General Class Information

General:
My classes are open to everyone. My teaching focuses on things generally not found in books and leans heavily on oral tradition. I am a firm believer in experiential learning. In my classes, the science of herbalism is carefully balanced with the art and energetic realms to offer the student a well-rounded herbal perspective. Much of what we do is hands on and interactive. If you are interested in applying for an intensive,single class, or the entire school, I ask for a firm commitment to attend and finish all of the classes. Having a background in botany, herbal medicine, health care etc.. will allow you to enjoy the information on a deeper level but it is not required. I make a strong effort to make my classes available to everyone regardless of training or income. I do expect that those that wish to study with me have open minds and share my great excitement and passion for working with the plant world. The Herb Program follows the general educational guidelines outlined by the American Herbalist Guild. You may see a break down in the student catalog.

What to expect:
Intensives are small, and meet weekly. Opportunities exist for doing work outside of the classes as well. We cover a lot of information so feel free to bring questions to the next class. There are a few advanced apprentices available to you as mentors. There will be one or two breaks during each class so please bring snacks. Tea will usually be provided. Classes are taught both indoor and outdoor depending on the weather and subject matter. You will be warned about any supplies that are needed. Generally, a notebook should suffice and some outside homework may be expected.

How to Apply:
If you are applying for the entire program, please make sure you have filled out a full application. If you are taking a single intensive, then all that is necessary is this updated registration form. Send it in via email and/or regular mail with your $75 deposit, to Nicole Telkes/Wildflower School 1608 Greenwood Ave Austin, TX 78721. You are welcome to pay for the full program, intensive or class at any time prior to the start date. If you are applying for the entire program please see the school catalog and make sure you send in your $265 deposit with your completed application upon the initial interview. Make sure you schedule an interview, as your first step in the process. Registration for the entire program is complete after you have turned in your paperwork and deposit, and had a second appointment to go over expectations and the curriculum prior to the3 start date of classes.

About the classes:
Classes "make" once 5 people have registered. Most classes close at 10 people. Please make sure and read the description to see if you qualify for enrollment. Some intensives require having taken the Foundations Class. Please let me know if you need a receipt or some sort of transcript. You can apply these classes to American Herbalist Guild Requirements. Make sure to keep careful records. Professional membership standards require 1500 hours of study in Herbal Medicine. Classes are held at A) My home 1608 Greenwood Ave B)The American Botanical Council C) at an offsite outdoor location that is announced.

Prices and Payments:
The entire Herbal Program costs $1295 if early registered and $1395 after. Payment Plans are available in some cases for a small additional fee. Deposits to hold your place in the program are $265, with the rest due the first day of class(unless you have worked out a payment plan). If you register for single classes or intensives within a month of class you will receive a discount. Individual Class prices vary and are due by the first day of the class. 25 hour intensives cost $265 if paid by the first day of class. Individual classes out of intensives are $75-85 a class. A $75 registration/deposit fee holds your place in intensives and all payments are refundable up to one week prior to class. If you need to pull out of the class after this point, the $75 will be retained for administrative and managerial purposes as well as any individual class fees deducted from the total price.

Payment Programs and Work Trades:
Payment programs for intensives are agreed upon prior to class in written contract form. They usually consist of paying off the class in one, two, or three months, and in some special cases even longer. There is one work trade position per class. The position offers up to 20% off the price of the class in exchange for a certain number of agreed upon hours in my apothecary. This position is also agreed to in written contract form prior to class. If you do not complete your work trade within three months of the class, you will be asked to remit the rest of the amount owed.

Make Up Classes/Withdrawals:
You have two options when doing makeup, you can either have the class taught to you personally for a fee, or you can wait until it is taught again and you can attend it the next time around for a nominal fee.
Please contact me for more information. If you withdraw from a class or intensive up to a 2 weeks before the class, you receive your deposit back. After this time, your deposit is kept for administration fees and any withdrawals after this time will be treated on an individual basis as shown in the payment section. If you withdraw from the entire program or intensive after it begins, any refunds will be dealt with on a case by case basis. If you have committed to a payment program and have to withdraw, you may still be liable to pay it.

Student Benefits:
Students will be working with individual apprentices as mentors, and receive 25% off retail prices of herbs, consultations, and bodywork for up to 6 months after their studies. They may also be able to participate in bulk orders of oil, alcohol, and herbs. Students may use reference books available in the apothecary and harvest medicine from the Blackland Garden. Students may take other classes offered by the school for up to 50% off.