Paul Boyer, left, a “Learning partner” with DurangoLearns!, teaches an introduction to Italian language course on a recent Monday evening at Durango Space. Boyer will also be teaching a basic digital photography course this spring./Photo by Jennaye Derge

A new twist on the old junto

DurangoLearns! picks up where FLC Continuing Ed left off

by Joy Martin

If you hate learning, don’t read another sentence.  

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” So said Benjamin Franklin, a hands-on kind of guy who needs no introduction. Little did he know that these simple, self-aware statements would set the framework for a constitution that’s alive and well and relevant in modern-times Durango, an unfettered structure known as “continuing education.”

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After attending school for only two years, Franklin spent the rest of his life in search of knowledge through other means. At the age of 21 in 1727, Franklin, who was eager to find a place to share ideas with like-minded individuals, took the concept of the English coffeehouse scene and organized a similar society in Philadelphia called the “Junto.” Described by Franklin as “a club for mutual improvement,” the Junto was originally created for men to enhance their personal learning experiences and in turn advance their communities. From this practice was born not only the public library system but also the propulsion of adult education programs across the country.

Ahead of his time in so many senses, Franklin is thus considered the founding father of continuing education,* that is, education provided for adults after they have left the formal education system, a system that he clearly found boring and unnecessary.

(*Note these cheaper, less time-consuming programs are no substitute for college. Stay in school. Don’t take drugs. The adults are talking here.)  

Nearly 300 years later, these hubs of erudition thrive, running on motivations that span from Hillary, who wants to get that promotion but needs to learn how to speak Spanish first, to Donald, who is looking for a totally new career path. But beyond gaining new skills, like how to use Facebook, there is another underlying current that inspires people today to pursue education after grades don’t matter, the same impetus that got Franklin going with the Junto: the social aspect of learning environments.  

“Learning keeps our brains active, but it’s also another way to meet people and make friends,” says Dr. Barb, founder of Durango’s newest local continuing education program, DurangoLearns! “There’s a real social component to the learning process and some really good energy that stems from learning.”   

When the continuing education programs offered by Fort Lewis College closed in June last year due to economic factors, Dr. Barb saw the silver lining immediately. “I thought ‘Oh my gosh, this is a great opportunity!’” says Dr. Barb. “To me, it seemed like a chance to rebuild this already-great program and change it up a little bit, give it a fresh look. I mean, we could make something really fun and engaging for the whole community.”

With over 16 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Barb – who, like Prince and Cher, prefers to stick with her mononym, but unlike Dr. Seuss or Dr. No, is in fact a real doctor, having earned two masters and a doctorate in business – is up to the task of recreating this community luxury, her resume chockablock full of proficiencies in teaching and faculty training, as well as success in designing learner- and instructor-supported education programs.

Rather than the boring-but-informative method of an instructor teaching at a class, DurangoLearns! features interactive classrooms and discussions similar to a Junto – except women are invited to attend.

One of the most unique aspects of DurangoLearns! is that it’s not fixed to one place.

“We hold classes in many locations, some at DurangoSpace, culinary classes at Manna Soup Teaching Kitchen, photo workshops at Open Shutter, and art classes at the Smiley Building,” says Dr. Barb. “Using different spaces around town helps promote and support other businesses in town.”

So, in the spirit of Franklin, through networking and ambition, this effervescent cheerleader of education gathered a mezcla of friends and colleagues to help launch DurangoLearns! in February.  

“Some people would call it a school because continuing education is typically affiliated with a college but this is a totally new concept,” says Dr. Barb. “This structure is way more relaxing. It’s really just a chance to learn something you always wanted to learn ... DurangoLearns! is a learning community.”

Yes, the exclamation point is part of the name, but it’s so much more than a punctuation mark. That symbol is the driving force behind why Dr. Barb can’t wait to get as many folks engaged in this new learning community as possible. She really is that excited to share the gift of learning that the title of her program requires that extra something!

