By: Sara Mah
I had the privilege of bringing SpeechDojo to the Endless Skies Teachers Convention and the Northern Central Teachers Convention (NCTCA) as exhibitors in February of 2024. These conventions provided a platform to connect with educators, share insights, and validate the impact of SpeechDojo’s online public speaking program. We learned so much! Here, I’ll share some key learnings.
Key Learnings from the Teachers' Conventions
Learning #1: The Critical Role of Public Speaking Communication Post-Pandemic
One of the most striking observations we heard from teachers at both conventions was the shift in students' social behaviors post-pandemic. They reported that students are noticeably less social and more reluctant to engage in public speaking after spending a year (or in some cases multiple years) in an online environment. Many students prefer to record videos rather than speak in front of their peers, and some even refuse to do their public speaking assignments unless they can be done only in front of their teachers. This trend extends to everyday interactions, with very little chatting between students.
The implications of this pattern are profound. Public speaking is a critical component of academic, career, and personal development. The reluctance to engage in public speaking assignments suggests a growing comfort with isolation and digital interaction over face-to-face communication. This highlights an urgent need for programs like ours that focus on building confidence and communication skills in a supportive, virtual way.
Learning #2: SpeechDojo is an Excellent Fit for Rural Schools
Both conventions catered primarily to educators from rural districts in Alberta. These regions face unique challenges; particularly regarding access to resources and field trip opportunities. Teachers from these areas were very appreciative of the virtual nature of our programming. They valued the ability to participate without incurring additional costs or logistical burdens, which is often a significant barrier in rural settings. Without the need for transportation or dealing with logistical issues, our online courses and virtual lessons are highly accessible and practical solutions for them.
The feedback from rural educators underscored the importance of accessibility in educational programs. This reinforced our belief that virtual learning environments can play a crucial role in bridging educational gaps and providing high-quality learning experiences. In our article last year, Board Chair Armaan Somani and I discussed the importance of hybrid instruction, and how the use of online courses combined with live offerings can complement each other.
Learning #3: Teachers' Conventions are a High-Yield Source for Engagement
Our participation in these conventions also revealed the potential of teachers' conventions as high-yield sources for finding engaged and interested educators. We gained two extensive email lists and secured eight enrollments across both programs. This level of interest and engagement is encouraging and demonstrates the relevance and appeal of our offerings. These conventions provided a direct line to educators who are actively seeking innovative solutions to enhance their teaching practices and address the evolving needs of their students. A broader portion of the team also gained a greater understanding of the current educational landscape in Alberta—it was awesome to see so many members of SpeechDojo’s team come out to speak to the teachers! A huge thank you to Apoorva Mishra, Areej Shaikh, Joshua Ji, Judy Moon, Kayleigh Bonner, Parshva Shah, Pava Savic, Tenisha Brar, and Teressa Yu for their dedication and effort.
A Proud Moment for SpeechDojo: Validation and Growth
As a co-founder of SpeechDojo, attending these conventions was more than just an opportunity to network—it was a moment of immense pride and validation. Seeing our booth come to life with our banner stand and brochure materials was so exciting! It signaled our transition from a concept to a legitimate organization making a tangible impact in education. The feedback from teachers was particularly gratifying. Hearing educators say that our programs met a need they had been trying to solve was incredibly validating. It reinforced our belief in the importance of teaching public speaking skills and provided reassurance that our efforts were on the right track.
Our online program, SpeechDojo's newest offering, also received significant validation. The positive reception from teachers demonstrated that there is a real and pressing need for effective public speaking education at the middle school and high school levels. This validation is crucial as we continue to develop and refine this program to better serve the needs of educators and students alike. As the lead for that program, it was encouraging to pitch the program to teachers with positive reception. Even more encouraging were the enrollments we received from teachers convention, which empowered us to achieve our target number of 10 classes for the year, teaching a total of 235 students in 2023-2024. We’ve brought this program to classes for the 2024-2025 school year as well!
The Road Ahead
Reflecting on our experience at Endless Skies and NCTCA, we are more committed than ever to our mission. The insights gained and the connections made have provided a clear path forward. We are inspired to continue innovating and improving our programs to meet the evolving needs of educators and students.
The conventions have also highlighted areas where we can expand our reach and impact. The positive response from rural educators suggests that there are many untapped opportunities in similar regions. We are excited to explore these opportunities and bring the benefits of our programs to even more educators and students.
Attending these teachers' conventions was a pivotal experience for SpeechDojo. It provided valuable insights, affirmed the importance of our mission, and showcased the potential for future growth. We look forward to continuing this journey, armed with the knowledge and inspiration gained from these conventions, to make a lasting impact on education and public speaking skills development.
Sara Mah is SpeechDojo’s Former Vice-President, Online.
Comments