OLLI: Call for Facilitators for 2012

By Natalia Molina , MPH
Director, OLLI of Sedona & Verde Valley
928-649-4275
Natalia.McKendry@yc.edu

Sedona AZ (September 21, 2011) – Yavapai College’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) of Sedona and the Verde Valley is accepting facilitator proposals for the winter tern until October 10. The winter term begins January 17, 2012 and ends March 9, 2012. OLLI of Sedona & the Verde Valley is a dynamic organization within Yavapai College created to meet the needs of intellectually active mature adults. What makes OLLI a unique learning experience is that there is no pressure of tests, grades, or papers. It is a warm gathering of people who are endlessly curious and love to learn.

The facilitators at OLLI are those individuals who guide and lead the discussions for classes and workshops. These individuals are volunteers who share hobbies and interests in classroom settings. According to the Director of OLLI of Sedona and the Verde Valley, “Learning never retires and OLLI is a great outlet to share your passion with likeminded people about politics, arts, reading, sciences, and much more.”

This fall, OLLI of Sedona and the Verde Valley has a team of 75 facilitators that will be presenting either classes or workshops. Facilitator Curt Ireland exemplifies the breadth and depth of the caliber of OLLI facilitators and their robust experience.

Curt Ireland was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, and attended Carleton College, Northfield, MN, graduating with a BA in Government and International Relations. He received his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor. Curt then returned to Rapid City where he practiced as a trial attorney for 40 years before moving to the Verde Valley in 2001 with his wife, Cynthia Strom.

Curt and Cynthia will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary this fall. They have a blended family of 7 children and 13 grandchildren.

In 2004, Curt received a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts to teach both debate and mock trials in the Sedona Public Schools. As a member of Sedona Toastmasters, Curt served as president and won First Place honors in the 2006 Area Y-6 International Speech Contest.

Curt and Cynthia have written several musical dramas and comedies which have been produced at Canyon Moon Theatre and by the Mingus Union High School drama department. Both Curt and Cynthia are active members of OLLI. Cynthia, a vocal performer, and pianist, Nancy Bright, are planning a fundraising concert for OLLI in the spring.

As a member of OLLI for one year, Curt has facilitated the following classes: “Mock Trials;” “American Revolution;” and “Western Expansion and the Tragedy of the Native Americans.” Curt is currently a co-facilitator with Joe Stack for the “News and Views” class and is teaching the course, “Slavery and the Civil War—Part I.” Part II will be offered in OLLI’s 2012 Winter session.

He thoroughly enjoys teaching adults who are both knowledgeable and excited about U.S. History. Curt says, “As a facilitator I always learn more than my class participants because we are involved together in the learning process. Benjamin Franklin was correct when he stated; Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

Curt strongly urges other community members to explore the variety of courses available through OLLI. “I know others will discover, either by taking a course or by facilitating a course for which they have expertise, they will not only learn, but in the process, meet friends who share those interests.”

For more information on OLLI of Sedona and the Verde Valley or to request a facilitator proposal form, please call 928-649-4275.