“I have been involved with CCAE for over ten years, as both an instructor and student.

My favorite moments as an instructor are the little moments in class, when, despite our different languages, cultures, ages, backgrounds, we connect over our stories, goals, dreams, and fears. For me, it’s more than an ESL class, it’s a place where people come together and try to understand, learn from, and support each other.

My favorite moment as a student at CCAE has been attending the playwriting workshops, learning how to write a play, how dialogue can flow, how to create a scene – the classes are so fun and interesting, and some of the students are just brilliant writers. Everyone brings their own style. In these classes, I went from someone who had never written a play, to an aspiring playwright, to someone who writes plays and sees them produced in festivals and theatres around the country. It’s a lovely progression. CCAE’s mission is important to me because I’m such a strong believer in life-long learning. The quest for knowledge is never over.

I’m looking forward to the mix of new students in class and students who take my various classes every session. It’s like meeting old family and new family. I’m teaching a new 3-week class this winter, and it’s on Zoom so no one has to leave their house during the cold, cold days!”

Andrea Aptecker, Teacher and Playwright