Public Speaking Initiative
Charles Danhof Speaks at Chapel

“Know yourself. Know your audience. Know your material.” This was the advice of English teacher Charles Danhof, who spoke at Chapel on Thursday, September 22, regarding the importance of public speaking. Every seven years, Blair Academy undertakes a self-evaluation in order to begin the process of renewing its accreditation by the Commission of Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (Middle States). By selecting a protocol called Accreditation for Growth (AFG), Blair focuses on its goals for student growth. In response to this, last year Blair founded a public speaking committee which is headed by Mr. Danhof.

The public speaking committee has faculty representatives from every department ensuring that students receive homogeneous instruction in public speaking from every class, whether history, physics, or drama. Faculty use consistent vocabulary and utilize three rubrics to evaluate public speaking within the classroom. Using these guidelines, all students are encouraged to better their public speaking by focusing on a variety of skills including voice, body language and eye contact.

Students are engaged actively in this initiative. They seek feedback from faculty and peers regarding their announcements at school meeting and their projection within the classroom. As Mr. Danhof explains, “The goal is to keep the energy going. We want to make sure that every Blair student is a comfortable and confident public speaker by the time they graduate. This is an invaluable skill for students to have for college and for their careers.”

Posted 10/11/11

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