ALIR students share new skills at spring showcase
Retirement often comes with an abundance of free time. Former educator Nancy Black is filling her days with a variety of classes at North East ISD’s Academy of Learning in Retirement (ALIR).
“I retired from North East ISD in 2009 and finally had time to do some of the things that I wanted to do, which was art and watercolor in particular,” said Black. “I keep coming back each semester for something. I’ve taken watercolor consistently, brush painting, and I’ve enjoyed some of the Texas history classes that have been offered.”
ALIR members showed off some of their new skills at NEISD’s Community Learning Center (CLC) on Wednesday, April 24. Watercolor paintings, custom quilts, line dancing, memoir writing and playing the ukulele were just a few of the talents on display. ALIR provides a variety of classes to students aged 55 and older through fall, spring and summer semesters. More than 650 student members are enrolled in 90 classes taught by volunteer instructors who teach courses on ancient cultures, genealogy, technology, literature, music and more.
“We’ve had some former science teachers who have offered very interesting classes on genetics and it’s just fascinating,” said Black. “My husband is into most of the dancing classes, he enjoys those and the political science and Spanish language classes. There’s something for everyone and it’s very enriching.”
ALIR offers lifetime learners a productive place to build relationships and fill their days with new challenges, hobbies, and experiences, which retirees like Nancy Black are grateful for.
“Once you’re retired, from the time you wake up until you go to bed you can put as many things in your schedule as you care too,” said Black. “A lot of us are perpetual learners so having the opportunity to learn something new and keep that kind of inquiry going and to relate to other people who are sort of in the same situation is great.”
Posted on 4-24-19