“Dr. Barb is so enthusiastic,” says Peter Schertz, co-owner of Maria’s Bookshop. “It’s hard to not get involved with her program. You know, she’s basically continuing continuing education.”

The partnership between Maria’s and DurangoLearns! was an easy one, says Schertz, adding that the 30-year-old Main Avenue icon is excited to be a resource for reading suggestions, class materials and space.

On Sat., April 2, Maria’s will host a DurangoLearns! meet-and-greet. The afternoon event presents an opportunity to meet with instructors, called “Learning Partners,” learn more about the program, and get involved, whether as a teacher, student, or both.  

And what is this content, you wonder? Well, the subjects are assorted as the shelves found at Maria’s. That is, every aspect of learning from business technologies to languages, personal enrichment to current affairs, cooking to art, travel writing to how to raise a goldfish (“How to Raise a Goldfish” isn’t really a class – yet).

But language courses are most popular, says Dr. Barb.

Student Rick Quinn, who hopes to someday go back to Italy with his wife and speak the language, says he was trying to learn some Italian on his own but wanted to supplement with a class. “It’s the perfect jumpstart for me,” he says. “Sometimes we taste wine or olive oil, or bring our instruments to practice a couple of songs we’ve learned in Italian.”

Dr. Barb says she would love to add more art classes as well. “And, as the weather gets nicer this summer, I would like to offer more outdoor-kinds-of classes, like nature classes around plants or animals or gardening or composting.”

Which means Dr. Barb is SEEKING ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN TEACHING ANYTHING. And no – this is not a volunteer gig; all Learning Partners are paid employees of DurangoLearns!   

“People have some really interesting skills and talents in our community,” says Dr. Barb. “We’re just providing a way to capitalize on those amazing gifts.”

The current team of Learning Partners at DurangoLearns! comes from all walks of life and boundless fields of expertise; some are former instructors at FLC, while some have never taught anything. Dr. Barb does all she can to see each of her instructors succeed.

“Everyone feels supported when there are opportunities to talk about what they’re teaching or how they’re teaching it,” says Dr. Barb. “We’re always open to ideas for new and different ways and places to present whatever content we’re sharing.”

How does Dr. Barb find these Learning Partners?

“Word of mouth in Durango is very powerful,” says Dr. Barb, adding that most instructors are referrals.

The other way for interested instructors to become a part of DurangoLearns! is through the instructor form on the website, www.DurangoLearns.com. Fill it out, and Dr. Barb will get in touch with you.

“We are open to folks who haven’t taught before,” encourages Dr. Barb. “That’s where my faculty training experience is helpful. I can help them take their content and turn it into an engaging classroom experience.”

Julia Hastings-Black, a culinary arts Learning Partner and author of Cocktails at Dinner and Remixology, says meeting Dr. Barb was fortuitous and timely. The last few years in Durango have kept the 34-year-old focused on the production and working side of food, but recently she’s been wanting to reconnect with the teaching aspect. While at Maria’s promoting Cocktails at Dinner, Dr. Barb approached her and asked if she’d be keen on teaching cooking with DurangoLearns!

“I’m like, ‘Woah! Is this my fairy godmother?’” laughs Hastings-Black, who’s teaching a French-Basics Cooking course March 19. “It was really magical. Now we just need enough people to sign up.”

Classes are typically held during after-work hours in the evenings or on Saturdays. Attendees can check out classes for a fixed rate found on the website or can sign up for an annual $45 membership, which opens doors to discounts on classes, co-working spaces, and at local businesses around town.  

“I just want this to grow,” says Dr. Barb. “You know, put it out there and get people learning and having fun.”

Having fun, after all, was Benjamin Franklin’s middle name. That’s why he never went back to school (or was it because his dad was poor?) and chose instead to apply early one of life’s greatest lessons: follow your passion.  

For more info., go to www.durangolearns.com.