Pluck up the courage to teach

It’s that time of year again: Oregon Coast Community College is calling for Community Ed class proposals for the upcoming fall term. The twist? This year they're asking for proposals

from you. Yes, you!

The college is inviting community members to turn their hobbies, skills and passions into classes by submitting proposals for the college's fall Community Education program.

To help prospective instructors learn more about the process, the college will host a free barbecue and Community Education information session on Thursday, July 9.

Teaching experience is not required. Instead, the college is looking for people willing to share their knowledge, whether it comes from a lifelong hobby, professional experience or a personal passion.

The college handles much of the administrative work associated with community education courses, including advertising through its quarterly Catch the Wave publication, managing registration and communicating with students. Instructors can choose the format that best fits their subject, from one-day workshops to multi-week courses held at any of the college's campuses or at off-site locations.

Recent offerings have included topics ranging from boat building and mushroom foraging to gyotaku fish printing and sea shanties.

"Teaching and taking courses at Oregon Coast Community College has been one of the highlights of living on the Oregon Coast," said returning instructor Barbara Bush. "The veritable wealth of classes offered, from birding classes to lotions and potions to gyotaku to chocolate deliciousness and so many more that I have taken, have improved and brightened my little world."

The July 9 information session runs from 4 to 6 pm at the college’s Lincoln City campus, located at 3788 SE High School Drive. Class proposals are due by 5 pm on Wednesday, July 15. For more information, go to oregoncoastcc.org.