TechFluent Academy

2026 Cohort: Self-Study - Mastering Microsoft PowerPoint, Day 1
2025-12-29 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Mastering Microsoft PowerPoint (10 hours total)
Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint is an essential skill for many careers. Discover how to create more polished and professional presentations by mastering PowerPoint. Learn to use the features and built-in tools in PowerPoint. Design better slides, using animations and rich media. Enhance presentations with visualizations and storytelling.
Recommend completing 5 hours on Day 1.

2026 Cohort: Self-Study - Master Microsoft OneNote
2025-12-26 13:00 - 16:30
Self-Study: Master Microsoft OneNote (4.5 hours total)
Microsoft OneNote is one of the most popular digital note-taking apps, used in companies large and small. With this learning path, you can master OneNote and discover how to take notes more effectively and use them across your organization. Discover OneNote’s robust built-in features. Take notes more efficiently and save time with shortcuts. Master the powerful collaboration features of OneNote.

Happy Winter Holiday!
2025-12-24 - 2025-12-26

2026 Cohort: Self-Study - Master Microsoft Word, Day 2
2025-12-23 13:00 - 17:00
Master Microsoft Word (8 hours total)
Proficiency in Microsoft Word is one of the most in-demand software skills today. This learning path helps you become a power user in Word. Discover how to create forms, format documents, use built-in templates, and more. Use Word’s powerful features and functions with ease.
Create and edit forms. Utilize Word’s built-in styles and templates.
Recommend completing 4 hours on Day 2.

2026 Cohort: Self-Study - Master Microsoft Excel, Day 3
2025-12-23 08:00 - 13:00
Master Microsoft Excel (13 hours total)
Employers around the world cite Microsoft Excel as one of the most sought-after skills for any new hire. This learning path helps you become an Excel power user—covering everything from functions and formatting to PivotTables and dashboards. Master the powerful features and functions in Excel. Learn how to use Excel’s robust built-in formulas. Get up to speed on PivotTables, dashboards, and Power Query.
Recommend completing 5 hours on Day 3.

2026 Cohort: Self-Study - Master Microsoft Word, Day 1
2025-12-22 13:00 - 17:00
Master Microsoft Word (8 hours total)
Proficiency in Microsoft Word is one of the most in-demand software skills today. This learning path helps you become a power user in Word. Discover how to create forms, format documents, use built-in templates, and more. Use Word’s powerful features and functions with ease.
Create and edit forms. Utilize Word’s built-in styles and templates.
Recommend completing 4 hours on Day 1.

2026 Cohort: Self-Study - Master Microsoft Excel, Day 2
2025-12-22 09:00 - 13:00
Master Microsoft Excel (13 hours total)
Employers around the world cite Microsoft Excel as one of the most sought-after skills for any new hire. This learning path helps you become an Excel power user—covering everything from functions and formatting to PivotTables and dashboards. Master the powerful features and functions in Excel. Learn how to use Excel’s robust built-in formulas. Get up to speed on PivotTables, dashboards, and Power Query.
Recommend completing 4 hours on Day 2.

2026 Cohort: How to be Influential, with Pam Acosta
2025-12-19 13:00 - 16:00
with Pam Acosta
ERP Consultant
How to be Influential
This course is designed to help you become your most Influential Self. Upon completing this course you will be able to utilize storytelling techniques to effectively communicate complex business concepts in an engaging and illustrative way with leveraging data points. You will be able to tailor communications that align with target audiences and client personas. And you will be able to apply the components of of influence to effectively manage outcomes and over comes obstacles with others.
This course designed by Lindsay Millett-Glass and Elizabeth Fleming, PsyD of Apidae Consulting

2026 Cohort: Self-Study - Master Microsoft Teams, Day 2
2025-12-19 09:00 - 16:00
Self-Study: Master Microsoft Teams (10 hours total)
Microsoft Teams is changing the way people communicate and collaborate at work. Learn to utilize the robust features included in Teams for text chats, channel conversations, file sharing, meetings, events, and more. Master Teams chats, channel conversations, and calls. Schedule, facilitate, and optimize Teams meetings. Leverage Teams to manage projects of any size.
Recommend completing 7 hours on Day 2.

