Category: News
People who live and work in Androscoggin County and are looking to enroll in college within the next 12-18 months can get help to prepare for academic challenges.
Lewiston Adult Education’s College Transition Program provides a review of reading, writing and math. It includes face-to-face and online interaction as part of the 14-week class.
Last semester, CTP students paid a visit to Central Maine Community College in Auburn and had a mini-class. They also visited the campus to work on a research paper.
The new semester starts on Jan. 26 at the B-Street Community Center on 57 Birch St. in Lewiston. Classes will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Applicants must take the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems, or CASAS, test before registration.
Students will receive help with the college application process and understanding the financial aid process along with the academic preparation. Upon successful completion of the program, they are also eligible for one college credit at CMCC.
For more information or to register for classes, visit ww.lewistonadulted.org or call 207-795-4141.
Posted
by Michael Reagan
on January 6, 2016
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Lewiston Adult Education has a number of new classes scheduled to begin in early January and is accepting registrations.
If you are preparing for a STEM or health care degree program or want to refresh your science knowledge, join us for Bio-Chem Boot Camp from Jan. 4-16. The program offers an intensive review of core concepts in general biology, including an overview of cells, genetics, heredity, microbiology and ecology as well as topics in chemistry, such as atoms and molecular structures. Virtual classes will be based at Lewiston Adult Education for video conferencing on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. with online assignments between sessions. The group will meet for two all-day Saturday lab sessions held at Gray-New Gloucester High School. The cost of the two-week program is $96. For more information or to register, call 795-4141.
Lewiston Adult Education will also host a WorkReady training program starting on Jan. 4. WorkReady is an 80-hour intensive program provided free to eligible participants in need of help with job searches and who would like to increase job skills. Space for this program is limited. For more information and to begin the application process, please contact the Lewiston Career Center at 753-9001.
The brochure for all of Lewiston Adult Education’s classes is set to be released at the end of December. Registration for enrichment and other classes are scheduled to begin in January.
Posted
by Michael Reagan
on December 15, 2015
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Irina Petranek
Irina Petranek works as an English Speakers of Other Languages teacher and job coach for Lewiston Adult Education. She talked about the New Mainers Refugee Workforce Development Project, which is held at the B Street Community Center in Lewiston. The project is a federally funded pilot program run in Portland and Lewiston. It is a collaborative effort of Portland Adult Edult Education, Lewiston Adult Education, Catholic Charities of Maine, the City of Portland Refugee Services, the City of Lewiston as well as the Portland and Lewiston CareerCenters.
1. What kind of help do you give to students in your class?
The goal of the program is to prepare students for the workforce in the USA. This includes discussing such topics as job applications, resumes, job search, job interviews, soft skills necessary to be successful at work here. We also provide them with the information about various resources in the community that can help with employment -- job agencies, training programs, the Lewiston CareerCenter, local companies.
2. Where do they come from?
The students in this New Mainers class come from Angola, Congo, Burundi, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Somalia, Yemen, Togo.
3. Why did they move to the United States?
Many of them are moving away from conflict, whether war or political reasons.
4. What would you want people to know about your students' goals?
I would like people to know that the students in this class as well as other students in our programs are highly-motivated and hardworking people who want to contribute to their community to the best of their abilities.
Posted
by Michael Reagan
on November 23, 2015
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Christina Monahan and Clarenece Rawding take part in a visit to Central Maine Community College's campus on Thursday.
Students in the Lewiston Adult Education’s College Transition Program participated in a mini-class at Central Maine Community College in Auburn as part of a Thursday visit.
Learning and Advising Specialist Julia Edwards of CMCC started the class with a discussion about President Obama’s recent speech to the United Nations General Assembly and then moved into an explanation about the civil war in Syria. The students received a copy of the speech and a list of potential questions before class.
“It was my students’ first experience in a college setting and I saw it ignite the spark of interest in higher learning and in their desire for higher education,” said Amy Hatch, College Transition Program Instructor at Lewiston Adult Education.
They were asked to highlight parts of the speech they agreed with and others with which they disagreed. Their two-hour class also included a discussion explanation about countries with capitalist economies, such as the United States.
Students in the program will return to CMCC at the end of October for a campus tour and a visit to the library as part of the work on a research paper.
Hatch praised Edwards for the time she spent with students and her willingness to answer questions about college.
For more information about Lewiston Adult Education’s College Transition Program or other classes, call 207-795-4141.
Posted
by Michael Reagan
on October 2, 2015
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People looking for a burst of energy to fall can check out a host of new classes coming to Lewiston Adult Education.
