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Education
Studying by Correspondence
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"As a child I always enjoyed quiet moments with my Grandmother drinking
peppermint tea. She used to say that it was good for me 'now I know what she really
meant! For the past 3 years I have had the privilege of exploring the world of
herbs and health with Paul as my guide. This study has revealed the world of healing
in a way I have not previously experienced.' I have degrees in nursing and nutrition.
Understanding how herbs have been used in the past and how they are being used
today, supports my philosophy of common sense heath care and living. Paul's herb
classes have also included anatomy, physiology, biochemistry as it relates to
herbal constituents, diseases/conditions, astrology, and gardening. The class
materials and discussions are great! Paul is a wonderful teacher who has opened
the door to a new dimension in healing, encouraged me to explore things in a new
light, and given me the opportunity to learn more about myself and the incredible
universe." |
There are several options for study by correspondence which may be used for an individual program. With over twenty years' experiencing teaching students through correspondence, my approach is different than most other educational programs. What I offer the student includes a number of venues, allowing for differences in a student's background, interests, study habits and finances. Let me give you a brief introduction:
- Printed & Published materials: Several years ago I took the teaching manuals I had created and typed them, verbatim, into the computer. These have since been published as our 'Coursenote' series. They have not been written as prose but frequently are phrases and incomplete sentences. While they do not include the additional material I spontaneously add during a course, they include all of the substance. When teaching I often jot down additional phrases and words which I feel should be integrated into the next edition. Students seeking individualized correspondence study in herbal work will have materials taken from the Master Herbalist Program. (1)
- Taped Courses: Many (but not all) of the courses we offer were recorded live, many during the final year I was teaching in Los Angeles. We had four full classes a week, were completing three books, putting the Coursenotes together, and establishing The Hermit's Grove and its catalog. It was a productive period and allowed us to record nearly all of our courses live.
- The Hermit's Lantern: This monthly newsletter includes articles, new information and resources and offers us the opportunity to answer questions from students, people listening to taped courses or studying through the Coursenote series. The Lantern is sent free to Hermit's Grove Members. This is the most cost-effective and least demanding venue for study. Although it is not likely to allow you to get personal questions answered, it does bring you considerable material on a monthly basis.
- Private Tutoring in person: Students able to commute to the Grove typically meet with me once a week. Due to the demand for weekend openings, some tutoring must be conducted in a small seminar format. Private tutoring costs $45.00 per 60 minute session. The cost per hour for Master Herbalist students is $30.00.
- Private Tutoring for distance students is accomplished by the student
sending a list of questions which I discuss while recording a cassette tape. Taped
discussions are also very workable. This is mailed to the student. Written
correspondence can be managed but the demands upon my work as author and editor
make additional typing time more challenging for me to manage.
If you are sending a taped discussion and wish a response, you may estimate your time in the following manner: Thirty minutes of taped conversation from you will usually take me about 90 minutes (bare minimum) to listen to, make notes and record a useful response. - Person-to-person: Appointments by telephone are available. My best hours are early in the morning. I am least available evenings as that is when most of my classes are scheduled and most commitments arise.
- Visit the gardens: Corresponding students are encouraged to spend a
week or at least a long weekend at the Grove if at all possible. We do not have
facilities for housing. At best we can offer, at no charge, a tent site in the
woods and use of the portable toilet. There is a Motel 6 nearby which has been
used by the vast majority of visiting students.
To facilitate garden time we hold an annual Herbal Retreat in the gardens, including time for students to spend enjoying the gardens, becoming acquainted with the plants, utilizing the library and having a limited number of workshops and experiences to enrich their education.
Please note - Students enrolled in the Master Herbalist program are required to spend some time here prior to certification. This could be accomplished by arranging to be here for several days prior to the final evaluation, which must be done in person. - Monographs: We now have available monographs on nearly 200 herbs which enables a student to have access to the detailed material and research which we keep on the herbs which are part of our working pharmacopoeia.
- Cost: An individualized correspondence program may range from $20-50.00 per month, depending upon the amount of my personal time (such as recording a tape, writing a written response) and the quantity of printed materials and recorded tapes from existing programs of study. To determine an arrangement, my questions usually begin with "how much can you afford?" after which I attempt to work out the best arrangement for you.
I am open to suggestions and creative thinking. Please ask us any questions you have!
Thanking you,
Paul V. Beyerl
(1) Information on the Master Herbalism program is available upon request. Please include $2.00 for postage and printing. [$2.50 if living outside the U.S.]
