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Business/Work Readiness & Training
English for Life & Work
with Emily Nash

This course is designed to help adults improve their reading, writing, proofreading, editing, and revising to prepare for standardized exams. We cover the basics of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, paragraph development, and will eventually write effective essays with clear ideas, smooth transitions, and logical support. We will practice planning, research, prewriting, and organizing our writing. Learning to proofread for punctuation, usage, content, and support will be emphasized. This is an in-person class with ongoing enrollment through May.
Emily Nash brings many years of experience teaching adult education and has strong skills in designing curriculum to meet the real needs of students. She’s respectful and sensitive to the needs of adult learners and is always a good listening ear. She loves to read, and between stints as an adult education teacher, she is a seasonal professional landscaper. Emily is a student advisor, and teaches English, HiSET prep and Multilingual Learners.
If you would like to learn more about this class call 207.664.7110, or email adultedinfo@ellsworthschools.org for an appointment with a student advisor.
Math Essentials
with Vanessa Richards

Learn basic math like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, percentages, individually or in small groups. We’ll use a hands-on approach to learning math concepts so you can confidently use it in your daily life. This is an in-person class with ongoing enrollment.
Vanessa loves working with adult learners. She is really easy to be around and makes people extremely comfortable; she even makes learning math and computers fun! She is committed to helping adults discover their strengths, build their confidence, and realize they can accomplish their goals. In her free time, she loves to travel and explore the outdoors. Vanessa teaches math, science, technology, and provides college and career advising.
If you would like to learn more about this class call 207.664.7110, or email adultedinfo@ellsworthschools.org for an appointment with a student advisor.
Technology for College & the Workforce (Daytime)
with Vanessa Richards

All jobs these days require a pretty high level of technology skills and knowledge. Our instructors can assist you in reaching your potential with digital literacy so you can confidently apply, interview and demonstrate your skills through experience and certifications, including Northstar, IC3 and other certificate programs. You start with a free and confidential interview and assessment, and then work at your own pace to improve your skills and confidence.
This course is available for open enrollment. You can join anytime.
Please call 664.7110, email adultedinfo@ellsworthschools.org or text 207.613.6460 to make an appointment for you to meet with our student advisor (in person or on ZOOM).
Technology for College & the Workforce (Evening)
with Vanessa Richards

All jobs and educational programs these days require a pretty high level of technology skills and knowledge. Our instructors can assist you in reaching your potential with digital literacy so you can confidently apply, interview and demonstrate your skills through experience and certifications, including Northstar, IC3 and other certificate programs. You start with a free and confidential interview and assessment, and then work at your own pace to improve your skills and confidence with the support of a veteran instructor. This course is available for open enrollment. You can join anytime.
Please call 664.7110, email adultedinfo@ellsworthschools.org or text 207.613.6460 to make an appointment for you to meet with our student advisor (in person or on ZOOM).
AMP Dental Assisting (Feb)
with Academy of Medical Professions

This is a 12-week Certificate program in Dental Assisting, one of the most high-demand careers. The program is designed to teach all aspects of dental assisting and provide you with the skills you need to work in this field and pass a national certificate exam. This program is taught by a dentist and includes Dental Assisting Certification, and an opportunity for internships. We now offer an option for lab days, please ask for more details!
The price of the course includes all books, exam preparation materials and fees for the DANB RHS® certificate program. Upon passing the DANB RHS®, you will receive a certificate of knowledge based on competency for that component from DANB. Payment plans are available. The classroom hours are live online with options for lab days in a dental office based on student's location and availability. This course is also available asynchronosly online and you can start anytime.
Please feel free to download this information sheet about the Academy of Medical Professions Medical Dental Assistant Program, stop by our center in Ellsworth to pick one up, or request that one be mailed to you. It will answer many questions you might have. Don't hesitate to reach out to the Academy of Medical Professions directly after reviewing the information package linked above. Please go to their website for their phone number and to explore all their course offerings.
Ellsworth Adult & Community Education is here to ensure your readiness and success by providing logistical, academic, and social emotional support during this online and in-person experience. We will help you through the enrollment process, provide local support during the course and offer the certification exam locally. Our services are available at no cost to you. If you'd like to schedule an individual appointment with one of our career advisors to learn more, please call 207.664.7110 or email adultedinfo@ellsworthschools.org to schedule a phone, ZOOM or in-person appointment.
Quickbooks: Basic Accounting Principles & Quickbooks Online (Apr)
with Val Landry

