Busy night? Skip the takeout—make pizza your easiest meal of the week. In this hands-on class, with step-by-step guidance, you’ll learn how to prepare and freeze homemade pizzas for quick, healthy, affordable, stress-free dinners anytime. We’ll make fresh freezer-friendly pizza dough use it to prepare the crusts, and go through the process required for toping freezing, storage, and baking so they bake up perfectly from frozen each and every time. Important pro-tips for freezer friendly dough and toppings will also be shared. You’ll also learn how to prepare a fast no-knead pizza—an easy mix-and-bake method that comes together in under an hour from start to finish. With make-ahead tips, and ready-to-go ingredient ideas, you’ll leave with practical ways to save time and money, eat healthier, and always have a delicious meal within reach. As always recipes used are Chef Tess originals intended to make the experience simple and flavorful each and every time.Equipment Needs: Stand mixer, and 12-inch disposable aluminum pizza pans. While cooking-along is loads of fun, and highly recommended, it is optional. This class will take place on Zoom, free online software. Participants will receive instructions on how to access the class prior to it starting. A list of ingredients and class details will be received in advance of the class with enough time for shopping and preparation. The Instructor’s Personal Recipe from this class will be included in a professionally made PDF packet to be received by participants after the class. NOTE: The instructor’s recipes are copyrighted and are only shared with those who register for this class. As an added bonus, the instructor has created a private group and a public group on Facebook for participants of her cooking classes. Everyone will receive an invite to the groups although joining is optional. Come join the fun! Note: One registration fee for this online virtual interactive class can include immediate family members living full-time in the same home ONLY. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. If friends, adult children, or extended family members are gathering for a fun night together, EACH household must register SEPARATELY even if participating together.

Join us for a special one-time ECFE class focused on celebrating family connections! Families will enjoy engaging activities, creative play, and meaningful moments together while exploring ways to strengthen relationships at home. This fun and welcoming class gives parents and children the opportunity to learn, laugh, and connect with one another and other families in the community.

Explore life on the farm through stories, songs, sensory play, and hands-on activities! Children and caregivers will learn about farm animals, tractors, crops, and where food comes from while enjoying fun together.

Harvest Fun is a seasonal ECFE class for young children and their caregivers that explores the themes and changes of fall. Through play, stories, songs, and hands-on activities, children build early learning skills while families enjoy time together in a supportive setting.

Explore the colorful world of leaves with your child in this hands-on ECFE class! Together, we’ll discover different shapes, sizes, and colors of leaves through stories, songs, art, sensory play, and simple science activities. Children will practice observing nature while building early learning skills, and parents will enjoy meaningful time connecting and learning alongside their child. Dress for mess and come ready to explore the beauty of the season!

Nature Is Neat is a hands-on ECFE class for children ages 2–5 and their caregivers to explore the wonders of the natural world together. Through stories, sensory play, art, music, outdoor discovery, and simple science activities, families will learn about animals, plants, seasons, weather, and the world around them. This class encourages curiosity, creativity, and connection while supporting early learning and family bonding in a warm and welcoming environment. A short caregiver discussion led by experienced early childhood educators will provide helpful information about child development and everyday parenting.

Celebrate fall with pumpkins, play, and family fun! This ECFE class includes seasonal activities, sensory experiences, songs, stories, crafts, and plenty of opportunities for children and caregivers to learn and play together.

Rainbow Science is a one-time ECFE class filled with colorful, hands-on experiments and playful discovery for children and their grown-ups. Together, families will explore simple science concepts through rainbow-themed activities involving color mixing, sensory play, movement, art, and exciting reactions. This fun and engaging class encourages curiosity, creativity, and learning through play — with plenty of opportunities to explore, create, and maybe even get a little messy!

Stretch, move, and connect together in this playful parent-child yoga class designed for young children and their caregivers. Through simple yoga poses, songs, movement activities, breathing exercises, and relaxation, families will build strength, balance, mindfulness, and connection in a fun and welcoming environment. This class encourages bonding, social interaction, and healthy movement habits while supporting children’s physical and emotional development. No previous yoga experience is needed—just come ready to move and have fun together!

