What do a welder, and artist, a retail worker, and a special education teacher have in common? It turns out that the pleasure of engaging with mature learners connects those who offer Adult Ed courses at MCST.
Micah Morin is a welder at SteelPro who shares his professional knowledge with students who are looking for career training and new skills. He teaches TIG (Gas Tungsten Arc) Welding at MCST because it’s his favorite way to join metal. “I enjoy passing on information to others,” Morin says. “Teaching becomes worth it when the student has been practicing something and then you see the change from where they started.”
Artist and tailor Audrey McGlashan and has been teaching painting classes, in person and online, for the last six years. She originally came to MCST, “Because I was asked.” McGlashan says she likes the spirit and energy in the Adult Ed Program and loves working with her students.
Susan Reidy is a self-employed artist with a degree in art and music. “A friend of mine told me about the programs offered at MCST. I put together some classes and found the staff very supportive,” she said. Recently she has offered her classes via Zoom. “Learning how to teach online was a new format for me at first, however it is well worth the effort.” Reidy says she is inspired by adults who take time to pursue learning opportunities, pick up new skills, and add to their life experience. “Adult learners are attentive and quite happy to engage in the learning process,” she says.
Business course instructor Teresa Johnson is a special education instructor form RSU 13 who has been teaching at MCST for more than 12 years. Johnson took her teaching degree in business education and used it for a springboard to create a curriculum that offers students training in digital resources such as QuickBooks and the Microsoft Office Suite. Teaching at MCST, “… keeps me current with business concepts (and) is a change from my day job,” She says, and praises those who administer the MCST Adult Ed program as, “… very flexible, and willing to help or adjust to meet needs. Adult learners want to learn” Johnson adds. “They are so interested in the subject and have some of the best questions.”
We are currently putting together our Summer and fall course catalogs. Contribute to our learning community by calling 207-596-7752 Mondays through Thursdays, 9:30-5:00 or emailing Adult Education Director Heidi Nolan at hnolan@mcst8.org.
Photo caption: Former marine pilot Capt. Eugene Reil spent 43 years piloting ships in and out of New York harbor for the Sandy Hook Pilots Association. Now he teaches Marlinspike Seamanship at Mid-Coast School of Technology Adult Education.