Community College Courses
Courses have been offered at Community Colleges in the Puget Sound region since 1996 when I began teaching at Seattle Central Community College. In 2000 I began teaching at Cascadia Community College and ended my affiliation with Bellevue Community College.
To determine if one of the courses listed below is offered during a specific quarter, please check the schools' web sites or contact me.
Seattle Central Community College
Please note that sometimes the course name and contents may vary slightly.
Herbal Medicine for You
Description: This well-rounded introduction to herbal medicine provides you with basic knowledge and skills. Working with natural plant medicines. The role of herbal medicine in your life. Exciting, fun and thorough. Taught by well-known Master Herbalist Paul Beyerl.
Objectives: Students learn how to make safe home remedies in an informed, intelligent way. This course is designed to help the student understand what works and is based upon current medical, scientific and herbal research, helping a student work through centuries of popular (and sometimes misleading) lore.
Schedule: This course is typically offered fall quarter at each school and is sometimes offered winter quarter as well. Six weekday evenings 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Herbs for Winter Bugs
Description: Colds, influenza, sneezing and misery. Herbal remedies that can help, how to make them and when to take them. Don't be dragged out and miserable with common winter sickness. Natural remedies can work for you. Taught by well-known Master Herbalist Paul Beyerl.
Objectives: Introduction to common infectious disorders of the respiratory system. Includes the making of herbal teas, cough formulas, etc. using herbs which are known to be safe for home use.
Schedule: This course is usually offered winter quarter. six weekday evenings 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Herbal Medicine for Women
Description: What role does natural plant medicine offer women dealing with menstrual difficulties, pregnancy or menopause? What role does herbal medicine have in pregnancy or in your life as a woman? 15 essential herbs for your reproductive system. Exciting, fun and thorough. Students receive over 100 pages of printed materials.
Objectives: Introduction to the reproductive system. Menses, conception, pregnancy and menopause. Overview of anatomy and the body's functions. Discussion of common difficulties. Preparing for and moving through menopause.
Schedule: This course is offered fall or winter quarter. five weekday evenings 6:30 - 8:30 pm
That Great Hands-On Gardening Course
Description: Understand the needs of your plants. Learn about soil, composting, planting, growing from seeds. Herb and perennial gardening plus an overview of what plants are and how they grow through easy-to-understand botany. What are the best tools and how can you avoid harmful chemicals? Meets twice in the classroom and three times on Rose Hill in the instructor's 1.3 acre garden at The Hermit's Grove.
Objectives: Students learn how to put in new gardens and maintain existing
gardens. Emphasis on natural gardening. A list of resources is provided along
with introduction to useful books, tools, techniques.
Complete syllabus available by calling Paul Beyerl (425) 828-4124.
Schedule: This course is offered each spring at Cascadia Community College. five Saturday mornings
The Hermit's Grove's Annual Intern Program
- Each year a maximum of six applicants are be selected by application and in-person interview. If you've participated in the past you are welcomed to apply again!
- Interns provide labor in the gardens in exchange for free educational opportunities.
- Hands-on learning with internationally-known herbalist.
- Gifts of live plants plus a share in the harvest frequently available to interns as well as quantities of some species of harvested herbs for you to take home, dry and use.
- Interns may elect to pursue private study in the Master Herbalist Certification Program in exchange for their work (growing season only) rather than the intern class.
- Invitation to participate in the Annual Spring Blessing of our gardens.
- Interns receive Grove Membership benefits and other perks while active Interns!
Call now for application form and to schedule your interview.
Those lucky laborers may participate in the weekly program or in the every-other week program. Free 60 minute classes are provided for the interns on Saturday mornings at 8:30 with class material derived from our Master Herbalist program. If desired, these studies can lead toward certification.
Curious? Call us at (425) 828-4124 for information or to schedule your interview.
Preferred: interns who can participate throughout the growing season, from the herbs' early growth through the harvest in late August. We will work around your vacation/travel schedule.
[Weekday arrangements may be available for those whose employment schedules conflict with this program.]
Perks with program enrollment: free weekly class for each three hours' work plus the benefits of Hermit's Grove Membership and a monthly copy Hermit's Lantern. Benefits include a 15% discount on books and 15% discount on herbs with a special 25% if the total is $15.00 or more. Participants also receive one monograph of your choice for each completed week, access to the research library in the classroom by appointment
Bonus perks:
- after 20 hours a free 60 minute natal chart interpretation
- after 50 hours an invitation to the annual Autumn feast at Azteca Mexican Restaurant
- after 100 hours a $50.00 cash bonus