Enrolling in Medicare can feel like opening a puzzle that’s all sky. It’s hard to know where to start. But, much like with puzzles, a little help goes a long way. That’s why I’m hosting Getting Started with Medicare —an informational event to help explain your options: You’ll learn: Your current Medicare coverage options. The benefits and costs of each plan. Key points to consider with each plan. Thrivent is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

Get ready for a sweet holiday adventure! Join us for Gingerbread House, a festive ECFE class where families will build and decorate their own gingerbread houses together. We’ll enjoy holiday-themed activities, songs, stories, and plenty of icing-and-candy creativity. This hands-on class is a fun way to make memories, encourage imagination, and celebrate the season with your child. Dress for the mess and come ready for lots of holiday fun!

Session 1 (Winter): Beginning of February Session 2: (Spring): Beginning of AprilSession 3: (Summer): Beginning of JuneSession 4: (Fall): Beginning of SeptemberNo class sessions offered in December and January. The Adobe software tools are the leading software for graphic design. Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard computer illustration software. Use Illustrator to draw shapes and design logos, flyers, posters, banners, business cards or any other vector graphics for print or web. Adobe InDesign is the industry standard page-layout program that works with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop seamlessly. InDesign allows you to create simple to complex multi-page documents such as brochures, flyers, books and magazines. Use Adobe Photoshop to effectively work with selection and editing tools, layers, and masks to edit, retouch and enhance existing images or create your own composite digital art work. Access to the Adobe software tools required. An invitation into the classroom will be emailed to each student the Thursday before the course begins. That invitation will arrive from the email address: teacher@ugotclass.org. Students accept the invitation, and from there they will be able to create a password. Their login will be their email address. Once students have created a login, their classroom will be listed in their student profile. An invitation into the classroom will be emailed to each student the Thursday before the course begins. That invitation will arrive from the email address: teacher@ugotclass.org. Students accept the invitation, and from there they will be able to create a password. Their login will be their email address. Once students have created a login, their classroom will be listed in their student profile. CEUs/ILUs: 4.8 Length (in hours): 48 Frequently Asked Questions

This Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) class is designed for toddlers ages 1 to 3 and their caregivers. Growing Together offers a warm, welcoming space where young children can explore, play, and build early social skills while caregivers connect, learn, and share experiences. Each session includes child-led play, circle time with songs and stories, and simple activities that support language development, motor skills, and emotional growth. Led by licensed early childhood educators and parent educators, caregivers have opportunities to observe their child, discuss developmental topics, and gain practical strategies for guiding behavior, encouraging independence, and strengthening relationships. Growing Together focuses on building confidence in both children and caregivers as they navigate these important early years—together. Reference this chart to select the correct payment amount during registration.

Discover the joy of making fresh, handcrafted tortellini from start to finish! Join Chef Tess in one of her newest hands-on cook-along experiences where you will learn how to make delicate pasta dough from scratch, then roll, fill and shape your own tortellini with scratch made fillings. We’ll begin by preparing a rich, creamy three-cheese filling which becomes the foundation for two delicious variations: a savory mushroom and 3-cheese filling bursting with umami (with the option to substitute spinach for the mushrooms), and a hearty Italian sausage and 3-cheese filling for those who prefer a more robust option. Chef Tess will guide you through the process of stuffing and shaping the tortellini step-by-step then cooking them to perfection with a velvety scratch-made cream sauce for a truly authentic experience. Regardless of your culinary background, this class will empower you with the artistry and assurance to create exquisite, homemade tortellini that delight every time. Equipment Needs: An inexpensive pasta roller is highly recommended but not required. A stand-mixer for the dough, and a food processor for the meat filling are also recommended but not required. More info will be provided in the ingredient list packet. While cooking-along is loads of fun, and highly recommended, it is optional. This class will take place on Zoom, free online software. Participants will receive instructions on how to access the class prior to it starting. A list of ingredients and class details will be received in advance of the class with enough time for shopping and preparation. The Instructor’s Personal Recipe from this class will be included in a professionally made PDF packet to be received by participants after the class. NOTE: The instructor’s recipes are copyrighted and are only shared with those who register for this class. As an added bonus, the instructor has created a private group and a public group on Facebook for participants of her cooking classes. Everyone will receive an invite to the groups although joining is optional. Come join the fun! Note: One registration fee for this online virtual interactive class can include immediate family members living full-time in the same home ONLY. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. If friends, adult children, or extended family members are gathering for a fun night together, EACH household must register SEPARATELY even if participating together.

