About CTLE
Center for Teaching & Learning Excellence
Mission Statement
The mission of the CTLE is to (1) support instruction, (2) strengthen educator agency, and (3) consciously collaborate across the campus community to benefit the students at Nevada State University.
Vision Statement
The CTLE envisions teaching and learning excellence at Nevada State University where instruction is consistently strengthened over time, educators act with confidence and agency, and healthy collaboration across the campus community is the water in the aquarium – vital to sustaining life. Building on this foundation and aligned with the NSU’s mission and vision, we aim to cultivate a clear teaching identity, continuously evaluate and elevate programming, and build a strategic path for development with a clear focus on students.
Guiding Principles
- Safe and Supportive – students should feel safe sharing, experimenting, failing, and growing. A safe learning environment is inclusive, empathetic, and centers student learning.
- Consistent and Responsible – students respond to consistency. A responsible teacher plans engaging lessons, aligns standards with objectives and assessments, reflects on outcomes, and adjusts future lessons based on individual and collective needs.
- Transparent and Collaborative – open communication among colleagues, administrators, the community, and students is essential. Partnership and collaboration across these groups build the connections that help everyone meet expectations and reach shared goals. Honesty and trust are everything.
- Flexible and Committed – a flexible teacher stays open to change and embraces multiple pedagogical approaches. Commitment means care, seeking to understand, asking questions, and being willing to challenge the status quo when change is needed.
Belief Statement
Teaching means making choices, exerting influence, taking stances, leading, celebrating success, and recognizing and acting on opportunities for transformative beneficial change. We exist to strengthen pedagogy and support the educators who shape it. Every student deserves a caring, prepared, and supported teacher.
Our Team
Sierra Adare-Tasiwoopa Api
Instructional Technologist
Education:
Ph.D. in American Studies
Favorites:
Green; Pomegranate juice; the Star Trek universe
Sierra previously managed the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning at Niagara University, conducting integrative learning workshops centered around the latest research and best practices in instructional technology, outcomes, assessment, pedagogy, and online learning. Her conference presentations include generative AI, gamification, escape rooms, roleplaying games, and scenario-based learning, and she was awarded Best in Track for Technology and Future Trends at the Online Learning Consortium Accelerate 2022 Conference. Sierra is the author of Gamifying AI in Higher Education: Teaching Generative Artificial Intelligence Fluency, co-author of Gamification in Higher Education: A How-To Instructional Guide and editor and contributing author of Gamify Your College Classroom: Strategies to Foster Critical Thinking and Life Skills Across Disciplines, all published by Routledge. She has taught online and face-to-face courses in academic writing, American and Native American literature, film, American and world history, magazine writing, and contemporary issues.
CTLE areas of expertise include (but are not limited to): Canvas, Emerging Technologies
Jack Agamba
Instructional Designer
Education:
Ph.D. in Instructional Design
Favorites:
Blue; Blended Ginger, Turmeric, and Lemon; All Creatures Great and Small
Jack supports faculty at Nevada State University, providing learner-centered course design and accessibility and implementing instructional practices that increase student learning engagement and achievement to support the university’s academic mission. Jack joined the CTLE team in July 2020. Previously he worked at Idaho State University where he supported the Physical and Occupational Therapy Department faculty, providing learner-centered course design and high-impact practices to achieve established program benchmarks for student success. He has over 15 years’ experience as an instructional designer and has developed and taught online, blended, and traditional courses for more than ten years in various disciplines. He has also developed and delivered professional development to K-12 educators. Jack has published in several journals on learner-centeredness including the book Models for improving and optimizing online and blended learning in higher education (Keengwe & Agamba, 2015), as well as numerous conference presentations.
CTLE areas of expertise include (but are not limited to): Ally/Accessibility, Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Steve Hayden
Director; Associate Professor of Teacher Education
Education:
Ph.D. in Teacher Education
Favorites:
Green; Iced Americano; The Wire
Steve is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education, former pre-K, elementary, and middle school teacher, and new Director of the CTLE. The foundation of his teaching philosophy is that every student deserves a caring, prepared, and supported teacher. Great teaching is being your authentic self, honest, and trustworthy. His time in education has offered a breadth of experience in developing programs, collaborating with colleagues, and conducting innovative research. Steve’s devotion to excellent teaching would not be anywhere without a commitment to students. Students are the heart and soul of education. His area of research is teacher agency (beneficial change for self, students, and community). This identity-driven concept comes to mind when considering the ability to take initiative, collaborate, and generate new ideas. He is deeply committed to the work.
CTLE areas of expertise include (but are not limited to): Agency, Teacher Education, Pedagogy
Request a Consultation
Ready to enhance your teaching? Request a consultation with the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) for personalized support and practical strategies.