Access At CVUHS

If you are planning to travel to any Spanish speaking country in the future, and you need to boost your Spanish skills this class is for you! Dunia Partilo, native Spanish teacher, invites you to continue learning Spanish through practicing more complex grammar and vocabulary. If you have some Spanish knowledge or have taken Beginners Spanish, this class is for you! In this 12-session course, students will need to purchase prior to the start of class, the practice workbook Practical Spanish Grammar. Dunia will assign additional fun activities, and you will learn interesting cultural facts as well as engage in discussions and conversation as the course progresses. Not sure if you are ready for this class? Dunia will be happy to speak with you prior to registration. Please let us know so we can connect you! Note: The first 6-sessions will be held virtually online. The last 6 classes will be in-person at CVU. "Dunia provided excellent instruction guided by a workbook, handouts, and videos! She supplemented class by showing us cultural events in Barcelona , her hometown, which were fun to learn about. Plenty of time for questions and small group discussions!" - Student

Tap into your inner artist and try a new style of painting using acrylic paint and wood as a canvas! During this 3 -session course, Fia will teach you the basic properties of acrylic painting and color application. 9'-12' Wood rounds will be used as the canvas for this project. This makes a great image to display or hang indoors or outside as a welcome sign. All materials are included in the fee. Please bring a box or container to transport your painting each session. Wear clothing that may get dirty, and feel free to bring a non-alcoholic beverage! or snacks to class. No previous art experience necessary. All levels welcomed! Minimum age: 16+

As the season moves from winter to spring, Vermonters begin to think about flowers and Vermont stitchers begin to think about including flowers into various needlework projects. This class will introduce stitchers to a variety of surface embroidery stitches that are ideal for creating flowers and leaves. During this 4-week class, stitchers will be introduced to: long-short, whipped spider, tulip, woven spider, woven wheel, double blanket, leaf, and fishbone stitches. There will be ample opportunity for developing embroidery skills and having fun embroidering flowers and leaves into a sampler. This course is designed for students (12 years or older) who have basic surface embroidery needle skills; including running, lazy daisy, outline, satin and cross stitches. Stitchers should bring a 7-inch or smaller embroidery hoop and scissors to the first class.

Celebrate your Irish heritage, or have fun learning about a different culture and learn an Irish jig in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Irish dance is for everyone! Learn a ceili dance and a reel with champion Irish dancer, Fiadhnait Moser-Hardy. No dance experience necessary. Bring a water bottle and wear moveable clothing and sneakers. Open to children and adults ages 10+ (children must be accompanied by an adult).

Ever wondered what it really takes to create a flawless wedding or unforgettable event? This course pulls back the curtain on the world of hospitality, event planning, and client service. Whether you’re dreaming of working in hotels, event venues, or launching your own creative business, you’ll learn the mindset and skills needed to stand out in a fast-paced, relationship-driven industry. Taught by Jaclyn Watson, a 16-year veteran luxury wedding planner and President of the Vermont Association of Wedding Professionals, this class goes beyond logistics to focus on the heart of hospitality—how to read your clients, communicate under pressure, and deliver exceptional experiences with confidence, creativity, and grace. You’ll walk away with real-world insight, pro tips, and an understanding of what it takes to thrive in one of the most rewarding (and challenging) industries out there. By the end of this class, participants will: Understand the core principles of hospitality and how they apply across weddings, hotels, and client-facing roles. Learn practical communication strategies for working with clients, vendors, and teams. Discover what it takes to manage events from start to finish—with professionalism, flexibility, and empathy. Explore the behind-the-scenes realities of the wedding and events industry (and how to build a career within it). Gain confidence in delivering exceptional service that creates memorable, lasting impressions. This class will meet online via Zoom. An invite will be sent out a day or two before the course starts.

Join us for a hands-on workshop where you'll discover how to identify the trees that make up our local landscape. Through interactive lessons and field-tested techniques, you'll gain the skills to confidently recognize and differentiate a wide variety of native tree species. This class will meet inside CVU to start and then move outside. Please dress appropriately for the weather, as the class will take place outside CVU and may involve walking over some muddy and uneven ground. This class will meet rain or shine. "Jacob is so full of information, he is bursting at the seams." "Excellent class, absolutely love Jacob’s lectures! My husband and I look forward to them all month."

