Keep Learning with Adult Ed

from Milford Living Summer 2023

farm to table Farmer’s Markets

The City of Milford’s Board of Education is tasked with providing our children with pre-K through grade 12 learning experiences. But it also has a robust Adult Education program, offering a wide range of classes to pique the interest of many.

According to Milford Public Schools communications director Katy Bonetti, the city’s Adult Ed program is comprised of two parts: “One part is the Academic Course Program (sometimes referred to as Mandated Programming) that includes basic skills instruction, GED test preparation, citizenship preparation, and English as a Second Language instruction. All of these courses are provided free of charge to Milford residents.”

Bonetti continued, “In addition to the Academic Course offerings, Milford Adult Education is proud to offer nearly 100 courses in their Enrichment Program. These courses give students the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of interests, such as arts and crafts, financial planning, career building, health and wellness, recreation, world languages, and much more. Courses may run only one night or may meet for several weeks, depending on the subject matter.” Let’s throw the spotlight on just a few of the courses available.

It’s Clay Time

For those who are drawn to art, there are numerous fun courses to choose from. It’s Clay Time focuses on creating functional and non-functional items from clay using different techniques, and is taught by Foran High’s ceramics teacher Emily Plude. “I have had a passion for the ceramic arts since my experience as a student in the visual arts classes at Jonathan Law High School,” says Plude. “I knew early on that I always wanted to teach art, but I really wanted to focus on learning more about ceramics. I earned my BFA in Ceramics from Hartford Art School. After graduating, I worked as a sculptor in the art department at a stop motion animation film studio. Working in the industry with adults fostered my passion for working with adult

As Plude explains, “In my ceramics classes I focus on teaching my beginners about the three main clay hand-building techniques: casting clay from molds, a variety of different surface treatments, and how turn clay on the potter’s wheel. My advanced sections are for students who have taken my class(es) and want to further their knowledge and experience by creating more complex forms on the wheel and/or by hand building.”

For Plude, the best part about teaching adult learners is that “they all have varying experiences in working with clay and/or creating art. Having the ability to get to know them and guide them on their artistic journey has been very rewarding.”

Estate Planning 101 & Medicaid and Long-Term Care Planning

Attorney Nicole Camporeale, Esq. of the law firm Hoekenga, Machado, & Lyon, LLC, has been teaching enrichment courses for Milford Adult Education for several years, bringing a wealth of experience to these valuable classes.

“I teach Estate Planning 101 and Medicaid and Long-Term Care Planning. We learn about the basic estate planning documents everyone needs, how to avoid probate using revocable living trusts, asset protection in advance of needing long term care, applying for Medicaid, and using assets in the best way possible when someone already has care needs.”

Camporeale looks at her classes as providing a beneficial service. “I love to educate individuals about estate planning and planning ahead for potential long term care needs because of its sheer importance,” she says. “Being able to have a say in your affairs, protect assets, and have your wishes met after death is extremely important. Teaching through the adult education program has allowed me to reach an audience that wants to learn more about this planning and have the tools available so they can take action. I have met many wonderful students over the years. It is a great program and service to the community.”

Student Becomes Teacher

Milford native Donna Berlanda has both taken and taught classes through Milford’s Adult Ed program. “I took knitting with local knitter Lynn Perry and wound up making a tangled mess, so I took it again,” she laughs. “After the second time, I did well and began to knit for fun, even on the train to Stamford where I worked. I wound up inspiring others and we had a ‘needlework car’ on the train! I went on to improve my skills to the point where I started designing items. I also really enjoyed taking a stained-glass class with Paul Petrushonis and even a rollerblading class.”

Berlanda eventually decided to share some of her skills as a teacher. “I have been able to teach classes for many years as well, such as floral design, garment construction, and landscape design,” she says. “My favorite thing about teaching Adult Ed is that the people who come want to learn and I love to teach the skills I have to others.”

There are many other vibrant and fascinating courses available in many different topic areas. Learners can sign up for lessons in how to do voiceovers, get their lifeguard certification, study the fundamentals of boxing, learn several different types of dancing or a new language, get instruction on how to write a memoir, brush up on their knowledge of wine from different regions, and much, much more.

Most classes are held at Joseph A. Foran High School, with others at an alternate site. The location is confirmed upon registration.

For the second year, according to Kathy Bonetti, “The Milford Adult Ed program will also open its smaller scale Summer Courses program. Limited to approximately 16-20 courses, residents can still take courses that meet a few weeks over the summer.” The fall offerings and registration will be available online or through the catalogue later in the summer.