Speak Up & Stand Out

10 weeks Public Speaking and Leadership Course for students to gain practical communication skills without the stress of the competition

Learn more...

preparing and presenting a variety of speeches
helping others by providing constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement impromptu speaking exercises planned and directed by student leaders
breaking into panel discussions and reporting
practicing answering most common interview questions for college, ASB, clubs without anxiety, and in the moment
and more...

Dates: June 15th - August 15th
Price: $250

Anna Scoby

Welcome, I am Anna, your coach for the next 10 weeks as we learn to Speak Up & Stand Out.

I specialize in taking away the intimidating factors of Public Speaking and College Interviews. I believe that effective communication and the ability to tell stories about ourselves make a difference and affect future success.

I am professional, as I have 10 years of experience in Corporate America. Last 7 years I have been teaching Public Speaking, College Interviewing Techniques, and soft skills to kids of all ages. I developed unique classes to engage my students and get results.

I am a parent of two, 10 and 22 years old. I know firsthand the struggle parents face with kids and the challenges kids go through, from finding friends to getting into colleges. I am a proud parent of Columbia Law Student.

I am a communicator and an award-winning speaker and believe in the power of words. After all, with just words, we can fall in love, start a war, find friends, and destroy self esteems. I have been competing, presenting, coaching, training for over 20 years.

I love what I do. My classes are practical, engaging, hands-on, and fun. They are about my students and for my students.

Overcome nervousness when speaking in front of the peers/audience
Organize their thoughts effectively and express themselves convincingly
Build confidence and leadership
Listen carefully to others ideas

Session 1 - What is Communication
Video:
- Types of Communication
- Differences between Essay and Speech

Live Session:
- Tips on Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking
- Impromptu Exercise
- Presentation/Feedback
Session 2 – Basic Speech Structure, Purpose, Speech Prep Techniques
Video:
- Purpose of the Speech
- Speech structure
- Why Important: Structured speeches are easy to follow thus understood, processed, and remembered by the audience

Live Session:
- Types of hooks and wrap up statements
- Note Card Speech Prep Techniques
- Impromptu Exercise
- Presentation/Feedback
Session 3 - Delivery and Body Language
Video:
- Body Language - Importance
- Elements of the delivery
- Why Important: Delivery communicates confidence. Approximately 55-90% of the meaning listeners grasp from the delivery

Live Session:
- How to read your audience
- Effective Presentation techniques
- Impromptu Exercise
- Presentation/Feedback
Session 4 - Power of Storytelling and Gestures
Video:
- Importance of the storytelling/Science Behind stories
- Elements of a story
- Why Important: Storytelling is the most effective way for audience engagement, making your speech memorable and impactful

Live Session:
- Gestures
- Story Arc and emotional Intent
- Impromptu Exercise
- Presentation/Feedback
Session 5 – Impromptu (Speaking off the Cuff without preparation)
Video:
- Speech structures for speeches without preparation
- Why Important: Critical thinking is a big part of public speaking. Most of our presentations are delivered on the spot, therefore developing fast thinking abilities will help students to think on their feet

Live Session:
- Stalling techniques and how not to answer questions you don't want to answer
- How to be interesting as a speaker/how to not be boring in a group
- Impromptu Exercise
- Presentation/feedback

Session 6 – Informative Speech and Steps During Presentation
Video:
- Speech structure for effective informative speech
- Why Important: The ability to get to the point with just the right amount of details is a wonderful skill to have for effective communication. An informative speech is a good way to practice this skill

Live Session:
- Spice Up a boring presentation
- What to do with complex topics
- Impromptu Exercise
- Presentation/feedback
Session 7 - Persuasive Speech and Vocal Variety
Video:
- Persuasive (emotions) vs Opinion (facts) Speech overview
- Why Important: Being able to make the speech about the audience (have an impact) is a sure way to get them to be on your side and empathize with you.

Live Session:
- Impact Calculus
- How to agree to disagree
- Impromptu Exercise
- Presentation/feedback
Session 8 - Opinion Speech and Vocal Variety
Video:
- Speech structure to express opinion effectively
- Why Important: Opinions can get tricky when expressed. With structured opinion speech, you will have a better chance to be understood.

Live Session:
- How to actively listen
- How to make it easier for your - audience to listen to you
- Impromptu Exercise
- Presentation/feedback
Session 9 – Entertaining Speech
Video:
- Entertaining Speech structure to trigger emotions in the audience
- Why Important: When your audience feels the emotions they believe your stories and are with you in them.

