Whether you went to school for particular subject or you are an avid independent learner, there may come a time when you want to share what you know with others. While you may be able to post flyers and garner interest in classes you teach from your home, you can reach a bigger audience and exhibit a more professional stance if you teach through an established location.
Where to Offer Continuing Education Courses
After you’ve decided what types of community education classes you would be interested in teaching (see Create and Teach Community Education Classes), you want to match those topics to locations where you can teach them. When you write a letter offering to teach the class at a location, you need to express how your topic will be of interest to the people who go to that school or store.
This requires a bit of creative brainstorming. If you want to teach others how to scrapbook, you could approach craft stores, but you might also convince daycare centers, senior centers, and local Girl Scout troops to let you teach your craft to them. Think about who could be interested in taking your class and where you could find these potential students.
Because colleges along with a town’s library, recreation, and community education programs are trying to reach a broad range of people, you don’t have to be worried about matching your classes to the location; however, knowledge of your course’s audience will help convince the continuing education program that people will come to your class.
Write a Description of an Adult Education Class
In 100-to-200 words describe what the class will teach the potential student. Is this a hands-on class where students will be physically moving around and creating something? Will students be walking or hiking outdoors? Will you be guiding students through writing activities? Will you be lecturing on a topic?
Imagine that the class has happened and one of your students is telling someone what he did the previous night in your class; what does that person have to say? Quantify, when possible, what students will take away from the class – “you will scrapbook two pages,” “you will learn to identify five common mushroom groups,” “you will learn five techniques for reducing stress.”
This description can also serve as an outline for planning the class. Since the time between proposing a class and actually teaching it can be four-to-six months, make sure that you read your description before planning the class so you meet your students’ expectations.
Write a Letter Directed to an Adult Education Program
A proposal for a community education course can be a letter. Since the class is non-credit, it isn’t necessary to send along a resume or other proof of your expertise. You want your letter to explain why you are the best person to teach the class or classes you want to offer.
Don’t apologize for an interest not being attached to a college degree. Be forthright and specific about your level of commitment to a topic, “After losing 100 pounds and then helping seventeen friends and relatives to lose a total of 2000 pounds, I know how to guide people toward leading a healthier lifestyle."
In your letter, explain who you are and why you want to offer these classes. Include a description of the class’s content, the length of the class (two hours; four meetings of two hours each), and who you believe would take the class. Do not suggest a rate of pay or list specific dates for the classes.
Some of the information in this letter can be used for other letters to other locations. If you are offering to teach at a specialized location, such as a retail shop, you will need to explain why the class works with other programs they already offer. End with a positive note, “I look forward to talking to you about working these programs into your spring offerings.”
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