This time of year can feel like a marathon with grading and the big push toward finals. As we navigate these last weeks together, we want to share opportunities that can bring a spark of inspiration for the year ahead.

• Nominate your colleagues (and yourself!) for exemplary teaching
• Find funding for that new teaching innovation you'd like to try
• Join a supportive teaching community
• Find support in creating accessible digital content
• Low-lift strategies to embed peer support in your spring courses

These opportunities are here to help you recharge and grow.

🏆 Nominations for Teaching Excellence Awards are Due December 19!

The Teaching Excellence Awards (TEA) honor faculty who have demonstrated excellence in fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. This year, the TEC and CTL are introducing an updated structure for the UNM Teaching Excellence Awards that aligns with the UNM Framework for Teaching and Learning Success. This new format highlights UNM's seven Teaching and Learning Principles and expands opportunities for educators across all campuses and contract types to be recognized for excellence in teaching.

Nominees will be contacted with further instructions on the application process by December 19, 2025. Application packets will be due January 23.

📝 Teaching Allocation Grants

Teaching Allocation Grants (TAG) are designed to fund projects that improve teaching practices and enhance student learning experiences. These grants encourage faculty to develop new approaches to teaching and address the diverse needs of UNM's student population. Proposals might include redesigning courses, adopting new technologies, or creating interdisciplinary learning opportunities.

Proposals should clearly outline:

• The impact on student learning and engagement
• The number of students who will benefit
• A clear assessment plan to measure success

For more information on the TAG award, including previous award recipients, visit the Center for Teaching and Learning website.

📣 Calling New and New-ish Faculty and Post-Docs!

Join the Designing for Depth and Engagement Community of Practice and explore how to create transformational learning experiences using backward design, active learning, authentic assessment strategies, and are informed by an asset-based approach to your design choices. Sessions include resource sharing, collaborative problem-solving, and space to apply new ideas. This Community of Practice is appropriate for new and recent hires. While we will be prioritizing spaces for faculty new to UNM, we welcome all to apply. Upon completing the work of the CoP, you'll be provided with a $500 award.

🤝 Looking for Another Opportunity to Connect?

Led by 2024–2026 Presidential Teaching Fellow Leola Tsinnajinnie Paquin, the Pedagogical Wellness Community of Practice brings together educators to explore and advance well-being as foundational to teaching and learning. We will explore questions including: What does it mean to teach and learn from a place of well-being? How might conceptions of well-being inform our curriculum design, teaching practices and policies? In what ways can pedagogies of well-being foster transformative learning and professional development for student and educator success? Spots for this opportunity are limited. Please register soon!

🟥🟦 A&S Faculty at Albuquerque Campus: Join the Spring Teaching Squares Program! 🟩🟨

A new pilot program from CTL and A&S brings together four instructors from the same department to observe one another's teaching—not to critique, but to reflect and grow. Open to tenured/tenure-track faculty, lecturers, and part-time instructors.

• Time Commitment: approximately 10 hours over the semester
• Stipend: $1,000 per instructor upon completion
• Sign up by December 15!

🐝 Small Additions to Increase Peer Support in Your Spring Courses 🌸

Looking for low-lift ways to increase peer support in your classes for spring? The CTL has a useful guide with ideas based on your discipline and our areas of support that can help you get started.

👨‍🎤 Ch-ch-ch-changes Coming to Digital Accessibility Regulations

In April 2024, the Department of Justice issued a final ruling updating ADA Title II to ensure that web and mobile content is accessible to persons with disabilities. The compliance deadlines vary by the population size surrounding a public institution, and the UNM Albuquerque campus deadline for compliance is April 26, 2026. The regulation gives guidelines for using the WCAG 2.1 web standard to be in compliance with the ruling. Below are CTL resources to support you.

• Digital Accessibility Website with guidance for meeting the updated standards and examples
• Charting the Path to Digital Accessibility: a self-paced three-week course with optional synchronous sessions to meet with instructional designers.
• Visit the CTL Instructional Designer Bookings Page to schedule an appointment for 1:1 support at your convenience.