Live and Learn: Adult Education and Online Courses

Angie's Soapmaking Business Soars after Class!

2009-11-04T08:47:00.000-08:00

A letter from Angie Barrett....

A few years ago I decided to take a class on cold processing soapmaking. I had already been making melt and pour soaps but wanted to try cold process so I had control over what ingredients went into my products. After researching in books and online, I was still terrified to try this method myself. I found out that First Class Inc. was offering a cold process soapmaking class so I convinced my sister to come with me and check it out.

After taking the class and seeing the process done first hand I was ready to take the plunge! Now I love experimenting with different ingredients and coming up with my own recipes. Not to mention, my business has been much more successful since I added these soaps to my product line.

Thank you, First Class Inc., for the skills and confidence to expand my business!

Sincerely,

Angie Barrett
Owner
Angie's Suds 'N' Such
www.SudsNSuch.etsy.com

The Benefits of Lifelong Learning

2009-10-02T08:34:00.000-07:00

by Adrienne Carlson, Guest Writer for First Class Inc.
adrienne.carlson83@yahoo.com
Accelerated Online Degrees

Education is the lifeblood of a career; it is the very foundation on which you build your future and climb up the career ladder. And for those of you who think that learning stops at the gates of college once you graduate, you have another think coming. Education is something that must continue, from the time you are born till the time you die, because lifelong learning sustains more than just your educative pursuit alone. When you make the attempt to learn at all stages in your life, when you keep updating your knowledge, you gain the following benefits:

•A keen and sharp mind: When you continue to tax your brain cells in the pursuit of learning new things and keeping your knowledge current and relevant, you become sharper and cleverer than before. Your brain develops new connections between neurons and remains healthy no matter how old you become. You’re able to stave off Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia when you keep your mind busy. Just like exercise is good for the body, learning is good for the mind.

•Self confidence: When you’re able to speak confidently on any subject, when you know that your knowledge level is high, you gain in self esteem and self confidence. This boosts how you feel about yourself, and you remain in a healthy state of mind. When you’re confident, you tend to taste success at a higher level. You also raise your standards and improve yourself.

•A boost up the career ladder: When you are knowledgeable and well educated, you are in demand in the job market. Organizations are keen to employ you and retain you at high salaries. And when you make the effort to continue with your learning process even on the job, you climb faster up the career ladder and are able to do your job more efficiently and effortlessly.

•New skills and talents: When you make it a point to learn new things and stay ahead of the learning curve, you pick up new skills and talents. You become a multi-faceted person, one who is well-versed in any subject under the sun and equipped with a variety of skills.

•An open and mature mind: When you make learning a lifelong experience, you open your mind to new experiences. This makes you more tolerant and understanding when it comes to dealing with people who interact with you. You gain maturity as you learn more and more and you’re eager to explore new options and test new ground. In short, you become a completely different person because of learning.

This guest article was written by Adrienne Carlson, who regularly writes on the topic of accelerated online degrees. Adrienne welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: adrienne.carlson83@yahoo.com

First Class Inc.'s 25th Anniversary

2009-09-01T14:05:00.000-07:00

Wow, it truly is a milestone...running a lifelong learning center for 25 years. What I have come to love most are the eager students who always come to class with an open mind and a willingness to learn how to do things better...or just a willingness to tackle a new skill or concept. If it were all about that..I think I could run the center for 25 more years. But, what bothers me the most is probably not what you'd expect. It's that adult students think nothing of dropping their trash on the floor, taking cell phone calls during class, arriving 45 minutes late, and then expecting the teacher to backtrack and review the missed information. It's this underlying selfishness that scares me more than anything. I can't help but think that this is the byproduct of early education gone wrong.

On the other hand, keeping your mind engaged is what makes life cool, neat and fascinating. It's a reason to get up in the morning..and you never know when you might discover a latent talent that changes your life's path. I've been energized by all the student success stories. In fact, I just listened in on the class on "Creating Healthy Friendships" and found just the tools I needed to move on from an unhealthy friendship.

So, to "Living and Learning"..a toast to lifelong learning.

Sincerely,
Deb Leopold

Fear of Public Speaking Conquered via Seminar!

2009-06-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

I took a few of Arnold Sanow's classes on public speaking. He is the best! Before taking his classes, even the thought of giving a presentation or speech made me ill. Picturing everyone in the audience with their "underwear" on never worked for me. I was already outgoing, but something about getting in front of a big audience scared me!! His classes changed all of that. Last summer, I was invited to give a presentation to a national association at their annual conference. Since that time, I have given about six other presentations and always received feedback stating "exceeded expectations."

