Needed: information on giving classes locally

Jack:

I teach at 25 different schools in NY & MA.

When I was getting started in late 1996 I sent letters to 375 different schools asking:

1) Do you have a continuing Ed program?

2) If so, do you have a class like mine?

3) If not, can I teach it?

The responses were:

1) No program

2) Yes we have one, fill out these docs with your qualifications

3) Yes, we have one, sign here!

At that point I had no qualifications so I went with the ones who said sign here!

I had 7 schools that first semester. And after that guess what I had? QUALIFICATIONS!!

Many of the continuing ed directors took my class and provided glowing recommendations which I could then use for the schools who wanted qualifications.

I've worked my way up to 25 different schools who provided adequate attendance twice per year for my one night class. I've discarded some schools along the way for lack of attendance and quite frankly 25 is about the limit. I do 3 or 4 a week during the season.

These numbers include 4 community colleges. The rest are school district continuing education programs and one company similar to the Learning Annex. I do have a B.S. from a 4 year college but no teaching certificate.

By and large they want interesting classes taught by interesting people.

Good luck!

Leo

P.S. The schools do all the promotion in their booklets. A local CBS affiliate is working on a story about people who've had success after taking my class. They came to me on that one.

P.P.S. I try to get the schools to put my phone and email in the booklets because it's great FREE advertising. If they can't come to my class they can contact me directly for more info.

> If you could be so kind as to assist me, I
> want to give informal classes in my local
> area.

> I can't take the time to create the demand,
> so I need a vendor to help facilitate my
> efforts.

> By this I mean I need to find someone who
> can plug my class into an existing structure
> of some kind, and assist me with the room,
> obtaining leads and the like.

> I don't qualify to give classes at the local
> Community College as I don't believe I
> possess the needed teaching certifications.

> Thank you very much for any assistance.

> Cheers!

> Jack Rackham