Community Education Teachers Keep CV Learning, Thriving

If you’ve ever taken a class at Castro Valley Adult & Career Education (CVACE) you know the teachers are passionate and committed, whether it’s a yoga class or the Spanish language. So it’s bittersweet that CVACE says goodbye and thank you to some retiring teachers and invites community members to propose and teach new classes next year.

This year CVACE honors the contributions of several community education teachers that have helped build and maintain community for years.  Some teachers, like Milt Bowerman who conducted the swing band and Jim Vice who taught woodworking, spent decades supporting learners and making life richer for community members. Gus Wedemeyer came in and out of retirement to teach everything from piano to computer skills.  Others who shared their passions were yoga teacher Antonella dalla Muta, Italian teacher Francesca Lorenzon and guitar/ukulele teacher Jon Foster.

What keeps a community education teacher coming back year after year? Mary Lou Groffsays  “I was a cake decorating teacher for 40 plus years and half of those years were at the Castro Valley Adult School! Good memories of full, energetic classes, and really great staff to work with! The room was always clean, and I felt safe leaving at 9:00 at night. I think the students loved learning the skill... because they always wanted to take the advanced level! and begged for more after that!”

Although we say a fond farewell and sincere thank you to these institutions at CVACE, it leaves room for new teachers enthusiastic to share with the community. Are you an artist, dance teacher, cook or other special someone with a great idea for a class? Share your talents, have fun and get paid. To propose a class, start by reaching out to Assistant Principal Meighen Eberly meberly@cv.k12.ca.us.