Just recently, I have really been able to put my skills to work! I am very excited to share that I just launched a new business. White Brights Teeth Whitening Boutiques! We offer teeth whitening at salons, spas, gyms, national trade shows, conferences and home parties. Results are immediate and only one treatment is necessary. Our customers have been thrilled!

Arnold Sanow's classes helped me feel comfortable presenting all of this information to groups, investors and the general public. I even spark up conversations in the grocery line. Before, I would have felt stupid or uncomfortable. I have always been very impressed and "wowed" by First Class. I love to get the catalog and go through and select classes. I feel very fortunate to have such an awesome variety on such cool topics.

Sincerely,
W. Mason Preddy
CEO/Founder
White Brights Teeth Whitening Boutiques

A Tour Guiding Success Story! $39 grew to $100,000!

2009-05-29T12:57:00.000-07:00

A note from Lynn O'Connell:

Lynn just recalled how much she had earned from taking her first class entitled "Wanted: D.C. Tour Guides" over 20 years ago!

My cost: $39. My profits: $100,000+ over the past two decades – in my “spare” time. When I first moved to DC, I signed up for a two-hour class on Becoming a Tour Guide, thinking it would be a good way to explore the city. I went on to get my D.C. license and have led local tours for many years. I now lead tours internationally to places like Kenya, Belize, and France. Yes, I have a Master’s that helps me succeed in my day job. But, that $39 class has certainly brought me a return on investment! -Lynn

Multiple Revenue Stream Seminar Reaps Rewards!

2009-04-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

A message from Larry Ray!

I wanted to become self-employed. My first step: take classes at First Class Inc.. I took two classes: "How to Be a $1000/Day Consultant" and "Making a Living without a Job." I took away two important themes--create multiple revenue streams and consult in areas in which you already have expertise. For the past 12 years, following those themes, I have been a successfully employed Attorney, Mediator, Arbitrator, and Executive Coach.

Sincerely,

Larry Ray

Tarot Class Leads to Profound Change

2009-04-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

A message from Paul Weiss:

Back in the winter of 2002, I enrolled in "Tarot Messages" taught by Geraldine Amaral. This class that is held at First Class Inc. changed my life. Over the past six years, I've taken other classes through First Class to imprve the quality of my life and to start a business. From the very first class, "Tarot Messages," I became a certified professional tarot reader. I do highly endorse this center because it will have a profound impact on your life for the better. First Class rocks!

Export Import Class Spurs Student to Launch Website

2009-04-09T16:35:00.000-07:00

Fresh out of college, I took the “Break into the Import/Export Business” class offered by First Class Inc. to give me more insight on how I could get started in the import industry. Two years later, I now run a successful website full-time RoundBrushHair which provides products from the Dominican Republic to men and women in the United States and eight countries in Europe.

Jennifer
Founder, RoundBrushHair.com

The Dilemma: How to Handle a Difficult Adult Learner

2009-04-09T07:53:00.000-07:00

When it is no longer an option to send a student out of a class, how does a seminar leader handle a student whose behavior can impact on a seminar in a negative way? In the past few weeks, I've watched two different instructors handle challenging students. In the first instance, a female student (who will remain anonymous) kept interrupting the teacher with unrelated and somewhat racist comments. The teacher handled it like a pro...found something in her statement to comment on (since it was a communication class) and then forged ahead with the material. Luckily, the other students in attendance realized that the student was troubled. Because everyone behaved like mature adults, the seminar was not seriously impacted. I was very close to asking the student to leave, but I did not want to undermine the teacher's authority.

In the second instance, we had a gentleman who wanted to make sure that everyone in the class knew that he was also an authority on the topic. He would raise his hand to comment on something the teacher had said, but when the teacher began talking again...he was still talking. I have to admit--this was a first! And, very annoying to both the teacher and the other students. Again, everyone in class behaved admirably. In this instance, it might have helped if one of the other students gently mentioned that his behavior was bothersome. That would have lifted the onus off the instructor so that he/she did not have to be the "bouncer."

Hopefully, this is just a fluke. But, I always try to use these situations as learning experiences and judge how to best handle them in the future.

A "5 Year Vision" Success Story!

