Community Education Programs

Car Care Clinic

The more you know about your car, the better you can care for, and drive it. Understanding the details and parts not only will help you keep it running longer, but it will also make dealing with mechanics and service departments easier! Join us in learning the skills of preventive maintenance for your automobile! The class will include:

Introduction to the Computer and the Internet

This beginner course provides a basic introduction to Computer and the Internet including:

• Basic elements of Windows, the PC operating system
• Common menus, toolbars, and shortcuts
• File management
• Saving files in folders
• Printing
• Copying data from one program to another
• Getting online by typing in Web addresses
• Understanding basic terminology and toolbar buttons of the Internet Explorer program
• Using search engines to find information and Websites
• Sending and receiving photos using web email

Microsoft Office System 2007

This is an introduction class on Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook and exploring the Internet. This course provides concise applications on editing and proofreading document, changing the look of text, setting up a workbook, working with data and data tables, creating a database, creating a new presentation, adjusting slide layout and order, sending email messages, managing your inbox and calendar.

Microsoft Office Excel 2007

This is an introduction to spreadsheet management using Microsoft Excel. This course provides instruction in creating and modifying a workbook, find and replacing data in a workbook, organizing data within a workbook, creating formulas to calculate values, find and correct errors in calculations, format a cell and adding images to a workbook.

Microsoft Office Powerpoint 2007

This introduction class will provide instruction on creating professional presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint. This course provides instruction on creating and modifying a presentation, using ready-made designs in PowerPoint, converting an outline to a presentation, enter and edit text, change the layout of slides, apply a theme to a presentation, switching to different color schemes, and insert and format a table in a presentation.

Microsoft Office Word 2007

This introduction class will provide instruction on creating professional-looking documents, applying styles and themes, format text and paragraphs, create and modify lists, change the background of documents, add headers and footers, and change the theme of documents. This course will also cover columns and tables, and inserting and modifying pictures.

Ballroom Dancing

This is a beginning level Ballroom Dance class targeted for those who want to improve their skills. Whether you have never danced before or have been dancing for years, if your goal is to improve your skills, then this course is for you. The course instructor emphasizes proper technique and the understanding/development of the fundamentals of ballroom dancing. See session times for specific dances to be taught . This course is a social ballroom dancing course and will be structured to teach you to dance in a social setting with diverse partners. You are not required to bring a partner, but the class works best with an even mix of males and females. This is ballroom dancing at its best!

About the Instructor - Lori Hewlett will be the primary instructor for the course. Lori is a graduate of Calhoun Community College and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ballroom Dance from Brigham Young University (BYU) where she was a member of the BYU dance team and participated in numerous showcases and competitions and received coaching from various international ballroom champions. Lori has been teaching dance for four years and has her own business providing ballroom dance instruction.

Note: Footwear Suggestions - Athletic shoes and other high traction rubber soled shoes are not recommended as they will impede proper foot action. Leather soled shoes (men’s dress shoes) or composite soles with a similar feel to leather (many women’s shoes) are usually quite adequate. Open toed shoes are not recommended for a beginning class and strapless open back shoes are not recommended as the shoe needs to cling securely to the heel of the foot.

Caricature

Every artist has had hidden desires to produce those funny, snide, wicked little creations called caricatures. This class explores the process of face construction, seeking out little (and big) aspects of faces that make them unique and then putting it all together to create an explosion of fun that will have your friends and family running for cover when they see you pick up a pencil. This class is guaranteed to loosen up the most inhibited of artists, beginner or professional.

Materials - each student will need:

Basics of Selling on eBay

With the Basics of Selling on eBay, you'll learn to:

Basics of Buying on eBay

Have a professional teach you the right way to buy on eBay. Training delivered by an Education Specialist who uses the most up-to-date training – the same ones used by eBay University. The training will teach you the following:

How to Sell on eBay the Right Way

Have a professional teach you the right way to sell on eBay. Training delivered by an Education Specialist who uses the most up-to-date training and student materials – the same ones used by eBay University, so you know you’re learning to make the most of eBay to increase your revenue. The training will teach you how to:

Computer Keyboarding (Online Course)

Using the computer software program FasType for Windows, you will learn the basic skills of touch-typing. If you already know how to type, this course will help you improve your typing speed and accuracy. When you are finished with the course, continue to use FasType for Windows to improve your keyboarding skills with its intermediate and advanced lessons.

Effective Business Writing (Online Course)

Do you have a nagging suspicion that a small improvement in your writing skills might also improve your career prospects? Don't let small gaps in your business writing skills prevent you from reaching your full potential! It doesn't matter whether you're a clerical worker, an engineer, or an executive. If you communicate with others in writing, you need this course to help you identify and eliminate problem areas. By the end of this course, you'll know the secret to developing powerful written documents that immediately draw readers in and keep them motivated to continue until your very last, well-chosen word.

Get Grants! (Online Course)

Learn how to develop successful, fundable grants from experts whose proposals have garnered millions in funded projects.

This course focuses on the skills you'll need to prepare professional, competitive and compelling grant proposals. You'll be guided step-by-step through the entire process of developing and writing a grant proposal. In just six short weeks, you'll be prepared to convert an idea into a complete, well-developed package.

More than a simple how-to, Get Grants! teaches you how to recognize what makes a project attractive to a funding agency and how to create a compelling case. Whether you are thinking of proposal writing as a career option or are looking to help your organization generate additional external funding, this course will show you how to produce more competitive proposals and be more successful in getting grant awards.

This course will be helpful for anyone who has an interest in learning how to get grant funding, including development professionals, educators, and staff or volunteers at non-profit organizations. The instructors of this course bring more than 20 years of experience and know-how to help you Get Grants!