During these three sessions, you will learn basic accounting principles and how to apply them to setting up QuickBooks Online for a small business or organization. This is a live, online class using ZOOM.
- Your instructor will assist you in accessing a free year long subscription to Quickbooks Online.
- When you register for the class you'll receive a link to a survey. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey so the instructor can tailor the course for individual learners.
The design of the course is that you'll attend the class and also do 2-3 hours of work with the software between sessions which greatly enhances your learning.
You will receive a link to a brief pre-assessment with your email receipt. This will assist the instructor in meeting your goals for the class.
Val is a lifelong business educator and academic advisor focused on helping enrich and enhance students' educational and life purposes. He is experienced in college management and as an adult educator having taught at Mid-State College and Kennebec Valley Community College. His teaching experience covers over 45 years in the areas of computer applications, accounting, and Quickbooks training workshops.
Microsoft Excel Advanced (Apr)
with Val Landry
Learn how to hide data, split and freeze a window, create ranges, understand the name manager, learn additional functions, copy and paste, sort data, and learn the power of filters. Some examples of using Microsoft Excel as a practical tool include the amortization table, 20 top functions companies want their employees to know, and pivot tables. This is a live online class using ZOOM. Makeup class, if needed, 04/24/25.
The design of this course includes 2-3 hours of work with the software between classes to gain maximum benefit from the sessions.
You will receive a link to a brief pre-assessment with your email receipt. This will assist the instructor in meeting your goals for the class.
You will want to have Microsoft Excel on your computer for this workshop and many people find it helpful to have two monitors, though it is certainly not necessary to benefit from the sessions. There are two ways to accomplish this: 1) attach an external screen to your computer (contact our program if you need technical assistance with that); or 2) using two computers (one for Excel and the other for the ZOOM meeting).
Val is a lifelong business educator and academic advisor focused on helping enrich and enhance students' educational and life purposes. He is experienced in college management and as an adult educator having taught at Mid-State College and Kennebec Valley Community College. His teaching experience covers over 45 years in the areas of computer applications, accounting, and Quickbooks training workshops.
Making the Best First Impression: Invest in Your Customer Service
with Business Leaders

In today’s competitive market, can you afford to not offer the very best customer service?
When customers are pleased with a product or service they may tell one or two others, but when they are dissatisfied you better watch out! One of the main reasons that customers stop doing business is because someone at that business treated them poorly. Offering consistent, friendly customer service is a key to repeat business and customer loyalty. A big step to improving customer service is getting your employees to look at their jobs through the eyes of their customer.
The Ellsworth Adult & Community Education is partnering with the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to offer businesses and individuals an opportunity to enhance their customer service. Trainers will be area employers who focus on quality customer service. Each session will have handouts that can be added to the student’s personal growth file or shared with others in their workplace. A certificate of completion will be awarded to those who successfully complete all four sessions.
- No Class 4/25/2025
- Makeup class, if needed, 05/02/25.
Session I - Friday, March 7, 2025 – First Impressions – The Impact of Attitude and Appearance on Sales and Repeat Business. Participants will discuss positive and negative example of good customer service,
- The importance of attitude – good or bad, both make a lasting impression
- The importance of dress – What is business casual?
Session III - Friday, March 21, 2025– Communication – It’s What You Say AND How You Say It
- Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication – body language can speak louder than words
- Active Listening – taking in what is said and what is not said
- Using the right words – grammar is a reflection on you and your company
- Asking open-ended questions – seeking to fully understand situations
- Know your audience – diverse customers = diverse expectations
Session II - Friday, March 14, 2025 – Effective Problem-Solving and Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Customers,
- How to tell people what they don’t want to hear
- Simple ways to help diffuse anger
- In person and on the telephone – smiles work
Session IV - Friday, March 28 , 2025- The Total Package – Going Above and Beyond
- Taking the extra steps helps ensure customer satisfaction
- Effective problem solving