2009-03-07T08:41:00.000-08:00

One year ago, I took a First Class Inc. course called “Your 5-Year Vision, how you see yourself five years from now, and how to get there,” by professional coach Margarita Rozenfeld. I was really lost in what I wanted to do with my professional career, and had only a few vague ideas. This course was the first important step towards building a concrete, step-by-step plan to achieve my professional goals. Now, I’m doing exactly what I have always dreamed of.”

Barbara Jauregui

It really is a time of change! New Career; New Attitude

2009-02-12T12:17:00.000-08:00

Recently, I've noticed a new attitude in the career seminars that we've been holding at First Class Inc. in the past few weeks. Normally, there is an air of frustration and discontent around being laid off and/or downsized...but this time, students seem to be viewing the circumstances more as an "opportunity" and less as a calamity. Even with the realization that they will be living on less, living one's dream seems to have taken on a new importance. It's a subtle change; but an exciting one. But, as I saw in "The Passion Test" seminar..trying to figure out just what your "passion" is..is not an easy task. I'm a firm believer in creating a vision board or treasure map..and as I just learned from Evelin Saxinger, you can create a vision board online and use it as your screensaver!

A "Publishing Your Book" Success Story!

2009-01-12T08:16:00.000-08:00

On June 13, 2006, I signed up with First Class for "Publishing Your Book" and "How to Write Your First Book," presented by publishing expert Dan Poynter.

What I learned from that class led to my writing Spontaneous Tourism: The Busy Person's Guide to Travel (available in bookstores and online; Spontaneous Tourism), which enjoyed a 10,000-copy print run and got me bookings on radio shows across the country.

Without First Class and Dan Poynter, none of that would have happened.

Regards,
Jamie

--
James C. Samans,
Author of Spontaneous Tourism: The Busy Person's Guide to Travel

How an Online Class Changed a Student's Life

2008-12-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

My name is Evans Johnson. Exactly one year ago this month I completed an online course entitled Get Paid to Travel It opened an access door to a segment of employment in travel, tourism and event management with tour operators, incentive houses and destination management companies that is rarely if ever advertised and almost impossible to find training for and pays very well. 100% because of taking the course, I learned of segments of an industry and employment opportunities that I didn’t even know existed. The course gave me a road map to follow, from resume development to a list of companies to pursue. I called, sent my resume and interviewed. Immediately I started getting hired. I work as an independent contractor and have received so much work that I had to cease accepting work from four companies because I became overextended. I have traveled, found excitement and a wonderful dream making career with unlimited growth opportunity. With this income supplement, I have almost doubled my earnings and have now easily glided into a six figure income. All of this is due 100% to taking that $99 “Get Paid to Travel” online course.

Thanks First Class.

Sincerely,

Evans Johnson

Shop and Support First Class Inc!

2008-12-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

What if First Class Inc earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

Search for Good is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

www.goodshop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.

Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter First Class Inc as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!

Screenwriting Success Story: Student Sells Option!

2008-11-12T11:28:00.000-08:00

My name is Mark Hughes, and I took Ron Peterson's Screenwriting class in the Summer of 2008, through First Class Inc. Ron's seminar and the materials he offered proved invaluable to helping me being a career in screenwriting. Ron's course taught me to approach screenwriting from an entirely new perspective, and in fact no other course or book focuses on important elements like sequencing the way Ron does. Within four months, I acquired a manager, sold an option on a screenplay for a major film franchise, and began work with another writer for an original sci-fi television series that has received a great response so far. I have several other projects in the works, and direct links to producers and actors in Hollywood.First Class introduced me to Ron, and Ron introduced me to a real future as a screenwriter!

Student Success Story: So You've Got a Great Invention?

2008-11-07T08:48:00.001-08:00

While taking “So You’ve Got a Great Invention”, I realized that an artist friend of mine had been developing something unique. I asked the instructor about marketing cartoon characters and he explained trademark to the class. The next day I approached the artist, Peter Yim, and we formed a collaboration to develop characters, write stories and promote the Ninjanimals world.
I now have 20 cartoon characters, a children’s website - Visit The Ninjanimals Kidz Website!- and many stories to post online. Thank you First Class for providing the information and inspiration which allowed me to bring my hobby to the next level.
Rachel Zuckerman, Owner and Webmaster

A phenomenal First Class Inc. Success Story!

2008-10-13T13:25:00.000-07:00

A phenomenal First
Class Success Story!

