Home » Question of the Week » What classes would you like taught through Lake Tahoe Community College’s Community Education program?
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Short term classes (3 days or less)would be great. Many people can’t spend a whole quarter on a single subject. I used to take a lot of .25 unit classes when they were offered.
The arts: Silk Painting, watercoloring, quilting.
History: Early Tahoe residents, local geology and landmarks.
Leadership: Customer service skills, how to handle the tourist, how to lectures.
How to change your oil. Where to find birds and wildflowers. How to create a scrapbook page.
Also, my mom taught a quarter long class for 20 years where the average age of her students was 70! They had a different subject each time, from trains to wine tasting. They read, had guest speakers, had field trips, all aimed at the senior citizen and the response was excellent!
I would like to see classes that parents and children could take together on the weekends. College of Marin used to have classes that were, at the time, $25. (per family) They had classes in star watching, day birding & night birding, tide pools & creeks, geology, native plants, etc. We met at the college to organize.
Everyone took their own cars, or carpooled (if needed), packed their own lunches & water, and we all trekked off to learn from a docent who was a student or instructor from the college. Those classes were packed and the families we met were so much fun. It was a great way to learn and a great introduction to “nature” and a college situation for the kids. These were unforgettable experiences at an affordable price. We have so many locals (and visitors) who might like to do something educational and fun with their families.
I also think “Fast track” classes on the weekends for business. This would be for people who need to brush up quickly on the latest “Word” or Accounting programs, etc., Maybe you already offer this. Butte College had a great program for this.
Short-term classes from 2 days to one week would be a practical format. Various subjects from wildflower and birding trips to music theory and how to draw would be popular.
LAKE TAHOE Historical Society has several wonderful docents and members of the board of directors who are capable of leading short classes on many of the lake’s historical subjects. Call or visit the museum at 3058 Hwy 50, 541-5458 to connect.
You’ve received some great suggestions. Perhaps some of the locally oriented classes which had to be canceled during hard times could be reinstated as part of the new program. I know how much my husband and I enjoyed the classes on local history and local birds.
I also agree that short-term classes would be great. As retired permanent residents, we also travel. Working in a quarter-long class requires some serious planning, no matter how appealing the class. In addition to the suggestions readers have listed, you (the college) might want to take a look at the offerings of The Learning Exchange in Sacramento, a private organization which sponsors hundreds of classes. http://www.learningexchange.com/
Some wonderful suggestions.
How about a short class on investment terminology.
The opera class is missed by many.
The culinary tastings classes are superb.
Revive the short gardening, landscaping classes.
Bravo for the class connected to the Shakespeare plays at Sand Harbor.
More fitness classes applicable to seniors.
Expand the fire acadamy to include a paramedic schooling. This will keep these students here that go through the first fire acadamy. This will also give us a pool of local students to pull from for hire at local agencies all around the basin and into Nevada. Could help boost the local economy and help with the volunteerism within the community helping our fire department situation.
Fireman’s idea is excellent. Can’t get a job as a city or county fireman without being a full paramedic anymore. Used to be emt was enough, but not now.
All of the outdoor classes have been great. There have been hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, walking, disc golf, wildflower walks, birding and more.
They are always well attended, everyone learns a lot & and they are so much safer than heading off on one’s own. These are truly “community” classes that bring us together.
Just a short note to Fireman and Dogwoman:
We conducted a full feasibility study to see if we could offer Paramedic training at LTCC. Alas — we are too small to pull off the expense that goes behind offering such a program and there are not enough clinical placements for the students on the hill.
We are proud to be the smallest college in the state that offers a Regionally Accredited Training Program through the State Fire Marshal’s Office and this is largely due to our incredibly talented and committed Fire Academy staff.
Although we are too small to offer a Paramedic program, Dr. Beachy Orr did recently partner with EMT instructor Tony Gasporra to create an “Anatomy & Physiology for EMTs and Paramedics” course that serves as the prerequisite class for Paramedic school.
We are always looking for ways to help our students have access to affordable education right here on the hill, so please feel free to keep your suggestions coming.
Virginia Boyar
Director of Career & Technical Education
boyar@ltcc.edu
Virginia, thanks for taking the time to respond to that issue. As with the A&P class, anything that the college can do to help students prepare for EMT programs is appreciated. As a whole your entire college has done a great job in the 10 years I’ve lived here. Especially considering the limited resources available.
I have taken a variety of the Community Education classes, from Time Management to Weightlifting, and cannot expresses how great the instructors & curriculum have been. Just wanted to give you an ‘attaboy’. Thank you for your time & effort.
Thanks so much for the nice comment, thimesnv. :)