Education

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 7 Earn a diploma on campus or onlinE in one year or less! 204.775.8175 • herzing.ca/winnipeg Ever been told you should write a book after sharing a family story? The Louis Riel School Division's (LRSD) Continuing Education department can help turn that dream into a reality. Carmelo Militano will be teaching a new creative non-fiction class for the division this winter. Militano began his writing career as a freelance journalist and broadcaster for CBC Radio One in Winnipeg. He's currently a poet, writer, editor, teacher and radio broadcaster. Militano's poetry won the F.G. Bressani award and he hosts a weekly poetry show on CKUW FM 95.9. "This creative non-fiction class is perfect for people who might want to write about a special moment, a life-changing event or their family history," says Jan Laidlaw, LRSD's continuing education facilitator. "He teaches students how to write non-fiction using the same techniques found in fiction. It's a supportive learning environment. His classes are quite popular." Militano will also teach a basic creative writing class for the division this winter. For those who'd rather use images to express themselves, the division has a variety of step-by-step classes in drawing and acrylic painting. Gino Mazzei, who received his Masters of Fine Arts in Florence, teaches the art classes. "He teaches his students the basic techniques, and people really enjoy his approach," Laidlaw says. The school division's moccasin and mukluk classes continue to be wildly popular, and Laidlaw says one of the reasons is the instructor. "The instructor is very hands-on and personable, and she's very open to people bringing their own designs." Students will learn how to make and design their own moccasins or mukluks and do their own beading. No two pairs of moccasins or mukluks created in the class are alike. Another arts-and-crafts offering that continues to grow in popularity is glass fusing. "People learn how to work with different types of glass and glass paints. This art form is quite inexpensive and really popular," says Laidlaw, adding that students can choose between making a candle holder or a hanging spring-flower plaque. The division always offers new cooking classes each season. Laidlaw predicts students will love the Quick and Easy International Soup class, which shares soup- making techniques and recipes from China, Vietnam, Africa, Turkey and India. "This class is perfect for cold days. The same instructor also has a class on curries from all over the world," she says. "These are hands- on classes. Students get the recipes and leftovers to take home — they need to bring takeout containers to class." A new workshop in Mexican cuisine will be offered in March, but it won't involve nachos or fast food-style tacos. "This class will feature dishes from all over Mexico. It's fresh and healthy food. Our instructor will be teaching the students how to prepare traditional regional dishes — not the Tex-Mex people may be used to," Laidlaw says. The division's Tapas and Mezes class is perfect for those who love to entertain at home. "Tapas and mezes are a group of little dishes you can combine to make really great social meals," says Laidlaw. Those in need of professional development courses will not be disappointed. The school division offers a wide range — everything from medical terminology to commercial drones. "The new course in medical terminology is for people who want to work in a medical office or hospital. It gives them a real leg up," Laidlaw explains. This 60-hour course will take place one night a week from January until May. A new course on the stock market is designed to help people understand different investment options, along with the pros and cons of the market. "It looks at the past, present and what might happen in the future," says Laidlaw. "It helps people build a financial strategy and gives them a foundation for investing in the stock market." Flying Drones in Industry is a 78- hour course that will help students meet Transportation Canada regulations for commercial drones. "Drones are now being used in many different industries. This course gives people all the background they need in order to get their certificate," Laidlaw says. "They can receive their certificate at the end of the program and get their licence from Transportation Canada." This is just a small sample of the courses available through LRSD. Registration opened on Dec. 1 for classes taking place in January until March. To find out more or to register, see their website at lrsdconed.net or call 204-237-8130. ❚ LOUIS RIEL SCHOOL DIVISION FALL 2016 BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS By Holli Moncrieff for the Free Press Louis Riel School Division's Continuing Education department offers classes increative non-fiction, drawing and acrylic painting and international cuisine. Above: Students take part in a Louis Riel School Division Continuing Education moccasin and mukluk class. Photo by Darcy Finley

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