2026 Cohort: Self-Study - Master Microsoft Excel, Day 1
2025-12-18 13:00 - 18:00
Self-Study: Master Microsoft Excel (13 hours total)
Employers around the world cite Microsoft Excel as one of the most sought-after skills for any new hire. This learning path helps you become an Excel power user—covering everything from functions and formatting to PivotTables and dashboards.
Master the powerful features and functions in Excel. Learn how to use Excel’s robust built-in formulas. Get up to speed on PivotTables, dashboards, and Power Query.
Recommended completing 5 hours on Day 1.

2026 Cohort: Student Tenant, and Teams Setup with Carol Smock & Joshua Shold
2025-12-18 13:00 - 15:00
Laptop SetUp, Student Learner Tenant, and Student Teams
with Carol Smock & Josh Shold
Executive Director & Program Director at TechFluent Academy
Setup your Personal Laptop, receive credentials for your Student Learner Tenant, and and Introduction to using the Student Teams platform.

2026 Cohort: Intro to M365 - Day 2, with Heather Severino
2025-12-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Introduction to M365, Day 2 (Half-Day)
with Heather Severino
Owner of TeachUTech
In this session, you will be introduced to the Microsoft 365 Apps and the Microsoft Cloud. You will walk away with a basic understanding of which apps will be most important in a consulting and IT role. And we will provide guidance on best practices, as well as tips and tricks for using the core apps.
There will be self-paced Learning Modules to support this Live Learning to follow.

2026 Cohort: Self-Study - Master Microsoft Teams, Day 1
2025-12-17 14:00 - 17:00
Self-Study: Master Microsoft Teams (10 hours total)
Microsoft Teams is changing the way people communicate and collaborate at work. Learn to utilize the robust features included in Teams for text chats, channel conversations, file sharing, meetings, events, and more. Master Teams chats, channel conversations, and calls. Schedule, facilitate, and optimize Teams meetings. Leverage Teams to manage projects of any size.
Recommend completing 3 hours on Day 1.

2026 Cohort: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, with Mary Myers
2025-12-16 13:00 - 16:00
with Mary Myers, MVP
Owner of WorldMax
Imposter Syndrome can feel isolating, but it’s far more common than we realize. In this session, participants will explore the roots of Imposter Syndrome, understand how it affects confidence and decision-making, and discover practical strategies to reframe it as a source of strength. Through open discussion and reflection, we will learn how to turn self-doubt into self-empowerment.
Learning Objectives:

Recognize the signs of Imposter Syndrome and how it impacts confidence, productivity, and career growth.
Identify external factors, such as workplace dynamics, immigration, and representation, that can contribute to feelings of self-doubt.
Apply strategies to reframe Imposter Syndrome as a tool for resilience, growth, and authentic leadership.
Develop personalized techniques to become their own strongest supporter and advocate.

2026 Cohort: Intro to M365, with Heather Severino
2025-12-16 09:00 - 12:00
Introduction to M365, Day 1 (Half-Day)
with Heather Severino
Owner of TeachUTech
In this session, you will be introduced to the Microsoft 365 Apps and the Microsoft Cloud. You will walk away with a basic understanding of which apps will be most important in a consulting and IT role. And we will provide guidance on best practices, as well as tips and tricks for using the core apps.
There will be self-paced Learning Modules to support this Live Learning to follow.

2026 Cohort: Self-Study - Microsoft Forms Essentials
2025-12-15 14:30 - 16:30
Self-Study: Microsoft Forms Essentials (2 hours total)
Learn how to create surveys and quizzes quickly and easily with Microsoft Forms, which comes bundled in the Office 365 suite. Curt Frye begins by showing how to create a basic survey, including how to add different question types—multiple choice, open-ended text, rating, and more—add ranking options, and allow for file uploads. Next, Curt steps through creating quizzes, including adding quiz questions, assigning point values to questions, and adjusting quiz options. Once you’ve learned to create a basic survey or quiz, you can learn how to edit forms, share them with other users, adjust themes, and preview how your form will look on different platforms. Finally, Curt shows how to view and analyze your results.

2026 Cohort: Self-Study - Master Microsoft Outlook
2025-12-15 09:00 - 15:00
Self-Study: Master Microsoft Outlook (6 hours total)
Microsoft Outlook is the go-to mail and calendaring app for companies large and small. Become an Outlook power user and keep yourself and your team organized and more marketable to employers.

