How NEISD’s ALIR Program is providing lifelong learning opportunities
“Right now, my goal, driver’s license permitting, is to do exactly what I am doing until I am 100, and then I will review the situation.”
Mary Bowman will be 96 years old in May.
Don’t believe her?
She will happily pull out her driver’s license to prove it.
If you ask anyone at North East ISD’s Academy of Learning in Retirement (ALIR), they will tell you, “Mary Bowman is a legend.” She volunteers a couple of hours a week teaching Zen Painting and Calligraphy classes at the NEISD Community Learning Center. She’s been teaching ALIRians for 20 or so years now.
“I believe in sharing. You need a passion. My passion in all this teaching I do is to elevate people. What is your gift to everyone -- to the world and then follow it.”
Bowman found her passion in Japan in the 60s. She spent time learning from Zen painting masters. Since then, she has shared her talents as often as she can. During her Zen painting class on Tuesdays, she shares her expertise as she weaves her way between tables offering pointers and painting philosophy to her students. She comments on the drama created by dark colors, the flow a single painted branch can offer and where students should sign their artwork. Her only goal is to make each of the dozen or so ladies in the class better at Zen painting.
“The connection of this group is wonderful. We are all good to each other. It’s a wonderful atmosphere.”
ALIR offers dozens of classes to anyone over the age of 50.
There are Bowman’s Zen Painting and Calligraphy classes, a very popular mountain dancing class and a couple of classes to help retirees get up to speed on using their computers. Since COVID, ALIR has also created a slate of online classes to serve our community who may not be able to attend in-person classes.
“I listen to podcasts about getting older healthily. You’ve got to keep your mitochondria healthy. You do that by stressing your body a little bit. It’s like training. A little push past the regular to keep your body on edge. Our classes can do that. ALIR has a wonderful future because it meets so many needs.”
And part of that wonderful future will be because of Mary -- if she has anything to say about it.