Essays and Thoughts

Your program couldn’t survive without its students. In fact, without students, there’s no reason for your program to exist at all. Their choice to register for classes literally keeps the lights on. With so many cheesy, difficult and expensive student appreciation ideas floating around the internet, what can you do to show students that you value their support? 

You’re already off to a good start by offering quality classes that students need and want. But, if you want to do a little extra you don’t have to break the budget. The key to an effective appreciation campaign is to show students you care about them as individuals. So your efforts don’t have to be expensive or showy. Small, personalized acts can go a long way toward building student loyalty and helping to retain students. Here are six student appreciation ideas to show your students how much you value them. 

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Creativity is the secret to success in any industry, says Maria Brito. She explores this idea in How Creativity Rules the World: The Art and Business of Turning Your Ideas Into Gold. As we read Brito’s insights, we couldn’t help but notice how many of them could apply to arts and community education programs. 

You may think of creativity as an innate trait, or as something that happens in a flash of inspiration. Brito argues the opposite. She says, “creativity is a series of actions that bring about desired results. The operative word is action — creativity eludes those who sit down and wait for it to come.” 

So take your first step toward creativity by reading this article. Inspired by Brito’s new book on creativity, we’ll show you six actions education programs can take to be more creative. Plus, we uncover three core skills you can pass on to your students.

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This pandemic will end. It may not be today or even next month, but the end is coming. Already, some adult, arts, and community education programs have moved back to in-person courses. This shift presents yet another decision point for programs: Should online classes be continued after the pandemic? 

It might seem like online classes were part of your emergency response strategy and a return to business as usual would mean bringing students back into the classroom. Yet, getting back to normal may not be the right goal. Instead of thinking about online vs in person learning, you might consider how each one supports your learners.

Here are five reasons you might want to keep online classes, plus how to decide whether online classes should be continued after the pandemic ends.

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The value of an enrichment class is more than the information gained. It’s more than the skills learned. Sometimes the true value of a class is the experience of taking it, especially if you enroll with someone you love. Learning something together can help people connect and strengthen relationships. It can deepen your mutual respect and improve your understanding. In short, though you signed up to learn how to paint, or ride a motorcycle, or do yoga, the real lesson is the one you learn about each other. 

A few members of the CourseStorm team shared their real-life experience of taking a class with someone they love. Each one of them found opportunities to deepen their relationships and discover something new about their person. Lifelong learning takes on new meaning when you do it together.

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For in-person enrichment programs, the pandemic changed everything. Classrooms, theaters, and workshops fell silent when in-person classes were paused. Organizations scrambled to enable online learning and experimented with HyFlex learning models. Through it all, enrichment programs stayed true to their mission of enriching the lives of children and adults through educational opportunities. 

Now, as we look forward to a post-pandemic world, leaders are applying lessons learned during the crisis to future-proof their programs. We turned to members of the CourseStorm community to gather their insight on what the future of in-person enrichment may look like.

All agree that in-person enrichment classes are too valuable to lose, but remote learning can help meet student needs as well. Like improv performers, administrators of community education programs have learned to say, “Yes, and…” As in, “Yes, we will have in-person classes again, and asynchronous, hybrid, and HyFlex learning options, too.” 

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Update: SVOG applications open April 8, 2021. The SBA has provided a sign up form for access to the electronic application. 

The SBA is hosting a webinar 2:30 to 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 to review the application process. To participate, register here by March 24th.

If your organization is a live venue, performing arts organization, cultural institution, theatre, or make your living as a live venue promoter or talent representative, you may be eligible for an upcoming federal Shuttered Venue Operator Grant. The SBA has provided a preliminary application checklist.

The Small Business Administration will allocate and distribute $15 billion through the Shuttered Venue Operator Grant (SVOG) program to eligible persons and entities who experienced at least a 25% drop in revenue. Up to $10 million may be granted to an entity. You do not need to repay these federal grants. Interested parties may also wish to consult the SBA SVOG FAQ.

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UPDATE: SBA is currently offering PPP loans until May 31, 2021.

The SBA also has announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022.

Most organizations offering in-person educational classes and workshops have been affected by the pandemic. While many organizations have increased their online opportunities and have worked hard to provide in-person experiences as local rules allow, it’s still been a hard year.

Fortunately, some organizations may find financial relief available as part of recent COVID relief legislation.

Many educational providers are considered small businesses, and we encourage such organizations to look into these programs. Additionally, eligibility for the PPP has been expanded to include 501(c)(6) organizations, so you may be eligible now even if you were not during the first round. At least $25 billion is being set aside for Second Draw PPP Loans to eligible borrowers with a maximum of 10 employees or for loans of $250,000 or less to eligible borrowers in low- or moderate-income neighborhoods.

While funds are not as scarce as in early rollouts of these programs, if you are eligible it is recommended that you apply as soon as possible. 

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We’re halfway through a transformational year — people from all walks of life have experienced radical changes in their lives, including their work lives. We’ve been following trending workforce classes reading about the workforce’s changing needs as we start the curve into 2021.

It makes sense that many people are looking to add skills that make them more valuable in the workforce. The Strada Center for Consumer Insights reports that 65% of surveyed workers expressed interest in education to provide them with more skills in their current career field, support a new career path, or pursue a personal interest. Based on our research (and in no particular order) here are nine in-demand workforce training topics that will be needed well into the future.

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To Our CourseStorm Community,

The events of the last several weeks have deeply saddened us at CourseStorm, and we stand in solidarity with the Black community in being outraged at systemic, ongoing abuses of power. We have taken time to gather, reflect, and discuss how our team can be part of creating a more just future for all. We understand that we need to start by recognizing our own privileges and how we have benefitted from racism, as well as our responsibility to undo it. 

As a company with a mission to streamline access to education, we firmly believe that education is vital to a more socially just world. While refusing to be silent is an important first step, we also recognize that it is more important to take meaningful action. Our commitment will not only be in words but in actions as well. 

With that in mind, we are committed to:

• Amplifying the educational opportunities offered by our customers who, through their organizations and classes, are working for social justice.
• Financially supporting organizations and individual classes that address systemic racism and work to end discrimination in all its forms.
• Annual training for our staff to recognize and combat discrimination, and strengthening our company anti-discrimination policy.
• Actively recruiting to build a diverse staff, advisors, and board.

We recognize that these steps at CourseStorm are simply a beginning and that we have a long way to travel. We are committed to continuing this work, and I believe firmly that through our actions, we can and will make a difference.

Brian

Brian Rahill is CEO and Cofounder of CourseStorm.

As of April 21, 2020, the Senate passed a bill providing an additional $310 billion in funding to restart and expand an emergency small-business loan program. This bill still needs to be passed by the House of Representatives and signed by the President. However, it is anticipated that funding could be available by the end of this week.

These additional funds will expand the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). Many educational providers are considered small businesses, and we urge you to look into applying.

If you are eligible, it is recommended that you apply as soon as possible. Funds are expected to be fully dispersed quickly and are being given on a first-come-first-served basis.

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