2026 Cohort: Self-Study - Intro to SharePoint
2025-12-12 13:00 - 15:00
Self-Study: Intro to SharePoint (2 hours total)

In this course, Gini von Courter demonstrates the essential skills you need to work with SharePoint Online. Gini covers essential features such as log in, navigation, use of team and communication sites, editing and coauthoring documents, working with lists, integration with Microsoft 365, and document storage. She begins with basics like logging in and using the start page, then jumps into navigation, permissions, editing your profile, searching in SharePoint Online, posting news, and much more. Gini guides you through using the document library in SharePoint Online, as well as opening, editing, and saving a document. She shows you how to manage documents, view versions, share files, and more. Gini goes over how to use list apps in SharePoint, then finishes up with useful advice on integrating SharePoint Online with Teams and the SharePoint mobile app.

2026 Cohort: Self-Study - Intro to the Dataverse
2025-12-12 11:30 - 13:00
Self-Study: Intro to the Dataverse (1.5 hours total)
The Microsoft Dataverse is a customizable universe of table and column definitions developed by Microsoft as part of an open data initiative with Adobe and SAP, aimed at creating a collection of standard business entities. Formerly called the Common Data Service, the Dataverse provides consistency when developing applications, storing data within an organization, managing data transfers between organizations, and makes it easier to develop business applications. In this course, Gini von Courter shows how to use the Dataverse to create data-rich applications for Dynamics, SharePoint, and Office 365. She covers topics like how to set up Dataverse, create data flows between applications, and create basic apps using Power Apps. As Gini shows, using a Dataverse database means you don’t need to spend as much time designing a data structure, and instead can focus on building applications and workflows.

2026 Cohort: Collaboration with Different Perspectives, with Sissy Bottcher
2025-12-11 13:00 - 16:00
with Sissy Bottcher
CRM Services Lead at Avanade
Collaboration with Different Perspectives In this session, you will learn how to collaborate with people who bring differing perspectives to the table. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to explain the impacts of and differences between unconscious bias and psychological safety. You will be able to promote psychological safety in the workplace for yourself and others. And, you will be able to apply bias-aware practices to create a supportive environment where diverse perspectives are valued.
This course designed by Lindsay Millett-Glass.

2026 Cohort: Professional Communication Strategies in the Modern Workplace, with Amber Bell
2025-12-09 13:00 - 16:00
Professional Communication Strategies in the Modern Workplace
with Amber Bell
Owner at Training Dynamo
In today’s fast-paced, hybrid work environments, effective communication is more than just a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage. This dynamic 3-hour session equips professionals with the tools, techniques, and mindset needed to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact across diverse channels and audiences.
Participants will explore modern communication challenges and master strategies for navigating email etiquette, virtual meetings, cross-cultural interactions, and persuasive messaging. Through real-world scenarios, role-playing, and collaborative exercises, attendees will learn how to tailor their communication style to different stakeholders, resolve conflicts diplomatically, and foster stronger professional relationships.
Key Takeaways:

Best practices for digital communication (email, chat, video conferencing)
Emotional intelligence and active listening in business settings
Communicating across cultures and generations
Structuring messages for clarity, persuasion, and action
Giving and receiving feedback with professionalism
Building trust and credibility through communication

2026 Cohort: Self-Study via LinkedIn Learning - Time Management
2025-12-05 15:00 - 17:00
Increasing Productivity Through Time Management (1.25 hours):
Todd Dewett has spent much of his career helping professionals grasp what it means to be an authentic, effective leader at work. In this audio course, we gave LinkedIn members the chance to record a question for Todd, one of our most popular instructors. His answers capture practical insights about what great leadership looks like in practice. He covers how to effectively hold people accountable for their actions; create a healthy company culture; deal with difficult people; manage employees who exhibit great potential; and more. Todd answers each question with the same down-to-earth, practical style you’ve come to expect.
Manage Multiple Projects Simultaneously (45 min):
Dive into the world of project management with Kerry Hoffman, an expert in operations and project management. Kerry demystifies how to apply project management techniques to both professional and personal projects. Discover best practices for initiating, planning, executing, and monitoring your projects. Learn to close and evaluate your efforts, identifying paths for continuous improvement. After this course, you’ll be able to use a project management approach for success in any aspect of life.

