About the ATL

Every educator, ever better.

Our Mission

The Baylor University Academy for Teaching & Learning (ATL) exists to inspire, support, and advance a flourishing academic community.

Our Vision

Every educator equipped for success, committed to growth, and teaching with care.

Our Core Values

Care

• We believe teaching is an act of service. We cultivate a culture of care where educators support students, colleagues, and themselves with empathy, respect, and intentionality.

Diligence & Credibility

• We uphold the highest academic and ethical standards. Through disciplined effort and a commitment to scholarly integrity, we ensure our work remains relevant, reliable, and transformative.

Ingenuity

• We embrace creativity and adaptability in education. By fostering innovative teaching strategies and encouraging bold experimentation, we help educators navigate challenges and inspire meaningful learning.

Inquiry

• We champion curiosity and lifelong learning. A spirit of inquiry drives our approach to teaching, encouraging both faculty and students to ask deeper questions, challenge assumptions, and pursue truth with an open mind.

HISTORY OF THE ATL

The Academy of Teaching and Learning (ATL) began in a major strategic proposal involving faculty, staff, and students from all across the Baylor University community. Many colleges and universities have long had centers to support teaching excellence. Baylor’s vision drew on those predecessors but went even further. From its name to its nature, the ATL was designed to be a “school-within-a-school,” a program that focused on the most precious resources in any learning community: shared inquiry and transformative conversations.

The ATL was founded in 2008 with the arrival of former director, Dr. Gardner Campbell. During his three years at the ATL, he worked to catalyze and support those goals. Many of the programs at the ATL were started during his time, but the ATL continues to grow and develop with these programs and other initiatives.

There is a “virtuous cycle” deep within the heart of the university and its work. From shared inquiry and transformative conversations emerge much-needed innovation, vital projects, fresh ideas, and deeper connections. Those results then drive further shared inquiry and catalyze even more intensely transformative conversations. To facilitate this cycle, the ATL works with partners all across the Baylor community to support and inspire a flourishing community of learning.