Explore, Create, and Connect: OPCE’s Top Courses

The Office of Professional and Continuing Education (OPCE) offers many learning opportunities for the public. Three of the premier course offerings are the Pottery, Photography and Basic Handgun Safety classes.

These classes are very different in subject, but all three create spaces for connecting.

Pottery

According to coordinator and recent participant Margaret Cunningham, “the quality” of the studio offerings for the pottery class initially intrigued her.

Cunningham’s daughter was struggling with adjusting to adulthood after graduating from Auburn, so she took this class with her in hopes of lifting her daughter’s spirits.

What started as a motherly gesture quickly became a longtime hobby. “I’ve actually been taking it for nine years… I love it!” she exclaimed.

“I drive an hour over there and an hour back; that kind of tells you how much I enjoy this class,” Cunningham elaborated.

Pottery class begins with learning the proper method for centering clay to ensure the clay spins evenly. It is followed by instruction on molding the material and preparing the object before firing it.

After the pottery is bisque fired, it is glazed and fired a final time.

Cunningham’s favorite resource the class offers is “the ability to use the cone 10.” “It has beautiful glazes,” she said.

However, “what’s more important is the community.” “I have met a lot of people I still have good friendships with.”

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Photography

Photography teacher Joe Rhodenizer expressed a similar sentiment. In his class “the interaction is awesome.”

“I like that when I come in, I can ask pretty much any questions I have,” student Brenden Edge confirmed. “It’s a very open class.”

Students are assigned weekly projects and are invited to discuss their photographs with the instructor and “he can tell you how to do literally everything,” Edge exclaimed.

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Handgun Safety

According to class coordinator Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, one of the most important things the Basic Handgun Safety course does for the Lee County community is helping people “understand what it takes to be safe.”

The class begins with instruction on laws and safety and also helps students choose the proper gun and practice firing.

Knowing how to operate a firearm is a useful skill, but Jones emphasized the importance of “understanding law.”

A gun without proper training and knowledge can be dangerous, so “providing safe methods of handling a firearm” is what the class aims to teach.

The course empowers students by training safe handling, proper operation, and providing information on laws regarding defending persons and property.

Handgun safety is key to responsible gun ownership. Whether you’re a novice, never having handled a firearm before and want to learn more about gun ownership, or you are an experienced marksman wanting to hone your knowledge, the Handgun Safety class has you covered.

The class begins with an overview and discussion of the firearms safety rules. Sheriff Jones and instructor David George also show students how firearms operate, how to properly hold them with the emphasis staying on safety, and how to clean their handguns. “Our goal is to provide students the information they need to safely operate and maintain a handgun.” States Sheriff Jones. “With firearms ownership comes responsibilities. This class provides a basic overview of what those are as it applies to handling and securing a firearm.”

The laws concerning owning a firearm, carrying it, and using it in defending persons and property are reviewed and discussed in detail. Students have an opportunity to use the Lee County Sheriffs’ simulation room where they are presented with various scenarios law enforcement officers encounter on a regular basis. This gives students the opportunity to see how they would respond in a similar situation.

A highlight of the class is the time spent on the firing range where students can put into practice what they have learned in the course and become familiar with safely operating a firearm. Several instructors are present on the range to assist as needed and ensure the safety of all present.

If students are interested in purchasing a firearm, Sheriff Jones and David George will assist them in choosing the best firearm for their needs.

When firearms are handled by individuals who lack training in safe operation, dangerous conditions are the result. This course empowers students with the knowledge necessary to be safe and responsible firearms owners.

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OPCE provides a wide range of programs for the public that promote learning and “… the human touch...”

For more information on the courses listed above and other OPCE educational opportunities please visit the course listing webpage for more information.