Whether it is finding a new hobby or learning something new, the UFM Community Learning Center has options.
Linda Teener, director at the UFM Community Learning Center, tells KMAN there are several classes coming up. She says that one class that she is excited for is the upcoming book discussion over the book “How to Be an Anti-Racist”. She mentions that this is a perfect time for this class.
“I think there’s need for somebody just to have some civil discourse around a lot of what’s going on with the protests in the world and in the United States. UFM has always been a place where you could kind of talk about that and talk both sides of an issue in a neutral place where you could just talk about it and learn from the other side,” says Teener.
Teener also mentions another event dealing with women’s suffrage. This class will be held on September 29th at 7PM and falls in line with the 100-year anniversary of the end of women’s suffrage. She speaks more on the presentation that will be given by historian, Diane Eickhoff.
“She’ll be talking on the history of that, the people that were involved in trying to set up suffrage in Kansas. I think it will be very interesting,” says Teener.
She says these are just a few of the classes that are coming up. She says that UFM is always open to new ideas for classes. Teener tells KMAN that the learning center is focused on the idea of “learning local”.
“Too many people are just jumping on the internet and trying to figure out how to do something, and the advantage that we have is that you actually have contact with a real instructor. You can ask live questions to them and sometimes we can even do additional follow ups for you if you need help or assistance,” says Teener.
Teener says UFM is looking for both new class ideas as well as more volunteer instructors. She tells KMAN that becoming an instructor is as simple as getting on their website and sharing your idea.
“What we’re looking for is somebody who has a passion about a topic, something that you really want to share with other people. We will visit with you, maybe you can give us a demonstration of what you’re going to do and how you are going to do it, but we don’t have to have a degree. You just need to know something about your field or your area,” she adds.
Teener mentions that instructors have ranged from 6-years old to 98-years old.
For a full list of events you can visit the UFM website at tryufm.org.
