New health education classroom ready in Dexter

Observer photo/Mike Lange
    NEW CLASSROOM — Thelma Regan, director of the Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative, is shown in the new health education classroom at Millworks in Dexter.

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer
    DEXTER — Thanks to a cooperative effort between the Tri-County Technical Center and the Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative, a new health education classroom is nearly completed at Millworks in Dexter.
    The venture will not only allow more space for the PVAEC certified nurses’ aid program, but the classroom will also accommodate the health education classes at TCTC, according to PVAEC Director Thelma Regan. “Both programs are very popular, but space is limited,” Regan said. “Since we already have an adult education learning center here, things worked out very well.”
    Millworks is a renovated, century-old brick building owned by Frank Spizuoco near downtown Dexter. Part of it will be used for cold storage, but he’s hoping to lease much of the space for professional, educational or medical uses.
    “I remember when people wanted to tear it down,” Regan said. “Just look at what we have now and how much potential we have for growth.”

    The TCTC building trades class did much of the renovation for the new classroom space which includes new shelves, cabinets and molding. “Around 25 students were involved,” said Brian Welsh, director of student services. “It was perfect for us. Anytime you can get additional hands-on instruction, it’s a big plus. In addition, we’re helping ourselves because we’ll also be using the classroom.”
    The first CNA class is scheduled to start June 2 and some hospital beds, donated by Eastern Maine Medical Center, are already in place. A few additional renovation have to be done to make it more realistic, such as the installation of privacy curtains, Regan said. “We average 10 per class for the CNA course, but we’ve had a 98 percent placement rate in recent years,” she said. “We have a good working relationship with Mayo Regional Hospital and Hibbard Skilled Nursing Center.
    Regan eventually hopes to conduct EMT recertification courses at the Millworks site as well.
    For updates on PVAEC courses, visit PVAEC Adult Education on Facebook.