Instructor Guidelines
Do you have a skill or interest to share? Cohn Community Education believes that learning is a rewarding experience that is best in an informal, supportive, environment. Opportunities exist to teach on the campus of Cohn Adult High School, as well as in outlying community centers.
The ideal instructor candidates for our program are individuals who combine an interest in serving the community with sharing the various skills and talents they posses. We do not offer employment to our instructors, nor is teaching for us a route to employment. We are very interested in developing long-term relationships with successful instructors who are willing to share their knowledge on a volunteer basis.
Community Education Department Instructor Guidelines
Please review the following guidelines.
1. Job Description
The primary responsibility of a Community Education Instructor is to be able to convey their expertise for their subject in an effective manner. As potential Community Education Instructors, you are expected to have strong communication skills and have significant experience with the topic described in your Course Proposal Form. Qualities for successful instructors include the desire to share their subject and excellent presentation skills. Community Education courses are designed to appeal to the diverse interests and needs of lifelong learners.
2. Course Materials
Any materials, supplies, equipment, and/or copies that are needed for your class must be approved by your coordinator prior to the course being listed in the printed schedule. This includes materials that are reimbursable to the instructor as well as any materials supplied by the Community Education Department. Reimbursable course supply costs are to be invoiced back to the department with receipts, if applicable. Reimbursements will be made.
Audio visual equipment must be requested and approved by the coordinator in advance of course
scheduling.
3. Course Fees
Course fees and tuition are calculated by the coordinator. Coordinators may consult with instructors. A number of factors including coordinator time and expense, course
material expense, facility rental (if needed), and miscellaneous costs are used to calculate the cost per student for each course. The program depends entirely on fees collected from registrations to cover administrative and advertising costs. It is important that course titles and descriptions are clear, concise and enticing enough to encourage class participation. Courses with insufficient registrations will be cancelled. It is the goal of the Community Education Department that course expenditures will be offset by course revenues.
4. Instruction
It is expected that instructors will conduct themselves in a courteous and professional manner. Instructors will be evaluated by students once every year. It is expected that the instructor will use the evaluation as an opportunity to improve the quality of content and instruction. Classes should begin and end on time. Classrooms need to be returned to original order for a class at the end of the class. If the class is held at an off-campus facility, extra care should be taken regarding the condition and order of the room.
5. Course Format
Cohn CEC requests that all instructors provide a brief outline of the course curriculum including the format of the course (i.e. Lecture, vocational, certificate or outside activity), minimum/maximum requirement of students.
6. Documentation
Cohn CEC requests that all instructors offer a complete course outline/syllabus, as well as, professional and personal references upon suggesting a possible course.
7. Course Agreement
Cohn CEC requires instructors to fulfill Course Agreements but understands that emergencies occur which will cause a class to be cancelled. Classes that are cancelled should be made up at a later date if the length of the term accommodates. Please work with the Site Coordinator when cancellations occur. Please notify the students by phone or email and indicate what action will be taken.
8. Course Advertisement
Cohn CEC will advertise courses in a catalog that will be distributed at various locations in the community. The catalog will also be posted on the Community Education website. The catalog will be direct mailed to students of Cohn CEC. Course registrations will be accepted in-person and by mail. We expect all instructors to encourage attendance in their classes through word-of-mouth and other means available to them.
9. Scheduling
Cohn CEC will follow the district school calendar and will not hold classes when schools are closed.
IMPORTANT! Community Education is a community service. Community Education reserves the right to reject or rearrange classes to avoid duplication. All student information, including contact information, is confidential.