Newsletters 2017-18 Focus newsletter, [2] Fall | Page 6

COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Discover Community
Education!
We value the opportunity to bring quality
educational programs to our community
members, and there is something for
everyone. Classes and activities are offered
year-round. Register today!
Adult Learning
No matter what your interest or
skill level, Community Education
offers hundreds of classes year-
round for adults ages 18 and up.
Classes focus on technology,
money, creativity, hobbies,
home improvement, parenting,
health, fitness and more! Call
763-506-5766 with questions.
Adults with Disabilities
Specialized classes offer educa-
tional, recreational and social
activities for adults with
developmental disabilities that
practice life skills to increase
independence, communication,
and c ommunity integration. Call
763-506-1290 with questions.
Youth Enrichment
The Community Schools pro-
gram coordinates a wide variety
of fun classes and activities to
enhance your child’s academic
and social experiences after-
school, in the evening and on
the weekend. Opportunities for students in
preschool through grade eight include arts and
crafts; science, technology, engineering and
math (STEM) classes; language and performing
arts; sports and recreation; and swimming.
Call 763-506-1260 with questions.
Early Childhood
Education
Educational and enrichment
classes are available for families
with young children ages birth
to kindergarten. Classes are
offered for parents to attend with children or for
preschoolers to learn and practice independ-
ence. Call 763-506-1275 with questions about
Early Childhood Family Education and Preschool.
Get more news and information
about lifelong learning opportunities,
or check-in, tag and share your
photos and memories of Community
Education programs with us – and
your family, friends and followers!
www.discovercommunityed.com
www.facebook.com/
DiscoverCommunityEd
@AHCommunityEd
@AHCommunityEd
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education also
offers adult basic education, adult/youth athletic
leagues and recreational opportunities, aquatic
fitness, parent involvement, school-age child
care and swimming lessons for community
members. ■
PAGE 6
Metro North Adult Basic Education
(ABE) earns $100K grant to support
English Learners
Metro North Adult Basic Education (ABE) –
Columbia Heights/Fridley – was recently selected as a
recipient of an Integrated English Literacy and Civics
grant from the Minnesota Department of Education, in
the amount of $100K for 2017-18 with the possibility
of renewal for 2018-19.
Metro North ABE currently offers an English as a
Second Language (ESL) program for adults in six lev-
els, at the Adult Education Center located in Columbia
Heights/Fridley. Thanks to the grant, Metro North ABE
added a level of ESL programming for adults at the
Columbia Heights/Fridley location this fall.
“The new grant will equip us with the tools and
resources to not only improve and increase each learn-
er’s reading and English skills, but also include civics
instruction focused on rights and responsibilities as a
United States citizen; build soft workplace skills; devel-
op digital literacy and leadership skills; and learn
about small business development,” said Kathleen
Moriarty, supervisor at the Adult Education Center -
Columbia Heights/Fridley. “Learners will find these
skills useful whether they want to pursue being a
valuable employee or opening their own small
business as an entrepreneur.”
In order to meet requirements of the grant, the
Metro North ABE class must include integrated educa-
tion and training, along with English literacy and civics
instruction. “The ESL learners that we serve at this site
location are often not at a high enough English read-
ing level to access current career pathway offerings,
but many of these learners have a diploma or college
degree from their home country,” Moriarty explained.
“Many of these talented, creative learners have an
interest in small business development, and entrepre-
neurial skill development will be the focus for the
integrated education and training component of the
grant.”
Moriarty had surveyed current students last spring
to learn what skills would be most valuable for future
students.
Survey results found that 71 percent of learners
surveyed were interested in receiving training on how
to start a small business. The types of businesses that
learners were interested in starting included restau-
rants, bakeries, auto sales, jewelry making, translation
companies, carpentry, laundromats, day care centers,
clothing shops, bookstores, coffee shops, and markets
– among others.
A grant from the Minnesota Department of Education will
provide new opportunities to develop entrepreneurial and
leadership opportunities for adult ESL students.
“For the students who are serious about wanting to
start their own business, we will now be able to offer
this ‘bridge’ training program, which will link our
students up with community business partners and
organizations to access the additional training and
mentorship opportunities that would be useful for
them to be successful in the workforce,” Moriarty said.
Metro North ABE launched the new program in
September. For more information about this class
offering, or taking free classes toward earning your
diploma or GED please call: 763-706-3833. ■
Licensed, professional teachers, and volunteers are trained to work
with adult learners to build on their existing skills and to achieve
their own personal goals. Metro North ABE volunteer, Jill Schmidt,
supports ABE student, Lenda George, with an assignment at the
Blaine Learning Lab - another Metro North ABE location.
Free classes for adults!
Metro North ABE provides free basic education
classes for adults to develop reading, writing,
math and English language skills to thrive in their
community and the workforce. Learn how to get
started: metronorthabe.org
ECFE teacher Risa Lieser named
WCCO Excellent Educator
Lieser is an Early Childhood
Family Education (ECFE)
teacher at Coon Rapids
Family Place.
WCCO reporter, Kim Johnson, surprised Risa
Lieser with the weely “Excellent Educator”
award from the television station Thurs., Sept.
28 during “circle time” in the ECFE class that
meets Thursday mornings at the Coon Rapids
Family Place.
“What an honor to receive this award, I am so
thankful to be a part of ECFE with the amazing
staff and wonderful families that we serve,”
Lieser said. “I keep a quote on my desk that
sums up how I feel about my role in ECFE, ‘To
love what you do and feel that it matters - how
could anything be more fun?’” ■
WCCO-TV reporter Kim Johnson surprised ECFE teacher, Risa
Lieser, with an "Excellent Educator" award in her classroom at
Coon Rapids Family Place on Sept. 28.