Piedmont Adult School Newsletter

Piedmont Adult School (PAS) is continuing to expand its Career Technical Education (CTE) program, with a focus on supporting small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in our community.

This spring, PAS offered a dynamic lineup of practical, hands-on courses designed to help students build real-world skills and confidence. Classes included Microsoft Office, Introduction to AI, Business Planning, Marketing, Legal Issues for Small Business, Insurance for Small Business, The Path to Franchise Ownership, and Job Search Skills. Whether launching a new venture, strengthening an existing business, or preparing for the workforce, students found relevant tools they could apply right away.

Building on this momentum, PAS is pleased to introduce a new Certificate in Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship. Beginning in Fall 2026, students who complete three or more CTE courses at PAS will earn a certificate recognizing their dedication and achievement. This new offering provides a tangible way for students to showcase their learning—whether for career advancement, entrepreneurial goals, or personal growth.

At Piedmont Adult School, we are proud to offer flexible, high-quality programs that respond to the interests and needs of our community—and we look forward to continuing to expand opportunities in Career Technical Education.

Now in its fifth year, Piedmont Adult School’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program continues to thrive, serving more than 90 students across Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced levels. The program provides a welcoming environment where adult learners build language skills, confidence, and community.

A key component of the ESL structure is the Conversation Partners program. Building on its success last year, the program pairs ESL students with community volunteers for real-world English practice. Sessions are held just before or after class, making participation easy while giving students valuable opportunities to improve fluency and confidence.

The program also fosters meaningful connections. Elena, an ESL student and native Russian speaker, shared, “It’s the best—it really pushes me to use my English.” Her partner Nancy added, “We’ve discovered we actually have a lot in common.”

Director Shannon Fierro notes, “The Conversation Partners program is a wonderful way to bring our community together—supporting students while creating rewarding connections for volunteers.”

Through its growing ESL program, Piedmont Adult School continues to support language learning while strengthening community ties. If you are interested in serving as a Conversation Partners volunteer, please call (510) 594-2717.

For Danielle Linton, finishing high school was anything but a straight path. Growing up, she moved frequently between cities, family members, group homes, and foster care. “I didn’t have a stable or safe place to stay,” she says. “School just wasn’t a priority because I didn’t understand what it meant for my future.”

Instead, Danielle focused on getting by, and was able to take advantage of some good opportunities. She participated in a youth program with the San Francisco Foundation, helping review grant applications, and also reviewed submissions to The Beat Within, a publication featuring creative work from individuals impacted by the justice system. But instability in her housing and daily life made it difficult to stay focused on long-term goals.

Over the years, Danielle worked a range of jobs, including a summer housekeeping in Yosemite, while continuing to move from place to place. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she again experienced homelessness, and worried about her safety in the city-sponsored housing that was offered. “That was a turning point for me,” she says.

Soon after, Danielle found stable housing and began working in the security field. She advanced quickly, earning certifications and becoming an armed security professional. As her career grew, she began thinking about what came next. “I realized I needed my high school diploma to move forward,” she says.

With encouragement from a mentor at Laney College, Danielle enrolled at Piedmont Adult School. “Getting started was easy, and the online classes made it convenient,” she says. This time, her approach was different. “Now I understood how important it was. I was committed.”

Danielle credits her success to both her determination and the support she found along the way. “The biggest thing I learned was how to ask for help,” she says. “You can find support anywhere—you just need people who will guide you.”

Today, Danielle is proud to have earned her high school diploma and is continuing to work in security while preparing to take classes at Laney College. She is exploring studies in criminal justice and social work as she plans her next steps.

“I’m glad I didn’t give up,” she says. “I proved to myself that I can still try—and succeed.”

In Spring 2026, Piedmont Adult School introduced Your Stars, Your Story, a new class that invited students to explore astrology as a tool for insight, reflection, and personal growth.

In the class, instructor Ellen Mann introduced students to the foundations of astrology, including birth charts, planetary influences, and zodiac symbolism. Through discussion and reflection, students discovered that astrology can serve as a framework for understanding their experiences, navigating transitions, and finding direction in life.

Ellen’s own astrological journey began in college, creating birth charts by hand. This was long before modern software made things fast and easy. Years later, working in the creative world of advertising, Ellen returned to astrology, completing a certification program in record time. What began as a personal interest soon became something more. Co-workers lined up outside her office door, hoping for star-studded guidance.

Today, Ellen emphasizes that astrology isn’t about predicting the future. It’s a language that brings fresh perspective and new possibilities to life. “Astrology reveals things we aren't fully conscious of, but resonate inside us” Ellen says. “It’s grounded in astronomy—angles, patterns, and cycles—but also uses metaphor and storytelling. It’s like a bridge that connects left and right-brain thinking.

A central theme of Ellen’s class is finding one’s purpose (little “p”)– not a grand, audacious goal, but everyday pursuits that feel meaningful and pleasurable.

Thanks to community interest, Ellen is offering two different classes in Fall 2026: one for beginners and another for students who wish to dive deeper and broader into their own astrology birth charts. Her vision remains aspirational.

“I want students to explore their curiosity – not just about astrology, but about the stories they tell themselves."

Do you have a skill or expertise that you would like to share with the community? Piedmont Adult School is expanding its course offerings, and actively looking for new instructors.

We offer classes in the areas of Arts & Crafts, Business, Computers, Cooking, Health/Rec/Dance, Language, Music and more! We are especially looking for instructors in the area of Arts & Crafts (painting, drawing, needlework, beading, etc). Courses can range from single-session workshops to multi-week classes.

Requirements: deep knowledge, interest and enthusiasm about your topic, and an ability to share that knowledge effectively with adult learners.

Compensation is $37/hour. To apply, please click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to discuss further, please call (510) 594-2717.