2026 Cohort: Time Management, with Justin Carter
2025-12-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
with Justin Carter
Vice President of Technology at Caf2Code
In this course, we will explore the critical elements of managing your time as a Professional in the Technology Industry as we enter the era of Artificial Intelligence. Today there are many tools one can use to support the efforts of time management creating efficiency and enhancing productivity. It is imperative that as a professional in this space, you do not lose sight of the tasks you should be performing in order to maintain your best position in the company and on the projects you staff. By the end of this course, you will be able to apply best practices for balancing multiple clients and project deadlines. You will understand how best to escalate unexpected issues and how to apply effective prioritization techniques to optimize task efficiency. You will understand when and how to utilize digital tools and automation to streamline workflows. You will learn to develop strategies for managing interruptions and context switching to improve focus and maintain work-life balance. You will learn to identify and minimize common time-wasters; and you will create a personal time management plan.
Followed by 2.5 hours of Self-Study course-work on LinkedIn Learning:
Increasing Productivity Through Time Management (1.25 hours):
Todd Dewett has spent much of his career helping professionals grasp what it means to be an authentic, effective leader at work. In this audio course, we gave LinkedIn members the chance to record a question for Todd, one of our most popular instructors. His answers capture practical insights about what great leadership looks like in practice. He covers how to effectively hold people accountable for their actions; create a healthy company culture; deal with difficult people; manage employees who exhibit great potential; and more. Todd answers each question with the same down-to-earth, practical style you’ve come to expect.
Manage Multiple Projects Simultaneously (45 min):
Dive into the world of project management with Kerry Hoffman, an expert in operations and project management. Kerry demystifies how to apply project management techniques to both professional and personal projects. Discover best practices for initiating, planning, executing, and monitoring your projects. Learn to close and evaluate your efforts, identifying paths for continuous improvement. After this course, you’ll be able to use a project management approach for success in any aspect of life.

2026 Cohort: Intro to a Career in Technology, with Justin Carter
2025-12-04 09:00 - 16:00
with Justin Carter
Vice President of Technology at Caf2Code
In this session, you will learn what it is like to have a career in the technology space, and more specifically, what it is like to have a career as a consultant in the Microsoft Ecosystem. At the completion of this course, you will understand what consulting is and what it is not. We will have helped you understand what skills you will need to be successful as a consultant. We will have answered any questions you have specifically about consulting and technology careers in general. And we will have provided you with resources and takeaways to kickstart your career.
This course designed by Warren Thomas, retired.

2026 Cohort: Day in a Life Panel, Moderated by Carol Smock
2025-12-03 09:00 - 12:00
Day in the Life Panel
Moderated by Carol Smock
Executive Director, TechFluent Academy
In this session, you will meet several professionals with varying types of careers in the Microsoft Industry. They will share how they achieved their careers, what they “do in a typical day” and field questions from you, the Learners, until you are comfortable that you understand the journey you are embarking upon. We are still engaging industry professionals, so revisit this page frequently for updates.
In this class you will get to know…
Frederick Anaafi, Microsoft MVP, MCT and Community Leader for Power BI at SureSkills
Douglas Walker, Sr. Consultant at Root16 Reply
Deb Burgesser, Lead Consultant at enCloud9
Cristal Carter, Associate Developer at Vital Farms
Dan Drislane, Business & Process Analyst at Frontier Strategies

2026 Cohort: Learner Mindset, with Pam Acosta
2025-12-02 09:00 - 12:00
Learner Mindset
with Pam Acosta
ERP Consultant
In this course, you will be exposed to what it takes to move forward with a true Learner Mindset. Upon completing the course you will be able to define and exhibit Growth Mindset attributes at work and at home, like open mindedness and agility of thought. You will be able to identify the four key components of effective feedback. And, you will be able to construct a data and impact focused statement of feed back in a way that positively promotes growth and improvement with your peers, subordinates and superiors.
This content developed by Lindsay Millett-Glass and Elizabeth Fleming,PsyD of Apidae Consulting

Mock Interviews & Career Coaching with WorQFlow Solutions
2025-12-02 00:00
Mock Interviews & Career Coaching Workshop Led by premier Microsoft Recruiting Firm WorQFlow Solutions, this class prepares learners to navigate the job search process with confidence by developing interview skills, refining personal branding, and aligning career goals with market opportunities. Through guided coaching, mock interviews, and reflective exercises, learners will gain practical tools to present themselves effectively and strategically in professional settings. By the end of this class, learners will be able to:

Articulate a compelling personal narrative that aligns with their career goals and values.
Demonstrate effective interview techniques, including behavioral and situational responses using the STAR method.
Analyze job descriptions to identify key qualifications and tailor responses accordingly.
Receive and apply feedback from mock interviews to improve performance.
Identify and address common interview challenges, such as gaps in employment, career changes, or limited experience.
Create a personalized interview preparation plan, including research, practice, and follow-up strategies.

