Operating under the aegis of NEISD, ALIR is open to all persons age 50 and older. Courses in the arts, computer, history, languages, literature, and the sciences are offered in a warm and supportive learning environment. ALIR utilizes its members’ wealth of experience and abilities as the principal means of achieving educational stimulation. Emphasis is on volunteerism with members volunteering as instructors, planners, and committee members according to their talents and skills. Because there is no beginning or end to lifelong learning, ALIR has awarded thousands of dollars of college scholarships to NEISD graduating seniors over the past decade. ALIR is a place where members get together to learn, socialize, and exchange views.

A membership fee of $85 payable to the Academy of Learning in Retirement will allow those eligible to take as many courses as they want during a semester.  

After a year of studying, learning, and conversing together online, this summer ALIR will offer some limited, in-person, classroom-based courses at the NEISD Community Education building on Tesoro. This careful re-introduction will happen alongside a robust selection of online (ZOOM) classes, as well. You’ll have a choice this summer! Of course, just as last summer’s transition to ZOOM reflected the reality of a global pandemic, so too will our return to the NEISD building reflect the pandemic’s ongoing presence and our mutual need to stay healthy. Consequently, this catalog of classes available in both settings – in-person and online – is a bit different than past ones; please take the time to read it closely before you register.

 Important Dates for Fall 2021

• Monday, Aug 16 Online payment opens for Fall term; payment required to register
• Monday, Aug 23 Online Registration opens for Fall term classes – ongoing throughout term Tuesday,
• Sept 7 Instructors Meeting – online instructors via ZOOM; campus ones in person
• Wednesday, Sept 8 Orientation for new students – online via ZOOM; campus in person
• Monday, Sept 13 First day of classes (12 weeks and 1st 6 weeks)
• Monday, Oct 25 First day of 2nd 6 weeks classes
• Nov 22 – 26 NO CLASSES – Thanksgiving break
• Friday, Dec 10 End of Fall term

Flexible Fridays (New classes begin every 3 weeks) Flex Friday Session A: 9/17, 9/24, 10/1

• Flex Friday Session B: 10/8, 10/15, 10/22
• Flex Friday Session C: 10/29, 11/5, 11/12
• Flex Friday Session D: 11/19, 12/3, 12/10

Online Training (using a tailored curriculum designed for ALIRians, “All Things ZOOM”)

• Wednesday, Sept 1 1:00 student training; 3:00 instructor training
• Wednesday, Sept 8 1:00 student training; 3:00 instructor training
• Tuesdays, Sept 14, 21, 28 3:00 Help desks for any and all ZOOM-related questions

Sign-up information and details of the ZOOM training sessions will be emailed the week of August 23. Questions? Email Adrien Frank adrienfrank24@gmail.com  or Linda Comeaux Lcomo@aol.com  

Here’s how to register:

We are opening our new, online method for paying ALIR semester fees, for the session that starts classes the week of September 13.  

At the top of the page is the course catalog for the fall semester, with over 80 courses in-person and on Zoom.

You can use the link below to access our secured, encrypted payment site on SignUpGenius.  The site accepts both credit and debit cards for the $85 fee, all but $10 of which goes to NEISD for their facilities and support, including Rhonda.  The fee is the same for in-person and Zoom classes, or for the combination of the two, for any number of classes.  The payment process will ask for your name, phone number, and email address.  The site saves none of your credit or debit card data following the processing of your payment.  

Here is the link to the payment site:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040E4BABA72CA3FB6-alir5 

If you choose not to pay online, you can take a personal check for $85 to the NEISD building, and give it to Rhonda, or mail your fee payment check to ALIR Treasurer Tom Colbourn at 26428 Enchanted Wind, San Antonio, TX 78260.  If you pay at the ALIR building or mail your check, please make sure you include your phone number and email address with your check, since we will use email addresses to send you the SignUpGenius link to register for classes.

Regardless of how you pay, we will include all paid-in-full ALIR members on the Eblast with the class registration link at 8 AM, August 23, when classes open for enrollment.  Instructors, whose fees are waived, will receive the registration link without going through the payment process.

You can pay your fees anytime before classes start on September 13, but classes will be subject to availability, as some may reach capacity.  Paying before registration opens on August 23 will ensure you can register for classes on the first day.  ALIRians paying after registration begins will receive their link to class registration within 24 hours.

Thank you for your interest and dedication to ALIR, and see you in class!