When one is a teacher and a struggling author opportunities arise where one receives requests to speak to various organizations. Over the years I have given a variety of speeches to a wide variety of audiences.

One of my early speech memories occurred when the Junior class of Wheaton High School requested that I speak at their junior/senior prom banquet. I pretended I had kept a diary of my own junior prom experiences and read portions of it to them. It actually was a true description of my prom experience and I remember the nicely dressed audience laughed hysterically. Even the staff in attendance seemed to enjoy it.

The theme of the speech was centered around the fact that I had to double with my brother Tom since we only had one family vehicle. He was a senior and was dating this hot chick who was a freshman. She was cute, bubbly and a high school cheerleader. Back in those days high school cheerleaders were on top of the social ladder.  The ‘prom queen’ award had not been invented yet but had it been I’m sure Marsha would have won it.

My date was a prearranged one by my Mother and my date’s mother. Since neither of us had plans for the prom the moms made plans for us. Just like that I had a date for the prom! Thanks Mom. 🙂  Thus we tagged along on my brother’s final prom of his high school career. I recently spoke to Marsha and even though that prom occurred 57 years ago she still hasn’t forgiven me or the moms for that impolite intrusion. 🙁

I had a short career of speaking to teacher groups. Several years after retiring from teaching a faculty representative from the Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley (CGB) School asked me to speak at their opening day workshop. Before the three schools merged I had attended the Clinton school, been a member of the Graceville Catholic Church and visited Beardsley often as a kid since that was my Mother’s hometown.

So my speech with as much humor as possible reminded the faculty that I represented their students since I too was a product of the Clinton, Graceville, Beardsley communities. I ended on a serious note reminding them that they were preparing their students to enter the world much like their communities had prepared me in years past. I urged them to take their teaching duties seriously.

The speech was well received so well received that several years later I got a second call to make another opening day workshop speech at CGB. The person who contacted me even said, “Hey, that speech you gave last time was a good one but I’ve forgotten most of it so, heck, you can give the same one again.”

I should have heeded his advice because my second speech bombed as I tried to use the letters of E-D-U-C-A-T-I-O-N. Each letter was used to emphasize a positive teaching trait to use in the classroom. I’m thinking my second speech was not too well received because my stipend was less then the previous time and I’ve never been invited back. My pre-school workshop speeches came to a screeching halt!

I’ve even delved into spiritual speeches. One time I spoke at a teenage church retreat where I showed them a picture of Jesus knocking on a door that was missing an outside doorknob. Together we discussed how that image reminded us that we had to invite Jesus into our hearts. He can’t open the door to our hearts from the outside.

Then there was the weekend long church retreat where I gave an unexpected speech. A blizzard suddenly came up and the original speaker couldn’t make it to the church. I used three Bible verses and managed to develop some thoughts around them. With the help of the Holy Spirit I survived. I noticed several in the audience had their heads bowed as I spoke. They might have dozed off and I’ve never been quite sure. Actually the more I think about it I believe they were so touched by my words that they had bowed their heads in prayer. In fact that’s my story and I’m sticking with it. 🙂

I spoke to a Lions Club one time about my writing history and the secretary of the group was so impressed she invited me to speak to her woman’s study group. The all woman’s audience was a new experience for me but the lunch they served after words made it well worth it!

I’ve spoken to several boy scout groups and helped them earn merit badges. I traveled many miles to a home school gathering and shared environmental activities with them.

Probably my most challenging speaking engagements took place when I was the Coordinator at the Bonanza Education Center. Every winter when visits to the learning center declined I would prepare a lyceum and present it at each school. The presentation lasted about forty-five minutes. It was usually in the school gymnasium packed with kindergarten thru sixth graders and thank goodness teachers and aides too! Without teachers and aides back then I would not have survived and would not be here writing this blog today. 🙂

There have been homecoming pep fest speeches, snow ball coronation speeches and the school teacher skits that are way too numerous to mention. (and too embarrassing to describe!)

Also workshops in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Iowa where I shared my “Children In The Outdoors” books with elementary teachers and together we brainstormed ways to use the stories to get children learning in the outdoors.

I’m exhausted! I didn’t realize I was such a talker. 🙂 (No additional outside comments needed. 🙂

Last week the phone rang and a whole new speech opportunity opened up. When I answered the phone a young lady’s voice asked me if I was busy July 6th. I immediately knew what was coming next. You see this summer my hometown is having their all school reunion July 6th, 7th and 8th.

Tradition is that the first day of the all school reunion there is a recognition celebration in one of the churches for all past graduates who are eighty years old and older. They always have a speaker as part of the program. Do you see where this is going?

They were wondering if I could reminisce a little as well as talk about my writing experiences and tell some jokes. (Reminder to self: with that age group jokes referring to ‘Depends’ must be banned.)

So I am embarking on a new speaking adventure. Actually since my new children’s book, “The First Advent, Stories and Activities” has just been released I think marketing wise it is perfect timing. I might even be able to mention the book a time or two.

Hey, think of all the grandkids and great grandkids those octogenarians are harboring in their family trees. With any luck at all that speech could result in “The First Advent, Stories and Activities” moving onto the best sellers list! 🙂

Until next time!