Workshops and Professional Development

AI Learnathon

The 2026 AI Learnathon (March 27-April 30) is a month-long, system-wide initiative aimed at improving foundational AI literacy among faculty and staff. It encourages purposeful, hands-on engagement with AI to build comfort and proficiency, while promoting responsible use of emerging technologies. Participants are supported in earning certifications from recognized platforms such as Google and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), preparing them to effectively integrate AI into their professional roles.

Schedule

March 27: National AI Literacy Day & AI Learnathon Launch Day
April 2: CATIE Webinar (free, virtual event):
- The Ignite Faculty Innovation Town Hall: Spotlighting Transformative Approaches to Teaching convenes faculty from across the Texas A&M University System to ignite curiosity and spark innovative teaching practices. Hosted by the CATIE Faculty Innovation Workgroup, this half-day virtual event features an opening group faculty session, faculty panel discussions, and rapid-fire, 5-minute Ignite Talks that showcase bold approaches to teaching and technology integration. Discover what's possible when faculty collaborate, exchange breakthrough ideas, and push the boundaries of traditional instruction. This exclusive event is open to all faculty, staff and students of the A&M System, especially those interested in academic technology and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Join us to fuel your innovative spirit and help transform teaching and learning across the A&M System. To learn more and to register for sessions, visit the event page.

Chancellor's Faculty Innovation and Impact Symposium (April 9-10)
National AI Week (April 13-17)

How to Get Involved

Using existing Grow with Google and ACUE licenses for training and certification, the initiative focuses on practical, ethical, and role-relevant AI use that is designed to move participants from awareness to action. Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a tool that supports how work is done in higher education, research, administration, and the broader economy.

All faculty and staff are extended an invitation to take part by accessing courses (ranging in time and topics related to AI) using the links below:

Please keep in mind, these trainings could also potentially serve as documentation of teaching enhancement.

Peer Coaching

Are you a full- or part-time faculty member interested in receiving peer coaching?

Would you like to be able to demonstrate teaching effectiveness for your annual performance review or tenure and promotion?
Would you like to have someone observe and provide you constructive feedback on an individual class session, assignment, or course?
Are you interested in expanding your teaching horizons or to productively shake up your teaching habits?

What does the peer coaching process look like?

Send an email to otafa@tamut.edu expressing interest in receiving peer coaching.
OTAFA will pair you with a peer coach who will then contact you, and you and the coach will agree to the
1. parameters of the coaching (e.g., individual class, assignment, course)
2. desired outcomes; what is it that you would like to get from the coaching? Is the coaching for personal benefit? Is the coaching something you’d like to include in a performance review or tenure portfolio?
3. coordination of calendars (if face-to-face) or access (if online).
The peer coach will perform their observation based on your agreed-upon parameters and write up their feedback.
You and the coach will meet to discuss feedback.
The coach will notify OTAFA that the coaching assignment has been completed, and OTAFA will provide you with a letter confirming completion of the peer coaching process without revealing outcomes, discussions, or feedback.

Become a Peer Coach

The Office for Teaching and Faculty Advancement (OTAFA) invites your application to be an OTAFA Peer Coach. What is a peer coach? A peer coach is an experienced faculty member who provides service mentoring colleagues. Mentoring could be in the form of a teaching observation, review of an assignment or Canvas shell, or anything under the purview of classroom instruction. Your contribution would follow from your expertise and how you think you can contribute to the development of your colleagues. OTAFA will provide training and support, and the office will act as the organizing hub for peer coaches and faculty who would like to take advantage of the coaching. If you are interested in applying, please express your interest in an email to otafa@tamut.edu.

Requirements:

A minimum of five years of continuous, full-time faculty employment at A&M-Texarkana
Availability to coach both on campus and remotely

Time commitment:

Availability to attend a two-hour in-person training
For each peer coaching assignment, two hours. Of course, times may vary. Observing a class takes both the class time, a conversation with the faculty, and documentation; reviewing an assignment and offering feedback may be less, naturally.

Benefits:

You will receive a certificate acknowledging your service at the end of the semester
You will be providing much-needed service to the university community by assisting colleagues with documenting evidence of teaching effectiveness

OTAFA Advisory Board

Faculty members with at least one year of experience at TAMUT are invited to apply to serve on our advisory board. Members serve one academic year but may reapply for consecutive terms. Members are encouraged to attend and/or participate in OTAFA’s programming, including New Faculty Orientation, Lunch & Learn events, and other workshops and professional development opportunities. The board also meets once per long semester with OTAFA co-directors to provide regular feedback and propose new ideas. Please email otafa@tamut.edu for more information.