Teach

Suggestions for Teachers

Many Free Skool teachers are just regular people organizing classes or events for the first time. We know that can be intimidating, but we are here to help! However, IT IS THE TEACHER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PLAN THEIR CLASS AND ADVERTISE FOR IT, each month there are two main Free Skool organizers who are happy to speak or meet with new and experienced teachers alike to give advice and support. You can find their contact info on the home page of this WordPress, the printed calendar, or by e-mailing slcalwayslearning@gmail.com. The following are some of the tried and true suggestions for making your class a success (whatever that means to you!)

Planning Your Class or Event

• Get involved – Attend some classes or the monthly Free Skool Calendar Release Potluck; volunteer to help organize for the Free Skool or co-teach a class or workshop with more experienced teachers. This way you meet other Free Skoolers, see how things function, get ideas and make connections for teaching your own class.
• Think about class date and time – Consider other community and calendar events when scheduling yours to avoid conflicts and maximize attendance. Ask friends, other Free Skoolers, or Free Skool organizers for advice on dates and times.
• Plan your class with a friend, or two, or three! More teachers mean more support and contacts and therefore more people who will know about your class. And if no one shows up, you still have friends to hang with!
• Choose a location – Some possibilities include your home, a park, a public library (you can even reserve a private room), a coffee shop, or the Boing! Anarchist Collective (speak to an organizer to schedule there). Most Free Skool locations are currently in the downtown SLC area.
• Materials – If you buy materials for your class it is okay to ask attendees for voluntary donations or to bring a specific amount of money to cover the cost. Be very clear about that in your class description if you plan to do so.

Spreading the Word

• Make flyers for your class – Give them to friends, pass them out at other Free Skool events, post them around town (coffee shops and the Boing! Anarchist Collective’s front door, are examples), share them via social media (we have a Facebook and Instagram account you can use). Remember to include a contact!
• Send reminders – People are busy and sometimes a little forgetful, so reminders the day before or day of are often much appreciated and help with attendance. You can do this via social media or text message. Free Skool organizers can help by forwarding text messages to Free Skool regulars, just ask them.

Reflect and Share

• Your experience could help in the future – Is there something that worked really well for you in planning or teaching a class? Something that didn’t work at all? Spend some time reflecting on your experience, validate the positives, consider changes for next time and share ideas with other teachers and organizers to make Free Skool more vibrant and sustainable.