Center for Advancing Teaching Excellence: Home

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Center for Advancing Teaching Excellence

The Center for Advancing Teaching Excellence (CATE) champions student-centered teaching and learning at the Moody College of Communication. 

We work with faculty, instructors, and graduate students to support course design and develop teaching expertise. By fostering innovative and collaborative teaching practices, CATE aims to ensure Moody College students experience authentic and memorable learning to prepare for success in life and career. 

Featured Announcements

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Fall 2025 CATECon

Sign up for Fall 2025 CATECon and get ahead on successful planning. This mini conference offers back-to-back sessions and collaborative workshops to build your Canvas course, backward design the course schedule, and leverage UT simple syllabus.

A screenshot of the Canvas left navigation with options for Home, Announcements, UT Simple Syllabus (highlighted), Modules, and Grades

Simple Syllabus

Streamline your syllabus development by utilizing the newly updated Moody College template in Simple Syllabus! Look for "UT Simple Syllabus" in the left navigation of your Canvas Course. Email Shelly Furness if you need assistance.

CATE Canvas Workshops

Newest Canvas Course Template

The newest version of the CATE Canvas course template is available! Request your copy from Shelly Furness to jumpstart the learning pathway for student success.

Important Resources for Teaching

Click here for resources to support effective teaching at Moody College! 

CATE has complied this reference document with links to essential teaching resources for new and returning faculty. Access and bookmark this in your browser for handy reference when designing a new course, at the beginning of new semesters, or throughout an on-going semester. Updates are made periodically, so check back often to refresh your memory and stay up-to-date with the instructional practices that make Moody College an excellent place to learn! 

Connect with CATE

Please email our Coordinator for Teaching Excellence,  Rachelle (Shelly) Furness, with questions, to request a training, or to make a consulting appointment! rachelle.furness@austin.utexas.edu 

If you're not finding everything you need on the CATE website, please schedule a CATE consultation for personal and direct assistance. You can also check out The Center for Teaching and Learning or UT Austin's Faculty Central hub for teaching guidance, as well as information on important topics for faculty members, such as campus facilities and employee resources.