Could You Teach A Community Education Class?

They arrive in your mailbox every few months, and chances are that you don't give them a second glance. Announcements, schedules, and catalogs of continuing education programs are common since nearly every high school, college, senior center, and library offers them year round. However, if you are looking for a way to supplement your income, don't ignore these potential markets!

Continuing education programs offer a wide array of classes for adults and children. Peruse a few of those catalogs in your mailbox, and you'll see course offerings that range from hobby instruction to professional development in many fields. Some classes carry college credit, others earn "Continuing Education Units" (CEU's), and a few are purely for personal satisfaction. What they all have in common is a need for teachers who can design and implement their own curriculum.

Classes can be built around nearly any area. Are you a gardener? Try pitching a class about your specialty. Do you love to cook? Maybe a class about international dishes will be popular. Entrepreneurs can share experience and suggestions for opening a small business. Photographers may want to teach about close-up technique or photo composition. Writers can turn nearly any article into a class topic.

Continuing Education teachers need not be certified in teaching. Qualifications such as job experience, a passionate interest, or experience at a hobby are often enough to convince program organizers that you can create a worthwhile class. Published writing about the topic is a plus.

Teaching for continuing education programs often begins with a class proposal. Check those catalogs, and you will generally find contact information for the program's organizer. This is the person to talk with. Present your ideas in a quick phone conversation, and chances are very good that at least one will be accepted.