Come learn the basics of pen turning with professional wood turner Andrew Duling. Pen turning is an excellent introduction to lathe work. It’s a quick, fulfilling, and inexpensive way to go from wood to finished product. Bring home turned pens you can cherish for years or give as a gifts. Each student will complete turning of one pen, with the option of turning an additional pen as time allows. Open to all ages 16+, students 12-16 welcome with an adult chaperone. All experience levels welcome! No prior woodworking experience required. All materials and use of equipment included in the fee. Bring safety eye goggles and wear closed toed shoes. No loose clothing! Wear your hair tied back or wear a hat.

Come learn the basics of turning and make a rolling pin with professional wood turner Andrew Duling. This is an excellent introduction to lathe work. Choose your wood and learn the basics to complete a beautiful and functional keepsake. Bring home an individualized rolling pin you can cherish for years, or give as a gift to an avid baker! Each student will complete turning of one rolling pin. Designs such as a tapered French or a handled rolling pin will be discussed at the start of class. No prior woodworking experience required and all experience levels welcome! All materials and use of equipment included in the fee. Bring safety eye goggles and wear closed toed shoes. No loose clothing! Wear your hair tied back or wear a hat. Open to all ages 16+. Rolling Pin Success- Spring 2025

Join professional woodturner Andrew Duling for this popular, hands-on workshop and create your first hardwood bowl from start to finish. In this two-session class, each participant will receive a hardwood blank and have access to their own lathe, allowing for plenty of guided practice and individual instruction. Students will learn essential lathe safety, proper tool use, and the basic properties of wood while transforming a rough blank into a beautifully finished bowl—often more than one. This workshop is designed to build skills, confidence, and a strong foundation for anyone interested in pursuing woodturning as a new hobby, or would just like to make a bowl to proudly use, display or gift. All materials and equipment are included in the course fee. Max 6 per class. Enroll early to reserve your lathe! Please bring: safety eye goggles. Wear closed-toe shoes, avoid loose clothing, and tie back long hair or wear a hat. Watch the life of a wooden bowl turner...https://youtu.be/B4or0amjL2w "Andy is very knowledgeable and incredibly patient with students. He is a great instructor!" "Very knowledgeable teacher and very patient, great at explaining, cannot say enough how good he was!"

Learn to prepare bánh xèo, a crispy Vietnamese crêpe made with rice flour and coconut milk, lightly tinted with turmeric for its signature color and aroma. The crêpe is filled with marinated shrimp and pork, then served with an abundance of fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs for wrapping and dipping. We’ll finish the meal with a refreshing Vietnamese dessert featuring fruit cocktail and ice—a light, cooling finale that perfectly welcomes the spring season. This is a participatory cooking class. A small group of 3-4 students will work together at each cooking station to complete the recipe on the night's menu. "Evelyn is an amazing instructor. She’s passionate about food from her native country and excited to share her knowledge."

Gain a clear understanding of how wills, trusts, and the probate process work in everyday life. Taught by a retired attorney, Paul Morwood, this course will explain key estate planning concepts in accessible terms—what each document does, when to use them, and how to avoid common mistakes. Participants will learn how assets are managed and transferred, what happens during probate, and the importance of proper planning to ensure your wishes are honored. Ideal for anyone looking to make informed decisions about their personal or family estate plans. Learn how to protect your assets, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure your wishes are carried out. Whether you’re just getting started or reviewing existing plans, this presentation with Q&A offers practical guidance. This course is offered by donation. Your donation to community education helps sustain, grow, and improve our program. Your kind contribution keeps class fees affordable and accessible to all. Thank you!

