Attention all users:

Please be advised that the Learning Management System (LMS) will be undergoing scheduled maintenance beginning on June 1 at 8:00 AM Central Time. The maintenance period will continue until June 12, when the LMS will relaunch.

During this time, the LMS will be inaccessible, so we kindly ask that all users complete any outstanding courses or assignments prior to the maintenance start date.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience as we work to improve the LMS experience. Thank you for your understanding.

Try one of our LEARNing series!



This training series serves as a holistic guide for educators to navigate the challenges of trauma within the educational environment, fostering a trauma-informed approach to education, and promoting resilience among both students and educators. Furthermore, it aims to create an empathetic, supportive, and responsive educational climate, benefiting all stakeholders in the educational community. By focusing on the principles of trauma-informed education, the series aids educators in facilitating an environment that encourages students to learn, grow, and thrive, despite the adversities they may have experienced.


The Trauma-Informed Educator, Part 1: Understanding Trauma
The Trauma-Informed Educator, Part 2: The Impact of Trauma
The Trauma-Informed Educator, Part 3: A Trauma-Sensitive Approach
The Trauma-Informed Educator, Part 4: Creating a Trauma-Informed Classroom
The Trauma-Informed Educator, Part 5: Secondary Trauma


This training series serves as a holistic guide for educators to navigate the challenges of trauma within the educational environment, fostering a trauma-informed approach to education, and promoting resilience among both students and educators. Furthermore, it aims to create an empathetic, supportive, and responsive educational climate, benefiting all stakeholders in the educational community. By focusing on the principles of trauma-informed education, the series aids educators in facilitating an environment that encourages students to learn, grow, and thrive, despite the adversities they may have experienced.


The Trauma-Informed Educator, Part 1: Understanding Trauma
The Trauma-Informed Educator, Part 2: The Impact of Trauma
The Trauma-Informed Educator, Part 3: A Trauma-Sensitive Approach
The Trauma-Informed Educator, Part 4: Creating a Trauma-Informed Classroom
The Trauma-Informed Educator, Part 5: Secondary Trauma



Instructional Design with Rigor in Mind is a groundbreaking course series that offers educators a comprehensive understanding of 'rigor' in education. Beginning with a pre-assessment and debunking common myths about rigor, the series progresses to defining rigor within an educational context and thoroughly explores the subject of alignment and its implications for different disciplines, including social studies. The concept of backward design is introduced as an effective strategy for enhancing rigor, coupled with its practical applications in lesson planning. The series culminates in a focus on devising a year-long plan aimed at fostering a rigorous and engaging curriculum. Combining theory with practical tools and reflective exercises, this course series empowers educators to cultivate an enriched, rigorous learning environment.


Instructional Design with Rigor in Mind, Extension: Creating High Expectations
Instructional Design with Rigor in Mind, Part 1: A Broad View of Rigor
Instructional Design with Rigor in Mind, Part 2: Learning at High Levels
Instructional Design with Rigor in Mind, Part 3: Planning for Daily Instruction


Instructional Design with Rigor in Mind is a groundbreaking course series that offers educators a comprehensive understanding of 'rigor' in education. Beginning with a pre-assessment and debunking common myths about rigor, the series progresses to defining rigor within an educational context and thoroughly explores the subject of alignment and its implications for different disciplines, including social studies. The concept of backward design is introduced as an effective strategy for enhancing rigor, coupled with its practical applications in lesson planning. The series culminates in a focus on devising a year-long plan aimed at fostering a rigorous and engaging curriculum. Combining theory with practical tools and reflective exercises, this course series empowers educators to cultivate an enriched, rigorous learning environment.


Instructional Design with Rigor in Mind, Extension: Creating High Expectations
Instructional Design with Rigor in Mind, Part 1: A Broad View of Rigor
Instructional Design with Rigor in Mind, Part 2: Learning at High Levels
Instructional Design with Rigor in Mind, Part 3: Planning for Daily Instruction




The University of Texas at Austin GEAR UP

PARTNER | IMPACT | CELEBRATE | SERVE


The University of Texas at Austin GEAR UP.  We are 2017, 2018, and 2022 GEAR UP Partnership grants funded by the Department of Education. We work with fifteen independent school districts in the Greater Austin, San Antonio, and East Texas regions and strive to increase college enrollment and persistence. School districts include Del Valle ISD, East Central ISD, Edgewood ISD, Lockhart ISD, Manor ISD, San Marcos CISD, Somerset ISD, Southwest ISD, Navasota ISD, Livingston ISD, South San Antonio ISD, Southside ISD, Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD, Lufkin ISD, Jasper ISD, and Port Arthur ISD.