My name is Catherine Tibaaga and I took the class called Introduction to QuickBooks 2007 through First Class Inc. I was living in a homeless shelter from February to May 2008, when I decided to sign up for the QuickBooks course using the money I received from unemployment. I was also able to purchase the QuickBooks 2007 product and a cheap laptop. During my time in the shelter, I would go to the Caribou Coffee on 14th and Rhode Island and take my class. I would also study accounting concepts from two books I borrowed from the library. In April 2008, I successfully finished the course and as a result, I was able to find a job for an IT company as their financial administrator handling their bookkeeping. I am grateful for the class because it gave me the tools I needed to start my career in accounting and the opportunity to become economically self-sufficient so that I can leave the shelter. As of now I have my own place and I am back in school for my Bookkeeping Certification.

Sincerely,Catherine Tibaaga

The Advantage of the Mind Over the Body

2008-09-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

According to Michael Merzenich, a professor at the University of California, "If you stop exercising the brain - and this is what often happens during retirement - then you shouldn't be surprised when it starts to die off." I'm not surprised at this finding because as a result of sitting in on classes like "Hand Analysis: Palmistry Rediscovered," "Car Maintenance 101," and "Getting into Commercial Voice-Overs," I feel brighter, lighter and re-invigorated! Just learning one new morsel about myself--i.e., I have "air" hands which are long with ballet-like fingers and exaggerated knuckles..I discovered that I'm artistic! What a neat discovery! I'm committed to making sure that if the brain truly operates on a "use-it or lose-it principle," I won't be losing anything in the near future. I hope this inspires you to take at least one new class a month..or commit yourself to mastering one new skill per month.

My Take on "The Hobart Shakespeareans"

2008-08-11T16:32:00.000-07:00

On a whim, I rented "The Hobart Shakespeareans" from Netflix and was totally transfixed from start to finish. I have never seen a teacher with a vision as strong and as powerful as Rafe's. The beauty of what he's done in the classroom is that he didn't copy a model..it was a model created straight from his heart. And, oh what a model it is! In a nutshell, he teaches the students to "be kind" and "work hard." Stunningly simple with elegant results. But, in every word, every gesture, every interaction, he illustrates with his own behavior the same message that he is trying to impart. There is no emphasis on grades, tests, or other stress-inducing learning tools...but rather on supporting your fellow classmate, understanding what you read, working together and all the crucial life skills that seem to go by the wayside in most classrooms. Do not wait..rent this documentary today! If you've struggled with leaving an imprint on the planet, you will be so inspired to do better (in whatever you do) by watching this film.

3 Gems from 3 Workshops!

2008-07-10T14:11:00.000-07:00

This Summer, I have been committed to sitting in on as many classes as my "legume" brain can handle....and, I'm enjoying the seminars more than you can imagine. Without any spoilers, I thought I'd share three gems (pearls of wisdom) that I picked up from three recent seminars:

1. Getting Paid to Talk: Breaking into Commercial Voice-Overs. In Voice Overs, just as in life, the talent that gets hired arrives early, dresses the part, displays a great attitude, is easy to get along with and is passionate about his/her work. Sounds simple? Right, but can I tell you how few potential hirees get it right on all counts.

2. 25 Ways to Improve Your Home. Throw away the artificial flowers!! Replace them with fresh grown herbs...and now you have decor with a chef's bonus!

3. Fun Tips to Solve Sudoku Puzzles. Having something fun and challenging to do like a Sudoku puzzle can change the whole nature of "waiting." By bringing a puzzle to the DMV, the doctor's office or any waiting room...your mind is engaged and you're less likely to get bent out of shape when your appointment is delayed.

OK--that's it for now! Feel free to e-mail your one-liner pearls of wisdom.

Ingenuity 101: Classes can help you generate part-time income!

2008-06-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

I know it's necessary that a certain amount of belt-tightening take place given the higher tabs at the grocery store and gas pump, but remember that acquiring a new skill can also help you create a new source of money flow. So, when it comes to a seminar or adult education class, you may want to think twice before crossing that off your "to do" list. You never know when an avocation might become a vocation! We've heard many inspiring stories from students who have gone on to become voice-over talents, screenwriters and part-time private investigators. Nationally, adult education centers are experiencing a slump like never before...so we hope that you will come out and support your local continuing ed program and (maybe, just maybe) become passionate about a new skill or meet a new friend in the process.

