Acts of kindness - Learning Together - Becoming a Community Teacher

Feeling disconnected this year? maybe looking for a new hobby? Or dealing with the emotional aftermath of 2020? We have something very special for you.

Join us for Acts of Kindness and discover a new way to connect with your local community and neighbours: community teaching!

Share your hobbies, skills and passions with your neighbours via casual workshops. Even if you never thought of teaching or think you have nothing particular to share, trust us: you have! Community teaching is about sharing our passions and not about skill levels or topics.

Do you have a collection of stamps? Garden all the time? Are obsessed with Japanese history? Then you can do community teaching!

Do you have a secret chutney recipe? Write amateur poetry? Or crochet in your spare time? Then you can do community teaching!

Community teaching is about getting involved, keeping your brain sharp and sharing with others. Warning: it’s highly addictive and soon you’ll be thinking: what else can I teach?

In this series of 3 workshops we will go together through the process starting with the kernel of an idea and finish prepared to set up your own workshop. From inspiration and confidence exercises to class plans and structures, teaching online or participation techniques... all delivered in a fun, interactive way for total beginners.

These workshops are free to attend one, two or all three!

1. What: Inspiration - Sharing your passion

Why community teaching? What is lifelong learning? What to teach? Is this for me?

In this first workshop, we will learn a bit more about community teaching, what it is? How it can impact your mental wellbeing and community connection. We will hear stories from other teachers and workshops, build up confidence with engaging exercises and start thinking about topics you could teach about. We’ll learn about brain storming and idea generation. Then we'll start on our class plans

2. How: Structuring and preparing for your workshop

This second workshop will go through all the steps needed to prepare and teach your workshop. Supported by the teacher, with 9 years of experience in community teaching, we will learn the difference in planning demo/ hands on or talk workshops, different structure types, how to plan for materials, engagement and teaching techniques and more

3. How: Delivering and fine tuning your workshop

Finally we will go through several related topics to make your workshop stand up and deliver it with ease and joy. We’ll talk about public speaking, online and offline teaching (Zoom), Lgbtqia+ Inclusivity and accessibility and how to add value to your workshop. Then we’ll end with a few tips to promote your workshop and basic marketing.

Finally you can choose to host your first workshop as part of Moonee Valley City Council “Acts of Kindness” series.