2026 Cohort: Kick Off and Trainer Meet & Greet
2025-12-01 13:00 - 16:00
Kick Off / Trainer Meet & Greet
Objectives:
The Importance of Networking
Meet the Trainers
Network with Colleagues

2026 Cohort: Welcome - Live-Virtual Certification Program
2025-12-01 09:00 - 12:00
Powering Minnesota’s Diverse Tech Workforce
TechFluent scales industry-leading technology training, mentorship and employment programs to offer virtual and self-study services to 25 individuals in Minnesota and 10 from across the US. Focused on under-represented groups across the the country, also described as adults in underserved communities who are eligible to work in the United States, 18 years of age or older at the time of enrollment who are not enrolled in any K-12 school, who are seeking employment, and are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or who are an individual of color or a woman. At TechFluent we believe everyone should benefit from Work Readiness, Credentialed Training.
It is our mission to remove barriers that prevent our fellow citizens from participating in the data-tech economy. We deliver comprehensive, comprehensible training that does not assume prior technical competencies. We believe that anyone can master the required skills, regardless of age, cultural background, or prior work experience. Thus far, our Program Participants have enrolled as Learners with at least some college or work experience in their background, rather than students fresh out of high school. This isn’t to say that a recent high school graduate cannot be successful in our Program, we simply do not have Key Performance Indicators to inform that result. Our program, to date, has trained 200+ participants in a variety of products that are part of the Microsoft technological stack. In 2024 we placed 60% of our graduates in roles appropriate to the training we provided. In 2025, we placed 11% of our graduates, however, the Industry and the American economy in general has been in incredible flux. We are working fervently to overcome these hiring hurdles by partnering with a variety of Hiring Organizations and Placement Agencies to help us find opportunities for all of our graduates and active students.
We specialize in the Microsoft technology stack and the focus of this program will be data analytics which includes Microsoft 365 and the Power Platform, with an emphasis on Power BI.
Credentials to be awarded
PL-900 Power Platform Fundamentals
PL-300 Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst
PL-200 Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant
Approaches to Learning
TechFluent has curated a curriculum offering courses through every method of teaching style – self-paced and live-virtual, all supported by a Learning Leader providing technical support and facilitating Trainer Assistant collaboration as needed.
Self-Paced Classes through LinkedIn Learning
Our partnership with LinkedIn Learning offers comprehensive self-paced learning paths, utilizing their extensive library of online courses. This collaboration enriches our participants’ learning journey by providing access to high-quality educational content that aligns with industry standards and emerging trends. Each learner will receive a license and be required to complete the specified courses listed below. Additionally, the full LinkedIn Learning catalog will be available to them throughout the duration of the program, ensuring they have access to a wide range of resources to support their learning and professional development.
Live-Virtual Classes through TechFluent Volunteer Program
Live-Virtual trainers are provided through our extensive partnership with Microsoft Industry Consulting Partners and MVPs. Most are generously donating their time and expertise to deliver material they have developed and refined throughout their career, or which has been donated to TechFluent by a Leading Educator in the Industry. Occasionally, we may need to compensate a Trainer to guarantee a date, and in these cases, these Professionals are often receiving an honorarium well below their standard consulting rate.
Program Leader On-Virtual Calls
To augment the virtual learning portion of the Curriculum we will staff a Program Leader on each call with the Participants throughout the entire Program. This Program Leader will not generally be able to answer the technical questions, but more importantly, will facilitate the Trainer Assistants and Office Hours Support Volunteers providing virtual technical collaboration with the Participants to ensure fluid and full support.
Agenda:
Meet the Board President

Meet the Executive Director

Meet our Cohort Ambassadors

Hear from a Successful Graduate

Happy Thanksgiving Holiday!
2025-11-26 - 2025-11-28