Don’t miss Lewiston Adult Ed’s “Super Saturday,” which is set for Oct. 17 at Lewiston High School. We will have one-day classes such as Introduction to Metaphysics & Meditation and Harvest Treats for Families, which will include chocolate and caramel creations. PC Preventative Maintenance and our American Heart Association CPR are two other choices for the day.
Quilting: Small Projects gets under way with a holiday theme on Oct. 6 and Excel II will help learners build on previous experience with spreadsheets start on Oct. 27. A couple classes, Wet Felting along with Alcohol Painting, will also give people a creative outlet in October.
We have a number of single-session classes. Thai Cooking, beginner, starts Oct. 28 while All Things Herbs will be held on Oct. 22.
Find out more about October classes and Super Saturday by visiting our website, www.lewistonadulted.org . Online registration can be done 24 hours a day. You can also call us at (207) 795-4141 to register and for additional information.
Posted
by Michael Reagan
on September 28, 2015
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The Maine Department of Education has awarded a grant to Lewiston Adult Education to provide
training for hundreds of new jobs at a local business.
The pilot grant helps job seekers prepare for work at the Argo Marketing Group. The company is
adding 300 positions, with benefits, at its Lewiston location within the next year resulting from a partnership with iYogi, a computer-support services business based in India. Lewiston Adult Education will offer integrated training that includes keyboarding, technology, critical reading and customer service training.
“Partnering with Argo Marketing creates a more streamlined path from training to employment,”
Lewiston Adult Education Director Eva Giles said. “This job-driven plan will provide a defined course for entry and advancement within Argo so people not only find a job, but a career.”
The $63,800 grant will allow Lewiston Adult Education to hold specific classes for people interested
in working in the call center industry.
"The small businesses that fill our main streets and downtowns are truly the backbone of the
economy. We need to make sure we are giving these businesses the opportunity to hire quality individuals that can make an immediate impact to their industry. Training programs such as the Integrated Education and Training pilot through Lewiston Adult Education will allow Argo Marketing Group the chance to not only employ these individuals, but potentially become a model for other business and services to follow. We are honored to be associated with this program and look forward to the positive impact to our industry and the other small businesses in the community,” Argo Marketing CEO Jason Levesque said.
The partnership also includes the Lewiston CareerCenter, the Central Western Maine Workforce
Investment Board and Central Maine Community College. Giles credited the Lewiston CareerCenter as being instrumental in helping Lewiston Adult Education identify both the need within the community and potential partners.
“As we move into the labor shortage, with a very low unemployment rate and older workers leaving
the workplace in droves, employers are looking at new ways to recruit and train new hires and incumbent workers. Some are already exploring hiring from talent pools they may not have previously considered. The LAE Integrated Education and Training pilot is a perfect example of using a collaborative approach between businesses, the CareerCenter and Adult Education to help meet labor needs of businesses,” Lewiston CareerCenter Manager Mary LaFontaine said.
The Department of Education awarded the pilot grants to five adult education programs in August.
The other recipients were RSU 24 Adult Education, Madawaska Adult and Community Education, Eastern Aroostook RSU #39 Adult and Community Education and RSU 25 Adult Education.
Anyone with questions about the training and sign-ups should contact the Lewiston CareerCenter at
(207) 753-9001.
Posted
by Michael Reagan
on September 11, 2015
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Rebecca Baird remembers one the first cakes she made for a client. It had five tiers and was for a January wedding reception.
But the dry air made caused the frosting roses to crack, so she was putting them on the cake at the last minute.
“Mistakes aren’t the end of the project. They help you to learn. It’s a great way to get comfortable with cake decorating,” she said.
What began as a creative outlet for her has turned into 35 years of experience. Next Baird will share what she has learned.
Her Lewiston Adult Education cake decorating class is scheduled to begin on Oct. 6 at Lewiston High School. It lasts five weeks.
Baird knows how forgiving frosting can be, such as filling in a hole in a cake. Or if an error occurs, icing can be scraped off and reapplied.
“Cake decorating is really one of those things where it really doesn’t matter your skill level. We’re not going to be making them for a 600-person wedding or anything like that. A cake decorating class is more of a trial and error. It’s a safe place to try something. If you mess up, you just scrape it off and start over again,” she said.
Baird likes buttercream frosting, but said it takes some technique to have the right consistency or it will be too thin or thick. Fondant, a kind of moldable sugar dough, can be used for decorations. She has used fondant to make small animals on one her cakes.
