Shelli Pride, Director of Adult Education for Westbrook and Gorham, spoke to the club on October 8, 2019. She has been involved with adult education for 23 years, most of that time as an instructor. She took on her current role in July when she came to us from the Windham Adult Ed program.Adult Education currently has over 200 students in classes like ELL at the Community Center and including those studying for their High School diploma. Students are as young as 17, and range in age up to 75.
Shelli told us that technology programs have been really taking off. They have had CDL training classes for Class B licenses needed for driving smaller 
trucks like heating oil delivery trucks. A course training for CDL Class A (18 wheelers) is currently running, as is one for state car inspection. They recently graduated 13 CNA students all of whom are employed or are continuing their education.
trucks like heating oil delivery trucks. A course training for CDL Class A (18 wheelers) is currently running, as is one for state car inspection. They recently graduated 13 CNA students all of whom are employed or are continuing their education. 
There is an opportunity to “earn while you learn” so students can be paid while taking classes and working for an employer. And they have a job when they are done. This program has had nearly a 100% success rate.
Shelli is working to bring more programs back to Westbrook and Gorham. Expect to see some classes staring in January. These will include programs for fun things like line dancing and yoga as well as business related courses like Excel and QuickBooks. They are also hoping to partner with the Agency on Aging to offer a caregiver program in the spring (non-professional).
If you have ideas for programs, contact Shelli at prides@westbrookschools.org
For more information, visit the websites: https://westbrook.maineadulted.org/ or https://gorham.maineadulted.org/