Educational and Vocational Services

For more information, call us at 563-264-3278 or go to our contact page.

GED

General Education Diploma. 

Money Management

Goal-setting, budgeting, savings, discussing money with family members, costs of eating out, catalog shopping, costs of rent-to-own purchases, costs of credit purchases, money management plans, using advertisements for price comparisons, recording of expenditures, record keeping, filing of records, and organizing receipts.

Computer/Internet

Learn computer literacy through hands-on practice. Learn computer basics and use the computer to facilitate learning. Learn to enhance learning trough the Internet. Learn about resources for getting free or low-cost refurbished computers, low-cost Internet service, free Internet computer classes and free computer programs and resources on the internet. Classes develop a wide range of skills and explore computer uses.

Creative Writing/Personal Expressions

Creative writing is writing designed to express thoughts, feelings and emotions rather than to simply convey information. In this class, we experience the fun and enjoyment of communicating and expressing personal thoughts; we experience the healing power of expressing emotion. We learn that emotional expression helps to develop emotional health.

Enrichment

Speakers, experiences, resources to embellish and complement the regular program.

Exercise

Exercise class helps people feel good, rev up energy levels and improve moods. It helps people sleep better. It can also help some people who have mild depression and low self-esteem. Exercise can give people a real sense of accomplishment and pride at having achieved a certain goal. Exercise helps people lose weight and lower the risk of some diseases.

Healthy Choices

This class focuses on methods to improve self care, manage stress, and plan ahead to reduce stress. We will also focus on finding happiness, developing self-esteem, dealing with negative feelings, and becoming the person you want to be. We will tackle ways to build healthy relationships, develop a happy marriage, create healthy boundaries, get along with others, deal with difficult people, set priorities, and achieve personal goals. A specific emphasis will be placed on job seeking skills, women’s issues, parenting difficult children, being the best parent, dealing with grief, tools to manage depression, and reducing anxiety.

Homemaker Skills

Preparing regular low-budget nutritious meals, meal preparation, baking, cooking, shopping, reading labels, checking receipts, setting the table, learning to use coupons, comparing prices, and housekeeping tips.

Parenting

This class will cover newborn/infant care, baby safety, ages and stages, tantrums, family rules, time-outs, discipline, choices and consequences, communication and stimulation, spoiling your child, verbal and physical redirection, handling stress and anger, managing behavior, criticism and confrontation, problem solving and decision making, improving children’s self-esteem, sibling rivalry.

Workplace Essentials

In this class we will focus on setting goals, self-awareness, anger control, positive thinking, and building self-esteem. We will also work on the following: self-management, building trust, problem solving, time-management, listening skills, positive attitude, assertiveness, team building, conflict resolution, networking, work place skills of dress, dependability, rules and expectations, cultural sensitivity, relationships, difficult co-workers, handling gossip, appropriate language, workplace behavior, and setting priorities.

Instructors for various sessions...

Unity Healthcare, Iowa State Extension offic in Muscatine, Muscatine Community College, University of Iowa college students, teachers from the Muscatine School district, volunteers, MCSA staff, and former residents.