By Kathy L. Collins
If you want to make a meaningful new year’s resolution, one that will have a lasting effect that will also leave a legacy for your children and grandchildren, then make a resolution to enroll in “Write Your Life Story.”
“Write Your Life Story” is an eight week non-credit course offered every Friday from 10 a.m. to Noon. The courses begin on Friday, January 17 and run through Friday, March 14. The classes are offered by the Hillsborough Community College (HCC) Lifelong Learning Division. The classes take place at the HCC Ruskin campus located at 5512 24th St. North East in Ruskin.
No prior writing experience is necessary to take part in this exciting course. However, each student must have access to a computer. The classes are taught by long time writer and educator, Joan Shalleck.
Shalleck has been teaching “Write Your Life Story” to a variety of students in the SouthShore area for ten years. Shalleck has a unique style and is able to teach people who have never written anything more complex than a letter how to preserve their history and past in writing.
“I have a firm belief that everyone has a unique story to tell. I teach people how to put their past on paper using simple literary devices,” said Shalleck. “We will focus on childhood, education, career and yes, romantic experiences that have shaped the person you’ve become,” added Shalleck.
Classes are kept small, so you must register in advance. In addition, students are asked to sign a pledge of confidentiality. This is done so that everyone will feel comfortable openly discussing their personal history in class.
Shalleck has a degree in Elementary Education. She started teaching at USF’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute before she moved to HCC’s Lifelong Learning Division.
For more information and to get details on this popular course, please call HCC Lifelong Learning line at 259-6010.
