Our co-op is built on community.  We thrive because parents just like you volunteer to teach each semester.  Classes aren't assigned by any specific person, and doesn't fall as the responsibility of any one parent.  Our schedule is created from the classes parents volunteer to teach.  And our offerings determine people's interest and registration.  Simply put, without our families and without classes, there is no e-day.  Outside of keeping e-day alive and thriving, there are so many other benefits to teaching a class.

• Share what you love – Turn your hobbies, skills, or interests into a class kids will get excited about.

• Connect with other families – Teaching builds stronger connection with kids and parents alike.

• See learning come alive – Watch students’ “aha!” moments happen right in front of you.

• Grow your own skills – Gain confidence, creativity, and new teaching tricks along the way.

• Keep our co-op thriving – Every class you teach adds variety and keeps things fresh for all families.

• Be part of the fun – Kids remember the people who made their learning memorable — you could be that person.

Create sustainability – When everyone shares the teaching responsibility, we avoid burnout, and keep kids and families engaged with new classes.

Early class sign ups – As a way to show our appreciation, those teaching classes will get the opportunity to sign their children up for classes before we open up to the rest of membership.

Your passion + our community = unforgettable classes for our kids.

So whether it’s a skill, a subject you love, or just a fun idea you’ve always wanted to try — bring it to co-op! You might be surprised by how rewarding it is, and you’ll have support every step of the way.

• One semester = 12 class weeks (this may happen over 13-15 calendar weeks depending on how the holidays fall)

• One class period = 55 minutes

• We have 5 periods in the day, so you can submit anywhere from 1 to 5 classes, though if you're wanting to teach more than one, the sweet spot usually sits between 2 to 3 classes per semester.  Determine how much prep work your class will need, that will help you decide how many periods to teach)

• You can offer the same class more than once, or teach different classes.

-What should I teach?

Almost anything!  Our classes range from academic to creative to just plain fun.  The only real limit is your imagination.  Remember, a factor in most people's homeschooling decision is because something about the traditional school model didn't work for their family, there's no need to go ahead and try to recreate that model now!  

Think about what your own kid likes.  Dinosaurs? Bugs? Crafting?  What did you love as a teen?  Sports?  Language?  Fashion?  The sky is literally the limit here.  It's amazing what can be turned into a class.  If you need help brainstorming some ideas, we have people who are happy to help you hammer out the details.  Sometimes finding a unit study is great.  Those can easily be shortened to be taught in 1 semester, or possibly over 2 semesters.

In the past, we’ve had:

• Aesop’s Fables on Stage – This student led class took a teacher provided script on day one, and made edits to ensure everyone was included and happy with the final product, brainstormed set design, built their set, practiced their play, and performed it at our end of semester open house/showcase.

• Drama Club 

• Music and Rhythm Classes- Boomwhackers, drumming, and private piano lessons.

• 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens – life and leadership skills via a book study and discussion.

• Details Matter – Learning how to write and communicate with specificity in mind in creative ways (such as dissarming a video game explosive!)

• Magic School Bus Science – hands-on experiments inspired by the tv episodes.

• Social-Emotional Skills with Bluey – playful ways to learn kindness and empathy

• Outdoor Games – Quite literally, recess meets gym class.  

• Public Speaking – Weekly prompts for the kids to develop their speeches, and share them in a warm and safe environment.  Also, an opportunity for all students to practice polite, empathetic, constructive feedback.

• Woodshop – We've had woodshop and woodshop jr available for several semesters.  In fact, we still have the supplies and tools if you have the knowledge!

• Student Led Classes – That's right, our students step up and teach what they're passionate about too.  Outdoor Games, Jewelry making, Beyblades, Gymnastic Skills, and Beginner Basket Ball Skills are just the most recent student led classes. 

There are a few things to take into consideration when planning a class, or how many classes to offer.  Allow us to share some hindsight from those who have taught before.

• Ask yourself how much time you have during the week to commit to planning and prepping.  
  • If you don't have a lot of extra time during the week to give, consider something with low lesson plan requirements.  That might look like ready to go classes.  These usually include hobbies, your current/former profession, or things you're already knowledgable about.  Something that's in your everyday life.  Maybe you play an instrument and teach a rhythm class or how to read sheet music.  Crocheting, knot tying, first aid, working out, doing hair/makeup, etc.  
    
    
  • If you're interested in teaching more than one class, keep in mind the prep work for the classes you want to teach will add up.  Maybe 1 class that takes some prep, and one class that is easy to show up and go.
    
    
• Is it going to be parent led, or student led and you act as the facilitator?
  • This may also determine the amount of prep time.  If you just need to plan to give them a quick bit of instruction at the start of class, and then set them loose to solve a problem, your planning may be a lot less than if your intention is to present information for the full hour.
    
    
• What age group do I enjoy working with the most??
  • Your enthusiasm for being around the students will show, and they'll feed off of it.  Sometimes, parents of littles really appreciate the ability to discuss topics logically with teens.  Sometimes, they really thrive working with the same age group they're currently parenting.  There is no right or wrong answer.  
    
    
  • Sometimes, knowing your age group ahead of time can help you brainstorm classes geared towards that age.  Othertimes, if you have a class you're excited to teach, it's a matter of figuring out the age range you want to design that topic for (or that is best suited for it).  
    
    
• Will my class require students to have certain abilities?
  • It's okay if it does, but it's worth noting in your class description.  Especially in the younger years, things worth considering...
    • Fine motor skills – do they need to be good at it, or will this be something you're practicing?
    • Reading abilities – A book club for K or 1st grade may leave you needing to read more aloud than you intendend.
    • Attention spans – Younger children may require more movement, or more energy, to keep them engaged.
    • Writing skills – If they're building lapbooks, taking notes, copying information, or something that requires letter writting and spelling knowledge, you may want to note that in your description.
    • Safety – Are you working with any tools/materials that may require certain safety standards be met?  Do you need a separate code of conduct for your class for safety?  Woodshop had a separate code of conduct beyond what ECWPA had, because despite an amazing and aware teacher, the fact remained the kids were working with tools that could cause injury beyond needing a bandaid, should unsafe behavior be demonstrated.  Therefore, each child was required to sign an understanding of the rules, and that there was zero tolerance for unsafe behaviors.
    • Co-Teachers- Sometimes it's easier to know exactly who you'd be teaching with.  Or if you know you have travel plans, tagging in a co-teacher from the start who can pick up seamlessly while you're out can help keep things in motion while you're gone.  If you haven't used our forums already, that would be a great place to ask for someone willing to co-teach a class with you.