Live Session:
- What stories to use to emphasize your best part
- Moral of the Story and its importance
- Impromptu Exercise
- Presentation/feedback
Session 10 – "Tell Me About Yourself " speech
Video:
- Speech structure to shine during the interview/presentation
- Why Important: Well prepared speech about our best qualities is a must-have for everyone.

Live Session:
- STAR interviewing techniques
- Impromptu Exercise
- Presentation/feedback

10 weeks
Recorded lectures (Tuesdays)
Weekly Zoom meetings (Thursdays)
Impromptu speaking practices (selected and lead by students)
Prepared speeches delivery
Peer to Peer and Coach Evaluations
Student discussions in smaller groups

Nadejda Khlybova

Parent

These classes are have been really fun and engaging for my daughter. It's great to see her self confidence grow as she learns to work with others and speak in public! Since she started taking these classes, she's been more aware of the world around her, thanks to Anna's great effort and involvement. The business fairs and real world experience that Anna has provided to her students are amazing. She puts a lot of effort into her classes, and it really shows.

Emma

Student

Coach Anna has always been extremely supportive, enthusiastic, and insightful in her teachings. Her classes provide a safe environment where young students such as myself are able to realize the true value of communication and innovation. She's truly an inspiration. :)

Alice

Student

I think we can all feel that you love teaching and communicating with us, you always find new ways to involve us in our club’s management process, especially those who don’t usually speak up. Personally, I learned many unique, valuable skills from your club, such as starting a creative project from scratch, speaking impromptu, and various speech tips in aspects that I had never considered before. Most of all, your clubs were one of the only opportunities for me to express myself in creative ways without a set topic or boundary and enabled me to set foot in a field that I am now working to further develop.

Thank you so much for being our coach :))

Michael

Student

I think the feedback you give us is very helpful for our personal development! Also the lessons and messages you inspire us within each class are meaningful and thoughtful. Overall I am very thankful for the opportunities you bring us!!

Sabina

Student

Coach Anna not only demonstrates guidance to her students but also encourages us to step out of our comfort zone. She always provides constructive feedback to my speeches and I know I’ve improved to be a better speaker because of her feedback. Through her mentorship I’ve not only improved speaking but I’ve learned valuable skills such as speech structure and how to write a speech that draws in the audience. Coach Anna is a very easy person to talk to and I am thankful for her lessons.

Paula

Student

Gavel Club was my first time being in a public speaking/ leadership club and I feel very thankful that I had you as my coach. Your lessons helped me to slowly get out of my comfort zone and become more comfortable speaking in front of my peers. When I was in the club, you made it a very enjoyable experience and made it feel like a safe space to practice my public speaking skills. I believe that I was able to start a public speaking club at my school because of the great advice and lessons I learned from you! Thank you Coach Anna!

Jason

Student

In my opinion all of your classes are very valuable. through your classes I have learned importance of leadership in a group environment this will hopefully help me in my future endeavors as I continue to explore the world of business. Your classes have help me to improve speech and as well as the way I present myself in front of others. Your method of teaching are very intuitive and interesting and helped me to really focus on the topics I wanted to learn. I have always appreciated where you allow us students to try and apply the knowledge we have learned by letting us conduct meetings. Thank you.

Brad

Student

Coach Anna has taught me so many things throughout my time with her. She has brought me out of my comfort zone and made me a better speaker. Every class that I have, I always learn something new that I take with me in my daily life. I am so blessed to have her as a teacher and I recommend her to anyone wanting to be a better speaker!

Joanne

Student

Hi Coach Anna! I think that your classes are very valuable since they’ve taught me how to run a class and I appreciate how you give your students the ability to speak during every session.

Only 20 Spaces Available

What is the time commitment?
The average commitment per session is 1-2 hours. However, it is up to you.
Can I pick a session I want to work on or do I go in order?
Please follow the order of the sessions. The course is designed to gradually build the skills up and increase confidence.
Do I have to speak in class?
No one will be forced to deliver a speech. However, participation is highly encouraged and will affect the outcome. Live sessions will provide a supportive and friendly environment for students to open up and feel comfortable to speak.
Where is the location?
We will meet on Zoom.
Can I start anytime?
The course is designed to provide a community environment. We will start together and grow together.
What happens if I miss a live session?
All live sessions will be recorded and provided to students for review. A coach will be available to answer questions in an online format. Additional in-person sessions can be purchased if needed.