What does a retired teacher do when she no longer teaches?
Learn, says Carol McMahon.
I always love to ask people why they sign up for any lifelong learning classes. Everyone is so busy, I wonder what motivates them to choose a class, register and pay for it, then carve out time to show up for each meeting. I’ve asked people from all backgrounds and of all ages, including a few folks in their 90s. The answers are always revealing.
In McMahon’s case, she retired to the hill country three years ago, after teaching public school for 25 years. She immediately got involved in tutoring college students and, in her spare time, taking Club Ed classes.
“These classes are wonderful - a godsend for people who want to get back up to speed on computer, or learn art or dance,” she said. “It is fantastic you have this program here.”
In a short time, McMahon has enrolled in a smorgasbord of courses. They include Cultures of the Hill Country, dance lessons, art lessons, watercolor, and several trips. She couldn’t name her favorite.
“They were all really, really good,” she said. She especially enjoyed the local history class, and started doing her own research into the area. “There are a lot of small towns, and people don’t know about them. It’s nice to know about where you are.”
McMahon is already planning her next session of classes. She has her eye on geology, Google Docs, and Yoga. How, I wondered, does she decide which ones to take?
“Everything I am interested in,” she replied. “I never had time during my working life to get into things I wanted to do. So it is a real pleasure for me to have time to do this.”
McMahon is especially enjoying her art classes. She finally has time to study this love, and often travels to her place in Port Aransas just to paint.
Her next frontier lies in taking more computer classes.
“I work on the computer all the time. You have to update your skills as software is always changing. I especially need work on digital photography. You have to use it or lose it!”
Losing it does not see to be an option for this lifelong learner. She tells all her friends - even the out-of-town ones - about Club Ed and encourages everyone to take a class.
“I do believe in education. These classes are wonderful, especially for seniors. Anyone can afford $20 for a yoga class. What a great addition it is to the community.”
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For information or to sign up, click www.clubed.net, or call 830-895-4386.
Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 400 classes throughout the Texas Hill Country, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com, or follow us on Twitter @clubedtx.
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