12 Steps to a Successful Job Search (Online Course)

Get the job you want quickly and easily and in any economy. In this course, a world-renowned author and career advisor will help you identify the job that is best for your needs. You'll then be given complete step-by-step instructions on how to get that job, regardless of your level of expertise or state of the economy. You will learn how to build rapport with any interviewer, both verbally and non-verbally, while mastering the six phases of a successful job interview. This motivational course will increase your confidence, help you feel great about yourself, and provide you with the foundation you need to get the job you want.

Also see other Industrial Maintenance courses.

Electricity for the Homeowner

Tired of being “in the dark” about electricity? Then get ENLIGHTENED!

Electricity is an important source of energy that affects many aspects of your life. Without electricity, many devices that have transformed daily life over the course of this century would not be possible. This class will provide you with instruction in basic household electricity.

Beginner Basics

Elbows Off the Table! Manners for Adults

Need "brushing up" on your social graces? It is never too late to learn Manners for social occasions or a business meeting. Take an hour and a half of your time and learn about the History of Etiquette, Introductions, Handshake, Phone and Cell Phone Etiquette, Table Manners including the proper use of the knife, fork and place setting etiquette, and much more!  A handout is provided for you to share your knowledge with others in your family or workplace!  You will be glad you came!

Manners are Magic! For Children

Need a little brushing up on your manners? Want your child to learn how to behave properly in social situations? Then this course is for you! Children ages 8 and up will learn about the History of Etiquette, First Impressions, Handshakes, Introductions, Boy/Girl Etiquette, Telephone Manners and much more! Each child will be given a place setting and taught the correct way to cut with a knife and fork. A snack will be served so each child can practice with a “hostess” at a “party”. This is a fun way to learn and practice good manners! The class is taught by Robin Jennings, a former elementary school teacher. She created the lesson plan and designed a handout that will be given out at the conclusion of the class.

Adobe Photoshop for Digital Photographers

Digital cameras have transformed the way we shoot and process our family photos. To take full advantage of the power that digital imaging presents, the photographer must utilize a digital imaging software program to enhance and print his or her photos. While there are many on the market, Adobe Photoshop is the program of choice by the vast majority of both novice and professional photographers. However, the complexity of the program makes it imperative to receive one-on-one training, avoiding the strong learning curve.

This Introduction to Photoshop for Digital Photographers class will cover the basics of the program to bring you up-to-speed on the features needed to make the most of your digital images. Topics will include an overview of various tools, photo enhancement, layers, selection tools, actions and printing. This class is designed to prepare you to take advantage of this ever changing technology.

About the Instructor - Dona Bonnett is the owner of A Digital Reflection, Photography & Videography.  Her studio is in Hartselle and she been in business for 5 years, specializing in weddings and portrait work.

Digital Photography

This Introduction to Digital Photography class is taught from the beginner’s point of view. Topics include basic operation of a digital camera, capturing the image, importing images into the computer, editing the image, sharing the image, and organizing and storing images. Basic photography principles and techniques, as well as navigation on the computer will be covered.

About the Instructor:  Dona Bonnett is the owner of A Digital Reflection, Photography & Videography.  Her studio is in Hartselle and she been in business for 5 years, specializing in weddings and portrait work.  She enjoys teaching others photography & how to use their digital cameras.

Bring your own digital camera and instruction book.

Digital Scrapbooking

Do you love scrapbooking with your favorite photos?  If so, you will want to take this class!  Learn to design & create exciting digital scrapbook pages with your digital photographs utilizing Adobe Photoshop CS3. 

Class requirements: Basic Adobe Photoshop skill level (If you are new to using Adobe Photoshop, please register for the Adobe Photoshop CS3 class).  Bring your creativity and 20-25 digital images.

About the Instructor - Dona Bonnett is the owner of A Digital Reflection Photography & Videography.  Her studio is in Hartselle and she been in business for 5  years, specializing in weddings and portrait work.

Point and Shoot Digital Photography

This basic introduction to digital photography class is taught from the beginner's point of view with a point and shoot camera. Topics include some basic photography principles as well as the basic operation of a digital camera, capturing the image, importing images into the computer, editing the image, sharing the image, and organizing and storing images.

About the Instructor - Dona Bonnett is the owner of A Digital Reflection, Photography & Videography.  Her studio is in Hartselle and she been in business for 5 years, specializing in weddings and portrait work.

Beginning Sign Language

Welcome to learning the most beautiful language in the world. In this fun 6 week course you will learn beginning American Sign Language vocabulary and Pidgin Signed English sentence structure for basic communication with the deaf and hearing impaired. Worksheets provided by instructor. Sign Language Dictionary recommended but not needed.

About the Instructor: Jeanie Parker was a student at Calhoun Community College and a Graduate from the University of Montevallo where she received a BS in Education of the Hearing Impaired. She has been teaching Deaf Education and sign language classes for 15 years in the state of Alabama and Tennessee.

Auto and Marine Upholstery

The auto and marine upholstery program will cover the beginning stages of teaching the participant how to:

• disassemble auto, truck or boat seats
• layout of the pattern
• marking out the pattern
• reassembly of the seat

This will include the inspection of the complete framework of the auto or truck seats, and the wood or metal frames of any boat seat being rebuilt. In most cases, boat seat frames will have to be rebuilt due to water damage and age. This will require us to show the layout and re-cutting of new framework. After all frameworks are complete, we will begin laying out new patterns and sewing up the new covers for either the car or boat interior. After all covers are reupholstered, we will begin re-installing them on the original or reconstructed frames to restore all work to brand new condition. Upon completion of these steps, the student should have the ability to recover and construct their own auto and boat interiors. We will start with a few projects at a time so everyone can get involved in complete instruction and participation, as to not overwhelm everyone with too many projects at once. As we finish one project, another will be brought in.