Meet the analog club instructors
Carole Bassett
Carole has been knitting and sewing since she was 11 years old. She attended Singer Sewing classes every summer as a child and her friend taught her to knit when she was in middle school. Over the years Carole has created many things including swimsuits, tutus, sweaters, hats, stuffed toys, and jewelry. Currently, Carole uses her sewing skills to create fabric art. She volunteers as a sewing and knitting instructor at the Washington County Commission on Aging, Senior Center and she supervises sewing and knitting items for several hospitals, senior living/nursing homes, and Children in Need. A retired research scientist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Carole brings the same precision and patience to her craft that she brought to her career. We are so glad she is bringing both to the Analog Club.
Abdel Shakur
Abdel Shakur has been playing chess since his father taught him on an old wooden set in the family room when he was eight years old. Those early lessons taught him the fundamentals of the game — but also showed him how much positive connection, patience, and openness matter when learning to think like a chess player.
Abdel loves chess because it develops thinking in a fun and deeply human way. It is a bridge that connects people across cultures, backgrounds, and generations. No matter where you are in the world, someone speaks chess.
Today Abdel brings two decades of experience working with young people both in the classroom and at the chessboard. A chess coach at Western Heights Middle School and organizer of the summer chess series at the Fletcher Branch of the Washington County Free Library, he has spent years making the game accessible and exciting for players of all skill levels.
For Abdel chess is about more than winning. It teaches students to think critically, solve problems creatively, stay patient under pressure, and learn from every mistake — skills that go far beyond the board.
No experience necessary. Abdel meets students exactly where they are and makes sure every player leaves each class feeling capable and confident. We are so glad he is bringing all of that to the Analog Club.
Share your skills. Inspire the next generation.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE AN ANALOG CLUB INSTRUCTOR?
The Analog Club is looking for instructors with all kinds of skills and passions. If you can teach it at a table and it does not require a screen, we want to hear from you. See the list below for session ideas. Once you have an idea Submit a course proposal by clicking the button below.