This hands-on technical course is designed for all levels — whether you’re brand new to welding, looking to sharpen your skills, or simply want access to a fully equipped welding shop. For those with little or no experience, instruction will cover welding of carbon steel using: Oxy-Acetylene torches SMAW (Arc or Stick Welding) GMAW (MIG or Wirefeed Welding) GTAW (TIG Welding) You’ll also be introduced to Oxy-Fuel and Plasma Cutting techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to complete a small personal project during the course. All equipment and consumable materials are included in the registration fee. For those with prior experience, instruction can be tailored to individual goals, including welding of stainless steel and aluminum, or time to work independently on personal projects during open studio hours. All levels are welcome to use the welding shop as an open studio with supervision for personal projects or to receive individualized instruction to build skills and confidence. Requirements & Recommendations: Participants must wear safety-toe leather boots, cotton pants, and long-sleeved cotton shirts (turtlenecks are recommended). Clothing should be free of holes or frays. Students are encouraged to bring their own PPE (safety glasses, ear plugs, welder’s cap). PPE can be purchased locally at Haun Welding Supply or Airgas in Williston, VT—mention you’re taking an ACCESS class for 10% off! (CVU’s shop has loaner PPE available, though fit and condition may vary.) Minimum Age: 16+ "The welding class was terrific, and the instructor Wes was truly passionate about his craft. I went into the session knowing nothing, and walked out five courses later having learned four different welding styles, and I even completed a couple of projects on my own. I'll definitely be continuing this adventure." "Wes was very detailed in his explanation and demonstration of welding techniques. By the second class we were all practicing welding with one on one instruction from Wes. I feel confident enough to tackle a welding job after taking this course."- Brian

Just a few steps outside your door lies a world of plants waiting to be discovered! Kelley Robie, of Horsetail Herbs, will guide you on this introduction to identifying common and abundant “weeds” that make some of our very best wild foods and medicines. Here in Vermont, for at least half of the year, we can find dozens of nutritious and healing plants to incorporate into our meals! We will identify local plant species, discuss parts of the plants used, when to harvest them and even do some taste-testing. You will go home with wild food recipes and a new appreciation for Vermont’s local wild plants. Local eating at its best, both fresh and free! This class will meet inside CVU, before moving outside. In the case of extreme weather, the class may move to a rain date of June 4th. "Kelly opened my eyes to a whole new world just outside my doorstep."

Perhaps you've tried needle felting, but have you heard of wet felting? Did you know you can felt by hand with wool, water and some patience? No needles required. ;) Come learn the ins and outs of wet felting with AnnMarie as you make a felted soap (or two) to take home. Wool roving, soap, and felting materials will be provided. No experience necessary. Ages 14 and up. Students aged 8-13 are welcome with a caregiver who should also register for the class.

Fairies, witches, selkies, and gnomes—let’s tell a story of legends that will be passed down through generations! Led by published folklore author and writing professor, Fiadhnait Moser-Hardy, MFA, this class will explore folktales from around the world. We will examine oral storytelling traditions, modern folktale retelling techniques, and elements of literary craft. You will learn about folk creatures, mythological plot structures, and world building techniques. Then, you will draw inspiration from a folktale of your choice to retell in your own way. Leave this online course with the confidence and knowledge needed to write and publish your own folklore tale! Bring a story you’ve been working on or write the beginning of one throughout the course for full instructional benefit. Open to teens and adults.

Storytelling for children and young adults is about change—celebrating it, grieving it, and growing with it. In this course, you will learn about the children’s and young adult publishing market, from picture books to middle grade novels to young adult novels. Working closely with published children’s author and writing and children’s literature professor, Fiadhnait Moser-Hardy, MFA, you will learn about what makes a book for young people engaging and meaningful. You will write and revise a picture book or a section of a middle grade or young adult novel throughout these 5, 2 hour sessions. Leave this course with the confidence and knowledge needed to write and publish your story! Bring a story you’ve been working on or write the beginning of one throughout the course for full instructional benefit. Open to teens and adults.

Join us for an introduction to the art and practice of the style of Tai Chi Chuan made famous by the Yang family. Strengthen the core, and improve balance and presence of mind. All levels of experience are welcomed!