Grow With Us!
Taking Root
It's been two years since I joined Lifelong Ed in the Winter term of 2024. I have become familiar with the sight of students wheeling in art, craft, or wood supplies, teachers signing in at the office and chatting with Denese, first-time visitors looking dazed and relieved to have finally found our parking lot (!). From the start, I have savored the life of this program. It's the real connections people make in classes, the deep and stimulating learning happening, the well-being in mind and body being cultivated, and the pure enjoyment of engaging an interesting hobby or topic alongside real people that makes this such an outstanding place to be. As I continue to grow in my role supporting Lifelong Ed, I treasure the fact that I am planted alongside teachers and students like you. And, if you aren't a current teacher or a student, we invite you to come grow with us!
The letters below were created by instructors from 10 of our classes. Can you guess what they are? Come by our office to see the real things - in all of their glory!
Just like plants, people grow in the right conditions. Here are some comments from Lifelong Ed students when asked about our program and teachers:
🍀So glad I am taking classes at MDAE. I have opened up a creative side to me I didn't know I had!
🍀You're the best! I have learned so much - it's an incredible resource that I feel so lucky to be able to make use of. Inspiring and fun - my classes often were the highlight of my week, and I'm excited to hopefully take more soon.
🍀This is the third class I’ve taken and I have really learned from, and enjoyed, them all. I met a lot of very nice people. I plan on taking more.
🍀Campus is nice and feels safe.
🍀The instructor is amazing! I have learned so much and am grateful to him for being a great teacher and awesome human!
🍀[I loved] how knowledgeable the instructor was and how much she liked sharing her knowledge. Also, how she encouraged each student.
🍀The yoga practice is the perfect mix of challenging and relaxing.
🍀[The class provided] the ability to work on own projects at own pace, with expert instructors to provide guidance.
Is it time for you to to dig into a new class or two and experience the energy of new growth - in your body, mind, social connections, and well-being? New March classes are listed below, and registration for Spring term opens next Wednesday, March 11th at 8am online, and at 10am in the Lifelong Ed office.
Lifelong Ed - we're rooting for you!!!! 🌿
Below: Students learn to propagate and plant succulents in Marsha's Succulents and Backyard Gardening! class.
SATURDAY CLASSES ARE COMING!
We heard your requests and are pleased to announce that starting Spring term, select Saturdays are now open for classes at Lifelong Ed. Look for the new listings starting March 11th.
Searching for a Yoga Teacher
Our wonderful Wednesday evening Hatha Yoga instructor, Norma Meyerkorth, will be moving on from Lifelong Ed at the end of Winter term. For the sake of the great group of students who make up her class, we would love to continue offering a Wednesday 6pm yoga class. If you know of a certified yoga instructor who might be interested in teaching with us, please email Jan at schmitzj@mdusd.org.
A precious TA missed the list last month!
Our apologies to veteran Woodworking TA, Kent Ball, whose name fell off the list of amazing TAs that we thanked in last month's newsletter. He now gets his own section for us to say....THANK YOU, KENT, FOR ALL YOU DO!!!!! 🙂
Spring Registration Opens Wednesday, March 11th - 8am online, 10am in-person
The Spring catalog goes live online on March 11th, and will get mailed out that day.
To register for any class, click the registration link in this newsletter or go to our website: mdae.mdusd.org. If you have any questions, call us at (925) 937-1530, or email us at lifelonged@mdusd.org.
REFUND POLICY: Requests for refund must be in writing (lifelonged@mdusd.org) and received no later than two working days prior to the start of class. A $20 processing fee will be deducted from each refund. Please allow two weeks for refunds to post. No refunds are awarded after class start date. A full refund (no processing fee) will be given to students if Adult Education cancels the class. Lifelong Education does not transfer refunds between classes.
Embutido (Filipino Meatloaf)
Ready for a different style of meatloaf? Embutido, a meatloaf made with ground pork, stuffed vegetables, Filipino sausage, and flavoring, may be served cold, or even fried after steaming. Includes yummy side dish of fried rice and palamig (a sweet tapioca drink).
Tuesday, March 24, 6:00-9:00 PM
Instructor: Rhona Gomez
$55 • Register
Jump, Jitter, and Jive! Introduction to Swing
An introduction to swing dancing from jitterbug to east coast swing. Our goal is to feel comfortable on the dance floor and most importantly, have fun!