For more information about cake decorating and other food classes, check out https://www.lewistonadulted.org/students.php?course=cooking
Posted
by Michael Reagan
on August 5, 2015
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People interested in preparing for a career as a certified nursing assistant can sign up for introductory training at Lewiston Adult Education. The class is being held on Aug. 10.
“Health care continues to be a very in-demand job field, and the Ready2Work class lets people prepare for a new career. We have already celebrated a new group of CNAs graduating this summer. Next month, we will be ready to help those looking to make a move into a new career,” Lewiston Adult Education Director Eva Giles said.
The class will prepare students for the Maine state certified nursing assistant program Lewiston Adult Education runs with St. Mary’s Health System. Topics include confidentiality, critical reading and computer skills. The first 100 hours in the program will help them become familiar with employee expectations for CNAs.
Students will earn a readiness certificate with a successful completion of the class. The certificate is recognized throughout the health care industry.
People interested in the Ready2Work training in conjunction with the CNA class may contact the Lewiston Career Center at 207-753-9001 for more information. The class can be free if approved by the Career Center and if participants are eligible.
Anyone with additional questions may contact the Lewiston Career Center at (207) 795-4141.
Posted
by Jessica Crabtree
on July 29, 2015
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Anne Kemper and Amy Poland at the Maine Adult Education Association awards luncheon.
Two members of the Lewiston Adult Education faculty were recognized at the Maine Adult Education Association annual awards luncheon on June 18. Anne Kemper was honored with the Gerald R. Levasseur Award, and Amy Poland was honored with the Outstanding Teacher Award.
Anne Kemper has been the Adult Basic Education Counselor/Coordinator with LAE for over 30 years. Ms. Kemper was a founding member of the Adult Learning Center faculty, and in throughout her tenure instilled the value of community into every aspect of the Center’s programming and culture. Adult learners face many barriers, but Ms. Kemper tackles each one of their challenges and provides the support and encouragement needed to keep students moving forward. Her commitment to the larger community of lifelong learning extends well beyond the Adult Learning Center. She is actively involved with the Lewiston Public Library, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, and Androscoggin Head Start and Childcare. As Rick Speer, Lewiston Public Library Director, noted, “Anne is always looking out for her students, and always ready to go to bat for them in order to help them achieve their education and workplace aspirations.”
Students and colleagues alike recognize Ms. Kemper as an inspirational leader who faces each challenge head-on to create a professional learning environment. She raises people up, and constantly nurtures the lifelong learning community.
Although Ms. Kemper will be retiring this summer, her impact on the Lewiston Adult Education program will have a lasting effect not only on adult learners in Lewiston, but adult learners and Adult Education programs across the state.
Amy Poland, Lewiston Adult Education’s College Transition Program instructor, was recognized for her work helping adult learners develop the academic skills and confidence to pursue a college degree. Ms. Poland helps her students set goals, anticipate barriers, and develop persistence and resiliency by embedding a reflective way of thinking into her daily interactions with students. Ms. Poland utilizes the cohort model to foster a culture of community among her students: her students support and encourage one another in the same manner that she supports and encourages them. In addition to her work in Lewiston, Ms. Poland has worked tirelessly to create opportunities in Lisbon and RSU 16. She was also recognized for her leadership as a teacher coach with the College and Career Readiness Standards.
Although Ms. Poland will be leaving the classroom to take on the role of ABE Counselor/Coordinator following Ms. Kemper’s retirement, the work she did to develop the College Transitions curriculum will have a lasting impact on college-bound adults for years to come.
Posted
by Jessica Crabtree
on June 18, 2015
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Registration is now open for Lewiston Adult Education's summer courses!
Interviews for our CNA program will be held May 19 & 21 at 4:00 pm here at LHS, and the program will start June 2.
The College Transition Program will also start June 2. This is a great opportunity for adults interested in pursuing a college degree to brush up on their academic skills, receive help during the financial aid process, and to get ready to start college classes in the fall.
Also starting in June is our Culinary Arts Certificate course. This program is designed to give participants hands-on experience in the many aspects of the food service industry.
MS Excel I & II will be held in July and August.
Starting in July, High School Diploma/College Prerequisite courses will be held, including Algebra I and Critical Reading & Technical Writing.
HiSET (formerly GED), ESOL, and Adult Basic Education classes will be held on an ongoing basis at the Adult Learning Center. A Citizenship class is scheduled to start June 11th.
For more information on any of these programs, feel free to give us a call at 795-4141.
Posted
by Jessica Crabtree
on May 7, 2015
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156 East Ave. • Lewiston, ME 04240
