Jim Dalton. "With our new general education core curriculum rolling out in Fall 2025, it will quickly become a foundational element of academic excellence at UA.”