Wednesdays, Mar 4-25, 8:15-9:00 PM
Instructor: Anna Browett
$34 • Register
Small Business Forum
Come as you are - idea stage, startup, or seasoned small business owner. Connect, learn, and grow with resource sharing, business coaching, networking and peer support. Hosted by Lifelong Ed instructors with small business and business consulting experience.
Tuesday, Mar 17, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
Instructor: Jeff Traeger
$26 • Register
Welcome to Medicare
For those new to Medicare, this free class presented by the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) in Contra Costa County covers aspects of Medicare Health and related health insurance. If you have questions about the class, call HICAP (925) 655-1393 or visit cchicap.org.
Tuesday, Mar 17, 7:00-9:00 PM
Instructor: Shari Safianoff
Free • Register
Organize – Organize Your Garage In No Time
You don’t need to empty your garage entirely to get organized. You can do it a few hours at a time. Learn a system of organizing that enables you to be fast and decisive. Become familiar with products that can help you effectively store the things you keep. The information presented can be used to organize any storage area. Gloria Bullock is an experienced professional organizer.
Thursday, Mar 5, 7:00-9:00 PM
Instructor: Gloria Bullock
$26 • Register
Dear Denese
In this section, veteran Program Secretary, Denese Landry, answers your pressing questions.
Q: Help! I'm going to be out of town on March 11th. Can you hold a spot for me in my class? It always fills up so fast! - Worried in Walnut Creek
D: Dear Worried,Unfortunately, there isn't a way to hold a spot in a class. Here are a couple of ideas to help you get registered in popular classes when you are out of town:
1. Set your alarm for 8am (California time!) on March 11th and go to mdae.mdusd.org and register.
2. If you won't have access to the internet: Ask a family member to register for you! One woman decided to give her daughter her login info for her MDAE student account so that she could go in on March 11th and register her mom.
Q: Since MDAE is part of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, why aren't Lifelong Ed classes free of charge? - Penny Pinching in Pleasant Hill
A: Dear Penny,
Lifelong Ed lost all government funding back in the financial crisis of 2008. While the other MDAE programs continue to receive funding, Lifelong Ed relies solely on class fees to cover expenses. Most Adult Ed programs across the state have been cut back to the bare minimum, but MDAE decided that these amazing classes are a huge benefit to the community, so worked to keep them open. Classes currently cost an average of $7.25 per hour, and we've tried to keep prices low. It is very rare to have an Adult Ed program with such a variety of classes and facilities, and we are so grateful for each and every one of you who supports our program.
Woodturning - 201- Basic Bowl Turning
The next step in woodturning - Learn new tools and techniques used to turn wooden bowls. Includes information of design and techniques for mounting and turning. Prerequisite: Woodturning – 101 at PHEC
Mondays-Wednesdays, Mar 9-25, 1:00-4:00 PM
Instructor: Larry Batti
$184 • Register
Woodworking - Sharpening Woodworking Planes and Chisels
Learn to bring your dull plane blades and chisels to life in two sessions! Through demonstration and hands-on practice, you will flatten, sharpen, and polish your tools using the "Scary sharp" system. No prerequisites.
Wednesdays, Mar 18-25, 1:00-4:00 PM
Instructor: Gregg Langlois
$60 • Register
March 8 – Daylight Saving Time begins; International Women's Day
March 11 - Registration for Spring term opens: 8 am online, 10 am in LE office
March 14 – Pi Day
March 17 – St. Patrick's Day
March 20 –Eid al-Fitr, March Equinox
March 27 - Last day of Winter term
Do you have a skill that you'd like to share with others? You could be a perfect candidate to join our staff as an instructor. We are currently seeking cooking, fitness, gardening and keyboarding teachers.
If you're interested in finding out more, contact Jan Schmitz at schmitzj@mdusd.org or (925) 937-1530. Or register for a session that Jan will host on Wednesday , March 25 from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Eileen Ladarre teaching Tai Chi Forms.
Registering on our website is as easy as 1-2-3!
From our website...
1. Click on the Programs button then click Lifelong Education.
2. Click a Quick Links class category.
3. Click the blue Register Now box for the class you're interested in.
If you are a returning student, enter your email and password and click log in.
If you are a new student, click Create an Account.
Word of mouth is the best advertising - let your friends know about our array of classes via your social media account. Thanks!
Just click the image below to view our Winter catalog.