This class is designed for family members and caregivers who want to help a loved one remain safe, comfortable, and independent at home. We will discuss practical ways to support daily routines, meal planning, grocery shopping, household tasks, and other independent-living needs. Participants will also learn about helpful resources, planning ahead, and balancing safety and support with a loved one’s desire for independence.

Our online Driver’s Education program prepares students for the Minnesota Class D Knowledge Exam while helping them build the skills needed for safe, responsible driving. Age Requirement: Students must be at least 14½ years old by the start of class. Class Structure: This online option includes 30 hours of online classroom instruction through A+ Driving School and six hours of Behind-the-Wheel training with Albert Lea Community Education driving instructors. Course Availability: The Fall 2026 online course is available August 10 through December 31, 2026. Registration closes November 16, 2026. Registration Fees & Deadlines: The Early Bird Registration fee is $385 through November 2, 2026. After that, the standard registration fee is $405 through November 16, 2026. Additional Fee Required: A separate $20 A+ Driving School online platform fee is required when creating an account. This fee must be paid by credit card and is not included in the Community Ed registration fee. Course Timeline: Students must complete the course within the date range listed at registration. They may work on the material for up to three hours per day and can finish in as few as 10 days. Students who do not finish within the allotted time must re-register and pay for the course again. Completion / Permit Test: At the end of the final online lesson, students must go to myblueslip.com, select Albert Lea Community Education, and follow the prompts to notify our office that the classroom portion is complete. Community Education will then submit the student’s information to the state and send additional next-step information by email. Students must be age 15 before taking the Minnesota Class D Knowledge Exam. Additional Information: Full course and contract details, policies, and requirements will be provided during the online enrollment process. Please also check your confirmation email for instructions on how to create your account and log in to the online classroom. For more information on Driver’s Education, including details for homeschool students, behind-the-wheel instructor training, and how to schedule a knowledge exam or road test appointment, please visit our Driver’s Education section on the district website. There, you can also print paper contracts, access the online Driver’s Education manual, download the student driving log, and find practice tests. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Community Education office at 507-379-5318.

Tired of working for someone else? Do you need to make more money? Turn your talents and hobbies into profits by starting a home business. Taught by a Chamber of Commerce Past President and award winning business owner, this is probably the most comprehensive business start up workshop you will ever find. You will discover: More than 250 legitimate home business ideas Mandatory legal documentation Many ways to market your product/service How to take tax deductions (this workshop included!) Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a Chamber of Commerce Past President, current author/editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

In just a few hours you can learn enough about playing the guitar to give you years of musical enjoyment, and you won’t have to take private lessons to do it. This crash course will teach you some basic chords and get you playing along with your favorite songs right away. Fee includes the online book, online follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also an optional periodic question and answer session. Class is held online using Zoom and is partly hands on instruction and partly lecture/demonstration.

In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment. Learn to play piano the way professionals do-using chords. The chord method is LOTS of fun and dramatically easier to learn than reading notes. Fee includes the online book, online follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also an optional periodic question and answer session. Class is held online using zoom and is partly hands on instruction and partly lecture demonstration.

In just a few hours you can learn enough about playing the ukulele to give you years of musical enjoyment and you won’t have to take private lessons to do this. This crash course will teach you some basic chords and get you playing along with your favorite songs right away. Fee includes the online book, online recorded follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also access to optional live periodic question and answer sessions at no additional cost. Class is held online using Zoom and is partly hands on instruction and partly lecture/demonstration.