What ever happened to Edu-quette? Proper Classroom Behavior

2008-05-06T12:33:00.000-07:00

I've been very busy observing students and teachers in action since February of this year. While being amazed at how much good information/contacts that students share with each other...I have also been amazed at the instances of inappropriate behavior. So here follows Deb's Rules of Edu-Quette:

1) It is not "cool" to answer your cell phone in the middle of a class. It is disrepectful and not fair to the other students in class who are actively listening to the teacher's presentation. Please turn off your cell phone when you enter the classroom just as if you were entering the movie theatre.

2) I have had students arrive 35 minutes late to an hour late for class. While this is sometimes unavoidable, you cannot expect the teacher to backtrack just for you. Take responsibility for being late and don't inconvenience the other students.

3) I cannot tell you the number of students who will simply drop their trash on the floor. I put out tea, cookies and small candies for students. Please return the favor by putting all trash in the containers provided. Many adult education schools are operating on a lean budget...the director may also be the person who cleans the classrooms. Just an FYI!

4) Attend class with an open mind. While you may disagree with a teacher, allow yourself to (at least) experience a different perspective. If you attack the teacher, it will affect the mood of the classroom. You're welcome to express a varying point of view, but do so in a manner that is conducive to discussion.

5) Please do not get up and walk out of a class while a teacher is "mid-sentence" so to speak. Imagine that you are a teacher and a student suddenly and inexplicably gets up and walks out. You have no idea if they are ill, unhappy, or under some other time constraint. If obligations necessitate that you leave early, please take a few seconds to let the teacher know ahead of time.

Most of these items are common sense, but I felt that they needed to be repeated. Good manners have a global impact! Not just in the classroom, but everywhere!

What Makes a Teacher Amazing?

2008-04-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

What makes a teacher amazing?

Once again, you are privy to my thoughts and ramblings as I've made it a goal to sit in on two or three classes per week at my lifelong learning center. Lately, I've begun to focus on what makes a teacher's presence magical?...what makes you hold on to his/her words long after the actual classroom experience? Well, these are my thoughts:

* A wonderful teacher stays in the driver's seat. By that I mean, a student is not allowed to take the class off on a personal tangent. The teacher is so much in the driver's seat that he/she is able to create examples that specifically apply to a particular student and then draw that student into the discussion by name. Now, the student is an active participant in the goings-on rather than a passive listener.

* A wonderful teacher shares a part of his/her life by way of anecdote so that the student feels a connection that goes beyond the words being delivered. By exposing himself/herself, the teacher becomes vulnerable in the way that the student cares about the teacher almost like a friend.

* A wonderful teacher does not hold back any materials. He/she shares the grand successes along with the dismal failures. If it's true that we "live and learn," then why not share failures to help someone avoid the same pain or expense.

*Lastly, a wonderful teacher goes beyond. Every five minutes of material has taken maybe two or three hours to prepare. Why? Well, maybe it involves humor (which keeps adult learners awake), or maybe it involves coming up with the perfect case study to illustrate a point, or maybe it involves footnoting facts and figures...so they are not pulled out of thin air. Winging it is not an option for an amazing teacher!

Live Classes vs. Online Classes

2008-03-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

Lately, the lifelong learning marketplace has been faced with the challenge of enticing students away from their computer and into the bricks and mortar classroom for an actual real teacher/real student experience. Over the past few weeks, I've been monitoring several of First Class Inc.'s live classes and I think I've come up with an important nugget of information. Yes, you can get a lot of information from the Internet, but what's missing is the inspiration. The element of "now go out there and do it" is the crucial piece of the puzzle. I sat in on both "Conquering Clutter" and "How to Be 100% Irresistible" and I realized that without the chemical reaction that happens during the actual teacher/student exchange....there is no driving force to motivate you to make the change. Now, I just need to figure out how to get that across in all my marketing materials! I'm working on it....

Bring First Class Inc. to Your Office with our newly formed Speakers Bureau

2008-02-13T11:32:00.000-08:00

If you're involved with a corporation, association or government agency in need of top-notch training, then allow our First Class Inc. Speakers Bureau to handle all of your needs. Be sure to make your next meeting a memorable one!

Our presenters are skilled at delivering practical “use it today” knowledge that will specifically address your organization’s challenges and concerns. From Team Building Tips, to Brilliant Customer Service, to Extreme Etiquette, we can provide training solutions that work! Most topics can be adapted for keynotes, breakouts, and retreats.

Please call Arnold in our Corporate Training department at 202-797-5102 to find out how your organization can become more profitable and productive today or even better, E-mail us your training needs at takeaclass@aol.com