Teach at OLLI-UA

Share Your Knowledge as an OLLI-UA Study Group Leader (SGL)

Teach at OLLI-UA

If you're passionate about a topic, you are invited to share your talents by leading an OLLI-UA class (or study group, as we call them). There are a variety of ways to lead classes and social events both as an instructor and / or a facilitator/organizer.

Join our teaching mailing list, get contacted about proposal openings and training opportunities.

Who Teaches at OLLI-UA?

Our teaching ranks include active and retired academics, graduate students, business leaders, doctors, lawyers, teachers, social workers, psychologists, and more - all with an amazing range of experience and backgrounds. You do not have to be a member to teach but we encourage you to join and explore our unique community of like minded learners.

Why Teach at OLLI-UA?

Our unique learning community sets our program apart for many who lead classes. Members bring their diverse life experience to the classroom for an invigorating learning environment. It is learning for the simple joy of learning with no tests or grades.

Our 1,000+ OLLI-UA members are an important outreach constituency for the University and other community organizations.

We welcome outside proposals, as long as it is not for commercial or financial gain and offerings remain educational. When in doubt contact us here.

Video: Learn why study group leader (SGL) Dan says, "OLLI-UA is the best teaching gig I have ever had ..."

In memory of Dan Gilmore with the wishes of Dan and his family.

A Few Basics

Our study groups tend to be highly interactive and discussion-oriented, rather than lecture-based.

• OLLI-UA membership is not required to teach although many study groups are lead by members .
• Class formats are flexible. You can teach anything from a single session to a full 12-week lecture and discussion curriculum. Classes tend to be 1.5 hours each with some exceptions.
• We do not compensate for teaching. All of our Study Group Leaders (SGLs) volunteer their time and there is no monetary payment.
• Teaching is not a "sales" opportunity. Classes must be educational and are not for commercial purposes or personal financial benefit.
• Refer to our COVID-19 policies for teaching in-person here.

What Can You Teach or Facilitate?

Subject areas include history, arts, culture, crafts, cooking, health, self help, current events, literature, philosophy, spirituality, technology, science, math, social sciences, travel, entertainment and much more.

You can also facilitate events and outings. Dining out events and field trips (to local museums and parks, walking tours, community service projects etc.) can be submitted as options as well.

We also offer ongoing special interest groups (SIGs) both in-person and online you can explore - maybe a book club, movie club, concert club, foodie club or more. Contact us here if you have a SIG in mind.

Teaching Considerations

Considerations include, the term/session you would like to teach, teaching location and medium (online vs in-person), and class format structure to name a few.

OLLI-UA Terms

Our Academic Year runs July 1 to June 30

• Monsoon (Late summer July/Aug) - 6 weeks Online and Central Tucson location only
• Fall (Sept to Dec.) 8 -12 weeks depending on location.
• Spring (Jan to April) 8-12 weeks depending on location
• Summer (May to June) 6 Weeks Online and Central Tucson location only.

Proposal deadlines tend to be 4 to 5 months before a term starts.

Class Delivery Options

We offer both in-person and online options for teaching. Each has its own benefits and considerations.

In-person at one of our campuses

• • Central Tucson
  • SE Tucson (Vail)
  • Green Galley

Online using Zoom

• • Traditional Zoom Classes
    
    • Zoom software is provided by OLLI-UA.
    • We provided a Zoom tech host to support these classes.
  • Select Speaker Series Webinars (Upon special request and review)
  • Hybrid Offering in-person and online simultaneously (Upon special request and review)

Other formats

• Organized local field trips and dining out events
• Day trips outside of Tucson
• Local Concerts and more.

Contact us here for best practices and questions about these kinds of offerings.

Styles

In developing a class there are a variety of styles to consider. A few include:

• Lecture / Discussion
• Small format vs large format
• Instructor lead vs. facilitated

Contact us here if you would like input and assistance in developing a class idea. We have ways you can even pilot ideas.

Learn why outreach professionals love teaching at OLLI-UA

“OLLI provides a superb link between outreach-minded academics and a refreshingly motivated audience. We learned from that first course to prepare differently... In particular, most of us were surprised by the number and type of questions asked. Guided discussion turned out to be a better format than a lecture series.” - Insights by SGLs from the Linguistics Department at the University of Arizona

Come lend your talents and share in the joy of learning! 

If you have knowledge, skills, or a passion for a topic, you can submit a proposal to teach!
Complete your course proposal by clicking the "Submit a Study Group Proposal" button below.

Please note:

Submissions are considered as they come in. The sooner you apply, the better chance your requested schedule will be approved.

Study Group Proposals 2024

Spring Session - 12 weeks (January 22 to April 12, 2024) - Deadline to submit is October 10, 2023.

• Field trips and dining out options (to local museums and parks, walking tours, community service projects etc.) can be submitted as options as well.
• Classes are generally 1.5 hours each with standardized start times of 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm.
• Please read about our current COVID-19 protocols for in-person classes here.

Spring Schedule Notes:

Central Tucson, Online, and Field Trips - 12 weeks (January 22 to April 12, 2024) -

Deadline to submit is October 10, 2023.

• Central Tucson Campus In-person classes run 4 days per week, Tuesday to Friday
• Online Zoom Classes and Field Trips run 5 days per week, Monday to Friday

Green Valley and Southeast Tucson (Vail) - 8 weeks (February 6 to March 29, 2024)

• • Green Valley In-person classes run 2 days per week on Wednesday and Thursday at the Community Learning Center.
  • Southeast Tucson (Vail) In-person classes run 3 days per week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the Pavilion Building, the Lodge at Rancho Del Lago (Del Webb) (Vail)

Please note:

Submissions are considered as they come in. The sooner you apply, the better chance your requested schedule will be approved.

Develop Your Own Class

• Explore our classes and catalogs here for ideas.
• Request training and support from our curriculum team on the link below.
• Try a short class. Test your idea.
  
  Contact us here for any support or questions in developing an offering.