'A chance for us to give something back'

Schools offer variety of classes for adults

Twice a week, Jeff Steiner logs an extra three hours in the wood shop at Flathead High School.

Sometimes, after a long day of teaching, he doesn't want to return to school. But as soon as he is back in the shop, his spirits lift. In these classes, his students are adults, not teenagers, and they all have one thing in common: They are there because they want to learn woodworking skills.

"They all want to be there. They all want to learn," Steiner said. "The joy of teaching is there because they want to learn."

Steiner has taught beginning and advanced woodworking classes as part of Flathead's adult education program for the last six years. That's about when Assistant Principal Mike Lincoln began overseeing the program, but Lincoln says Flathead has offered adult education for longer than that.

The school is not alone in offering courses for adult community members. Evergreen Junior High School is the latest public school to provide adult education.

Instituting classes for adults has been a district goal for a long time, junior high Principal Kim Anderson said.

"We believe learning is lifelong," she said. "We stress that message to students and parents. We need to walk the line we talk."

To that end, Evergreen is offering five classes and a GED program. Most classes meet weekly for about a month beginning in February.

Classes range from Windows Movie Maker, which will teach participants how to turn digital photos and music into professional-quality DVDs, to an adult fitness club, to classes in quilting, fly fishing and financial planning.

Instructors from Flathead Valley Community College will teach the GED program, Anderson said. The district's hope is that if the classes go well, and if enough people sign up for them, the community college will take over Evergreen's GED program entirely, she added.

Right now, the district pays to put on the program. Elementary and high school districts may levy one permissive (non-voted) mill against property values in their districts to fund adult education. In Evergreen, this gives the district $5,000.

The money allows the district to pay adult education instructors, Anderson said. It also means Evergreen can offer its adult classes completely free. Everything, from fabric and thread for the quilting class, to water and sports drinks in the fitness club, will be provided for the participants.

"They just basically need to show up," she said.

Other districts charge for adult education classes. This winter, Columbia Falls High School is offering beginning and intermediate tai chi classes for $35. The district's metals class costs $60, which includes materials.

In the Whitefish School District, the cost varies by class type and duration. Beginner classes usually last about eight hours total, program coordinator Chris Deister said, and cost about $20. Classes that last longer and require more materials cost a little more.

"It's still fairly inexpensive," he said. "We do that just as a nominal fee."

Flathead's registration fee is $10 and may not cover the materials needed for the class, adult education coordinator Debbie Newman said. Steiner charges his students an additional $10 to cover the glue, screws and other items they use or break. Students also have to buy wood for projects, but Steiner has plenty available for a reasonable price.

"As far as cost, it's very minimal," he said.

The classes aren't intended as money-makers, but as a way to thank the community and encourage people to get into the buildings their taxes help pay for.

"The community always is supportive of what we do, as far as teaching the kids. It's a chance for us to give something back to the adults in the community," Deister said. "It's also a chance for them to come in and see our facilities, use our computers and see kind of what their tax dollars are paying for."

Anderson agreed.

"Our community pays for our buildings," she said. "They should be able to use them."

The classes are good outlets at this time of year, when cabin fever may be setting in, she said. Regardless of the district, the adult education classes are intended to be fun and welcoming.

"We try to make it learner-friendly so folks without a lot of computer experience - or whatever [the class' might be - can come and feel comfortable," Deister said.

Many of Steiner's students are so comfortable that they come back every year. He loves seeing the familiar faces and working with new, grown-up students.

"I'd have all these people mad at me if I decided to stop," he said. "I'm not sure whether they learn more or I learn more."

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com