University Connections
Teaching USU 1010
Connections instructors have a tremendous impact on their students' transition to college. Like all teaching positions, this job is both challenging and rewarding. The Connections office provides instructors with a set curriculum and a partially set schedule, and then allows each instructor to customize portions of the course, making each section unique.
Instructor Task List and Timeline
Application
Faculty and staff members are welcome to apply to teach Connections. If you have questions about your teaching eligibility, please contact Lisa Hancock at lisa.hancock@usu.edu.
Connections Teaching Application (Due March 8)
Connections Overview
Connections is an early-semester course taught August 21-24, with two or three additional follow up sessions in the first weeks of fall semester, and one class follow-up during the week of October 14. It has a standard curriculum across all 60 sections, and allows instructors the opportunity to add additional insights.
Course Objectives and Outcomes
The course objectives and outcomes are central to all activities and instruction during the course. They can be found here.
Sample Schedule and Syllabus
Job Responsibilities
Specific job responsibilities, as well as resources provided to instructors, can be found in the instructor application. If you have specific questions about instructor responsibilities, the time commitment, or anything else, please contact a member of the Connections Advisory Committee or contact Lisa Hancock at 435-797-1125.
Compensation
Instructors are paid $1200 upon fulfilling the course responsibilities. Payment can be made through departmental fund transfer or payroll deposit.
Training
First-time instructors attend three training meetings for a total of 7 hours. Returning instructors attend two training meetings for a total of 5.5 hours.
- First-time instructor training: March 25 or 28 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. (choose one)
- Training for new and returning instructors: April 3 or 4 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. (choose one)
- Fall training for new and returning instructors: August 13 12:30-4:00 p.m. (lunch provided)
- Optional brown bag discussions are held April 17 and August 7, with additional discussions scheduled as needed.
Instructor Resources
Connections instructors can refer to a collection of lesson plans, icebreakers, ideas, and short videos that can be used in class.
