Connecting with Guest Speakers

• Use Skype in the Classroom: This site houses a huge database of individuals willing to present in your classroom. Individual authors, museums, parks, and many other experts are listed on this site and are accessible when you sign up for a free account. Since we are in a quarantined society, some of the museums, zoos and parks may not have a guide on site for a visit with your class. On the other hand, authors and experts may be more readily available during this time. Don't worry about using the calendar on this site to schedule a Skype visit, use the contact information listed to contact the individual or organization and ask if they are willing to do the visit and use the Google Hangout/Meet platform.

• Ask an author: If your students have an author they love, contact that author and ask the question. You can almost always find a website with contact information or private message that author on a social media platform.

• Community Members and Parents: If you are looking for an experience to bring home a theoretical concept, take a look at people in your community or even parents of students in your class. Imagine a math unit coming to life as you talk to a parent on a construction site about the importance of measuring. Imagine interviewing a parent who works in the healthcare industry about precautions we can all take to stay healthy.

• Colleges, Universities and Technical Schools: Teachers, professors and even students in these institutions can provide a wealth of information about programs that they are studying, skills they are developing and the day to day life of a student.

• Code.org: We all know this coding-giant website, but did you know that they can help you connect with guest speakers? Take a look at the link to find a guest speaker who will inspire your class to code and problem solve.

• Begin with the End in Mind: You can find resources anywhere and you can contact anyone via email and social media. Think about the experience you want your students to have and the content you want them to learn. You can contact anyone to enhance the learning experience.