2020 - Step into Tyler Roeger’s neighborhood

Tyler Roeger, director of the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL), has been at ECC for less than a year, but he knew he’d found the right fit during his campus tour.

“One of the things that really excited me about joining ECC was that during my initial campus visit, there were students active all over campus. The library study rooms were filled with groups, students were conversing at every table in Jobe Lounge, and there was a health professions fair where students were offering health check-ups,” said Roeger. “It was very encouraging to see students so engaged and involved throughout the campus.” 

Learn more about Roeger’s work supporting faculty and discover his surprising hidden talent below.

In your words, what do you do at ECC? What do you want others to know about your job?

I organize and help to facilitate programming and initiatives to support faculty and, ultimately, student learning. In addition to collaborating with others to determine content for faculty development, I see much of my role as helping to find avenues for faculty to share the amazing work they’re doing with one another and to see teaching as a group effort rather than a lone person in a classroom.

What is your greatest accomplishment since you’ve been here?

Being part of the new faculty orientation process has been very gratifying, as I’ve appreciated the opportunity to support people new to ECC or in new roles. It’s been a tremendously rewarding experience to help others acclimate to the college as I do so myself.

If you could live in a TV show, which show would it be and why?

I already put on a cardigan every time I enter my office, so I suppose I should just take the next step and live in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work (i.e., hobbies/interests)?

I watch a lot of movies, especially scary movies. Every October, my wife and I curate our own scary movie festival. I also try (and fail at) a lot of DIY home projects.

Lately, though, I most enjoy reading to my 1-year-old daughter. Our current favorite books are The Gruffalo and Hippos Go Berserk!

Where was the best place you’ve traveled? Or where would you like to visit?

I loved going to Hong Kong. Having delicious food everywhere, in small restaurants that seemed to be open all hours of the day, was incredible. A place that I would really like to travel to is New Orleans. I’m really excited about the prospect of doing a walking tour while eating a beignet.

What’s one fact about you that might surprise people?

I used to play guitar and do lead vocals in a death metal band. Don’t bother googling; I scrubbed the internet of it when I first start teaching.

If you could instantly be an expert in one thing, what would it be?

Getting my daughter to nap in her crib rather than insisting on being cuddled for the entirety of her naps. While I like the weekend cuddle-time, I often end up thinking about how much I could be getting done around the house or a movie I could be catching up on during the long naps.

What was your most valuable life lesson?

When I was 15, I worked as a soccer referee. There was a golf cart that the head referee (my boss) used to get around the fields. Early in my tenure, my boss sat in the passenger seat and asked me if I knew how to drive a golf cart. I did not, but responded “yes,” assuming I could quickly figure it out. The short drive ended with me driving directly into a brick wall, and my boss yelling, “My knee!” I learned that it’s often better to be a curious and enthusiastic learner than to pretend to know something you don’t.

What was your first job out of school? Grading online college courses that focused on Labor and Union History in the U.S.

Complete this sentence: “I enjoy working at ECC because … “

There’s never a lack of ideas. Everyone seems to always come to the table with many different ideas they’re excited about and interested in getting others involved.