The Celebration of Great Teaching (CGT) Retreat is a professional development experience unlike any other. Rather than bringing in outside experts, the retreat draws on the collective wisdom of practicing educators. Participants explore universal teaching principles, exchange ideas, and develop strategies that strengthen student engagement.

Many attendees describe it as the most meaningful professional development experience of their careers. It’s an opportunity to reflect, recharge, and return to the classroom with practical takeaways that can be used immediately.

The Lasting Impact of the Celebration of Great Teaching Retreat

Faculty consistently highlight the retreat’s impact on both their teaching and professional growth.

“The retreat is one of those experiences that faculty look forward to every year. It’s a chance to step away from the day-to-day, connect with colleagues, and pick up some really useful teaching strategies—all in a setting that feels more like a getaway than a conference. You’ll leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to bring new ideas into your classroom.”

– Chelsea Biggerstaff, Manager, Office of Faculty Development


The retreat provides:

  • 12 Hours of Professional Development: Attending the retreat counts toward the annual professional development hours requirement for full-time and adjunct faculty.
  • A Supportive Learning Community: Connect with colleagues across disciplines, exchange ideas, and gain fresh perspectives.
  • Practical Teaching Strategies: Explore approaches that address real classroom challenges and leave with actionable ideas.
  • Renewed Passion for Teaching: Step away from daily responsibilities to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with your purpose.
A Transformative Experience: Faculty Voices

Here’s how faculty members describe the experience in their own words.

“The best part of the Celebration of Great Teaching is that it reactivates your teacher’s heart. Connecting with other educators without the pressure of deliverables opened me up to simply reflecting on my practices and helped me remember why I got into teaching in the first place.”

– Amy Ashton Cunningham, English Professor, Faculty Talent Onboarding Lead Facilitator

“Although it wasn’t something new, I saw the way we were broken up into small groups during the retreat and thought this was a practice I should utilize more in the classroom.”

– Ray Sandoval, Student Development Faculty Member

“The exchange of ideas on effective communication and teaching was unmatched. Besides the professional development trainings, the days were filled with fun activities such as horse riding, volleyball, and hay riding.”

– Dr. Tulashi Dahal, Adjunct Associate Professor, Physics

2026 CGT Details

  • Dates: April 24–26, 2026 (Friday afternoon–Sunday afternoon)
  • Location: Flying L Ranch Resort, 675 Flying L Dr, Bandera, TX 78003
  • Cost: ACC covers all expenses except transportation, excursions, or personal incidentals.
  • Limited Spots: 25 participants will be selected from all applicants. All faculty are welcome to apply.
  • Deadline to Apply: Monday, March 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Apply today to be part of this transformative professional development experience. For questions or special accommodations, contact the Office of Faculty Development at [email protected].

Apply Here