It’s never too late to learn or to share what you know.
That’s the philosophy behind the Coupeville Community Education program. The school district offers classes for youth and adults three times a year, and the winter session is starting up in January.
“Our goal is to try to find something for everyone,” said CCE coordinator Kim Andrews. “The community brings us lots of ideas.”
Of course, to offer a class there needs to be an instructor.
Andrews said they would love to build up the number of instructors available to offer a class and is always looking for new ideas and new courses to offer.
“The program is really great,” she said. “People come in and get to teach what they love, what they know.”
CCE classes run the gamut. There are usually several different fitness classes to choose from, but there are a variety of others.
For example, the upcoming winter session will offer a class on the history of Ebey’s Landing, a beginning drawing class, a guide to creative photography and a marketing class.
“Fitness is always very popular,” Andrews said. The winter session will offer Zumba, Razzle Dance Fitness, Yolates and Our Yoga. Adult volleyball classes are offered through South Whidbey Parks and Recreation as is a ski and snowboard bus for youth and adults.
Youth classes include first aid and CPR, drawing, babysitting and the Leo Club, which meets at Coupeville High School and is supervised by the Coupeville Lions Club.
“The babysitting and CPR classes are very popular,” Andrews said.
Registration is easy. The form is available online at coupeville.k12.wa.us and can be mailed to Coupeville Community Education-Coupeville School District, 2 South Main St., Coupeville, WA, 98239.
Forms must be received one week before the start of a class to ensure there are enough participants.
The cost of each class varies.
Andrews said she would love to offer an introductory language class for travel purposes, for example, as well as classes in cooking, bird watching, technology, art, health or genealogy.
Anyone who thinks they may be able to teach a series of classes on a particular subject is welcome to contact Andrews.
She said she would work with potential instructors to structure a class and offer recommendations. One does not need to live within the Coupeville School District to teach or take a CCE class. Some online training is required of instructors.
“Anyone interested in teaching an adult class can fill out a proposal and share their idea, and I’ll help build them a class.”
Instructors typically receive a portion of the class fee, although each class is unique. Andrews encourages people to keep the classes affordable.
“It’s a challenge to find interesting classes that people want to sign up for,” she said. “But I know there’s a lot of talent in the community.
“I encourage people to try something new,” Andrews continued. “Support these instructors who are going to the trouble to share their time and talent. If you see something that looks interesting, sign up — it might not happen again.”
