Educators and psychologists know that learning is significantly affected by factors such as stress, anxiety, self-image, cultural expectations and societal expectations. The increasing number of students diverse backgrounds in today’s classrooms introduces a tremendous diversity of lived experience which influences how students learn. 

In today’s public schools, the majority of teachers, 80% are white, and the majority of learners are students of color. This fact alone suggests a strong potential for a cultural and communication gap between teachers and their students. Research findings confirm that black students face significant challenges to their learning as a result of unconscious bias and lack of cultural awareness on the part of teachers. It is well documented that black students, particularly boys, are more likely to be on the receiving end of disciplinary action, more likely to be suspended from school, and are at greater risk of failing than are other students. It is also well documented that black children are perceived to be older than white children of the same age and are more likely, as a result, to have expectations for behavior that are developmentally inappropriate. These factors, along with micro-aggressions that are common, and sometimes racially motivated aggression by peers render the learning environment for black students fraught with challenges that may be unseen or unrecognized by educators.

In this course, we will examine the factors that come together to create unique challenges to black students in the classroom and explore ways in which teachers can minimize those challenges and support school success for all students.

CEUs/ILUs: 1.6

Length (in hours): 16

Curling is sometimes referred to as chess on ice, where players use skill and strategy to slide polished granite stones to a target 150 feet away, and using curling brooms to influence the path of the stones. Learn to curl in one two hour session at the Belfast Curling Club and have fun playing this Winter Olympic sport. Wear loose comfortable clothing, dress in layers (you're on ice) and bring a separate pair of clean soled sneakers. Register with Belfast Curling Club only. Click on learntocurl@belfastcurlingclub.org or call Steve McLaughlin at 207-685-9540. Provide your name, email address, phone number and desired session date and time. Registration fee of $40 must be prepaid to reserve a slot. A check, made out to “Belfast Curling Club” must be sent to Steve McLaughlin, 32 Lovejoy Pond Road, Wayne ME, 04284. All Learn to Curl participants who join the club right after the Learn to Curl session will have $40 deducted from their membership dues! The following sessions are available: Saturday, 10/21/23, Sunday, 10/22/23 Saturday, 1/6/24, Sunday, 1/7/24. Each date has two session choices: 10:30 am-12:30 pm or 1:00-3:00 pm.

Customer service is now essential for businesses and all work organizations.  With the increase of technology, human interaction with customers becomes all the more important.  Whether it relates to retaining customers, serving your audience, or turning inquiries from potential customers into sales, good customer service is now one of the central factors in organizational success.  Learn to improve your customer service skills to enhance your career skill set, improve productivity, and increase your organization’s success. You will also take away some extraordinary customer service techniques you won’t find anywhere else. 

CEUs/ILUs: 3.2

Length (in hours): 32

Price in USD $245

Offered 4 times/year, call for dates.

Data Analysis is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after skills in the workplace.  Companies have vast amounts of data, but it is rare to have someone with the ability to analyze that data to see trends and make predictions. Add a whole new skill set to your portfolio, and make a big difference in the success of your organization by acquiring data analysis skills. 

Begin with getting a basic understanding of how to analyze data in a business setting. Then learn how many of your business decisions involve comparing groups for differences. You will know the statistics behind these group differences and relationships. Finally, you will find out how to perform inquiries that will be useful to your business or organization and have the skill necessary to communicate these results through graphs and text that your fellow employees will understand. Whether your business is home-based or a large company, this certificate will take you to the next level where important decision-making is concerned.

Students need to have Microsoft Excel to complete this certificate. 

This Certificate must be taken in the following order:

• Introduction
• Intermediate
• Advanced  

CEUs/ILUs: 4.8

Length (in hours): 48

Offered 4 times/year, call for dates.

Join Kelly Rose, DMD for a 10-week certificate program in Dental Assisting for one of the most high-demand careers.  This program is designed to teach all aspects of dental assisting and provide you the skills you need to work in this field and pass the RHS certificate exam needed for employment. This program is taught by a Dentist and includes an opportunity for internships. The price of the course Upon passing the DANB RHS®, you will receive a certificate of knowledge-based competency for that component from DANB. Payment plans are available.  The course includes all books, exam preparation materials, and fees for the DANB RHS® certificate program.

Call our Adult Education office for more information.

Come get a fundamental yet advanced introduction to eMarketing, including improving email promotions, analyzing your website traffic, doing search engine optimization, and how to successfully employ online advertising.

Relevant for any type of organization, including businesses, companies, non-profits, and government agencies.  No eMarketing experience or expertise is necessary.  If you are already at an advanced level, your instructors are experts and can provide the latest most advanced information and answer your toughest questions. 

CEUs/ILUs: 4.8

Length (in hours): 48

Offered 4 times/year, call for dates.

Everyone has a story to tell. Writing your memoir helps you reflect on the varied experiences that impacted your life and helped shape who you are today. This course looks at a variety of digital tools, available through any digital device, that make the process of memoir writing more fun and a little less daunting. You will explore several unique approaches to research, learn strategies for gathering and storing materials in one easily accessible place, and delve into ways to illustrate your memoir even if you are not an artist. Polishing your work for publication and presenting it in a public format are other video topics. You will leave the course well equipped to begin your writing adventure.