I have found numerous opportunities for my Public Speaking Honors students to take public speaking out of the classroom. In doing so, students feel the importance of the speech and really give it their best effort. I also make it significant enough that they will want to put in on a resume. One year, we went to McNair Middle School, where groups of 5 students presented to groups of 60 to 80 middle schoolers on the bullying topics. Another semester, we went to Ramay Junior High and spoke with groups of 20  students at a time on the topic of college readiness. Yet another year, we went to Fayetteville High School and each group gave speeches to 100 students on the topic of perceptions and misperceptions of college.

In Public Speaking, we talk about the influence of the ancient Greeks and Romans on rhetoric. I really wanted students to make connections between the ancient agora and the modern agora and so we had a field trip to the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market. Students met me at town center and we walked over to the nonprofit Artventures where the director talked about mission and purpose. One of the artists came and spoke to us about her art, her inspiration, and her purpose. After that, students went in small groups to the Fayetteville Marketing Division at the welcome center and listened to a small speech on everything from how the city funds events to what items they are promoting. The last part of the trip involved the students walking the square and talking to the politicians, artisans, and farmers. We come back together to debrief and discuss how their perspectives about what public speaking looks like had changed. Students has a lot to say about how good speaking was conversational and audience centered.

Many years ago, I sat next to a business professional at an event and asked him where he saw weaknesses in students’ preparation in college. He said that ‘in the “real world” group presentations involve each person doing something different and using their strengths towards a common goal. In college, you often teach that everyone does the same thing and just glues it together in a sequence of  three minute speeches.’ Since it is important to create meaningful learning opportunities for students that will prepare them for success, I created a new group speech. I also feel very strongly about teaching students to be interculturally aware, so I combined the goals. I created a formal business style presentation where students do a group speech complete with brochures, complex handouts, and props where they inform us about doing business in a different culture. Each person gives a speech but they are of varying lengths and there are various activities where each person lends their unique skills.  Another important part of preparing for this speech is learning how to research to write good interview questions and how to administer a good interview. Students use their newly acquired skills to interview someone from the culture that they are studying. They learn so much about teamwork, culture, and speaking.

Read about our class adventure in University News 

My Teaching Philosophy in Public Speaking

I believe that the best investment that I can make is time spent teaching and mentoring you. I LOVE to teach.  Teaching is my hobby.  It is not the job that I have to do --it is the hobby that I want to do.  Working with students is truly one of my greatest joys.   If you need help, please come and visit with me. I consider it a privilege to work with you one-on-one to develop your full potential.

I believe in making class relevant. This class will make a difference in your life regardless of your major. This class will be relevant. Improving your public speaking skills will improve your confidence in many areas of your life.

I believe in being student-centered.  I will teach the class with you in mind and will try to let you know not just what to do but also tell you why you should do it to help yourself grow as a speaker.

I believe that learning should be fun.  I intend to make this class enjoyable. The more you smile in class, the more you smile when you think about public speaking. Trust me, some of the things we do may seem light-hearted and fun but I will always have an academic goal in mind.

I believe you should have your own ideas on things, but you should always ask why you believe the way you do. My goal is never to “lead you to Lynn” but rather to make you challenge your assumptions. I want you to dig deep and learn to find credible information on topics, so that you can decide for yourself what you think and feel about a given subject. With that said, whatever you believe, I will play “devil's advocate” to help you to think of all sides of an issue. If I do this right, you will never quite know what I really believe on an issue.

I believe in stories.  I believe that by connecting content with stories, the information will be more relatable and more memorable. I won’t waste your time with random stories but rather challenge you to engage with concepts thru story.

Her methods of teaching set me up to succeed in all of my speeches and left me feeling very prepared. Student Evaluation 2021.

I loved that the class actually made me a better public speaker, which I didn't expect. I used lessons I learned in the class in other classes. I specifically learned how to make effective presentations and how to time my speeches and cut them down to appropriate length. I have grown in confidence as a speaker. I loved that your teaching style was more conversational and allowed students to interact despite the online interface. Student Evaluation COVID Remote Semester 2021.

She's been a really good teacher, and one that I can say is very invested in the class. She definitely knows her stuff and is dedicated to making the students know it too. Student Evaluation  Fall 2019.

Your passion for teaching and methods of teaching makes me wish that every teacher I've had and every teacher I will have in the future is similar to you. I wish all of my friends and more people, in general, take your course, so they can actually see what a good teacher looks like. Your teaching style really made it easy to get to know each other and be comfortable with one another. Student Evaluation May Intercession, 2019.