A New Experience: Out Of Retirement, Resident Now Teaching For Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
WATERBURY — Newtown resident Ted Welsh, a retired Norwalk High School social science and international politics teacher, has been offering courses at the University of Connecticut’s Waterbury location through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).
According to the program’s website, OLLI at UConn offers courses, lectures, and special events for “older adults who want to engage socially and intellectually with their peers as teachers and learners.” Another description says OLLI “is an academic cooperative that provides older adults with opportunities for intellectual development, cultural stimulation and social interaction.
Programming is centered on classes developed and taught by members who volunteer their time to share their knowledge and experience with other members. The OLLI program also sponsors special events featuring noted authors, scholars and experts in respected professional fields.”
After a year of retirement, Mr Welsh said he started “nosing around” for ideas of things to do. A friend pointed him toward OLLI.
This semester Mr Welsh is overseeing two sections of one course, called “Understanding The Arab-Israeli Conflict.” This is the second school year Mr Welsh has taught programs through OLLI, and each of his courses have been different. Mr Welsh chooses the subjects for each of his courses, and is already thinking about what he will offer next, he said.
While Mr Welsh said he enjoyed teaching high school level students, teaching students who have had “a lifetime of paying attention” is a different experience.
“It’s a really interesting group to work with,” said Mr Welsh, adding that most of his current students have interesting backgrounds and offer a range of expertise themselves.
Some of his students have had first-hand experiences to share about the topics he has chosen to teach, Mr Welsh said, adding he did not anticipate that before he began teaching with OLLI.
“They are just so tight with each other,” said Mr Welsh, describing the classroom environment. “They enjoy the program so much.”
The students have also been more appreciative than Mr Welsh expected.
Mr Welsh’s courses have been growing since he began teaching through OLLI. His past courses taught the history of the United Nations and the history of Iraq. His current course, on the Arab-Israeli conflict, is his most popular to date.
“This is one of the areas that means the most to Americans and is understood the least,” Mr Welsh said, adding that he sees his role as teaching how things have “gotten to where they are.”
Later he added, “My big goal is not only to have students understand who the players are, but where it all came from.”
OLLI programs, Mr Welsh said, offer challenges for learners and a range of compelling topics.
According to Brian Chapman, director of OLLI at the University of Connecticut, more than 750 students are enrolled in the OLLI programs this semester. He also explained that OLLI programs work with the concept of lifelong learning and challenging the brain, adding to brain health.
Dr Chapman also said the OLLI programs offer a range of courses, with a relatively low cost. The program is located in Waterbury, according to Dr Chapman, thanks to the generosity of the Leever Foundation, initially, the Bernard Osher Foundation, and William J. Pizzuto, campus CEO.
Information for prospective students is available online at olli.uconn.edu. Free events open to the public, including lectures, are also offered through the program.
The office for OLLI at UConn Waterbury is at 99 East Main Street (Room 103). Information on upcoming events, including three in March, is also available at the website. Additional information is also available by calling 203-236-9924 or sending email to osher@uconn.edu.