Backstage Pass for Trainers, Facilitators, and Public Speakers

Susan Jones is a life-long educator, whose interest in best practice and research in teaching and learning led to a passion for effective communication. Actively facilitating and training education professionals, she also devotes much energy to keynote speaking, training trainers of adult audiences in presentation skills, and facilitating institutional change. She has presented to more than 20,000 people in the past decade alone. A leading expert on research-based classroom instruction and student achievement, she has helped educators translate research into practical strategies for teaching and learning. Her no-nonsense approach to instruction and leadership separates critical new research from speculation and skillfully presents the elements that positively impact achievement. She has served as past president of Florida ASCD, a member of the Board of Directors of ASCD, a trainer for the Bureau of Education and Research and has taught adjunct through four universities. Susan′s experience includes more than two decades of K-12 classroom teaching experience, as well as service as Director of Program Development for Illinois Regional Offices of Education. In addition to Blueprint for Student Success and Backstage Pass, Susan is a contributing author to two brain-research based books. She has authored numerous articles and columns dealing with strategies to improve achievement.

Preface and Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction
1. Preparation Precedes Success
Clear Communication: Exceeding Expectations
Questions and Answers
Minmizing the Chance for Misunderstanding
Tailoring Programs: One Size Does Not Fit All
Preparing Handouts
Organizing for a Relaxed Delivery
Do′s and Don′ts
2. Little Things Mean a Lot
Sleep for Efficiency
Eat for Sustained Energy
Dress for Success
Pack Light and Catch the Early Train
Questions and Answers
Packing Checklist
Sharing Book Resources
Heading off Equipment Trouble
Hydration - Wet Your Whistle to Whet Your Brain
Do′s and Don′ts
3. Lights, Camera, Action!
Readying the Facility
Materials
Start Before You Begin
Questions and Answers
Crutches to Stay Calm - and On Course
Room Set Up - The Good, The Bad, and The Adjustments
Seating Participants for Great Results
Distributing Handouts and Materials
Charts, Slides and Overheads
Grand Entrances
Do′s and Don′ts
4. Quick- Let ′Em Love You!
Gaining Acceptance
Building Audience Rapport
Vulnerability
Establishing Common Ground
Friendly is good, Familiar is Not
Acknowledging Knowledge and Know-How
Working Around Personal Quirks
Questions and Answers
Honoring Audience Expertise
Increasing Visibility
Changing an Audience′s Point of View
Agendas and Overviews
Introductions and Openers
Positive Communication
Do′s and Don′ts
5. Put Teeth into Your Technique
Purpose Drives Process
Question and Answers
Delivering the Main Course: Information, Skills and Message
Limiting Content
Reflections and Connections
Motivating an Audience
Generating New Thinking
Understanding: Taking the Road Less-Traveled
Non-Verbal Communication
Small Groups to Enliven Learning
Timing Group Work
Maintaining Involvement
Regaining Attention
Ensuring Active Participation
Tight Parameters to Ensure Success
Do′s and Don′ts
6. Enthrall ′Em All
Job I: Make Time Disappear
Infusing Excitement into Sessions
Variety as a Vehicle
Monitoring an Audience
The 1-2-3 Rule
Questions and Answers
Introductions Set the Tone
Change of State
Movement, More than a Sign of Life: The Glue for Learning
Energizers
Breaks
Putting Lecture In Its Place
Covering Volumes of Content: Alternatives Methods
Accountability in Group Work
Group Size
Visuals to Enhance Meaning
Directing Attention
Applying Content
Handling Questions
Do′s and Don′ts
7. Rave Reviews: Making Sure You Still Have an Audience Left After Break
Appeal
Fun
Comfort
Mystery
Finesse
Questions and Answers
When You Don′t Have the Answer
Building Fun Into Learning
Creating Physical and Emotional Comfort
Prizes and Rewards
Meaningful Mixers
Time and Organization
Handling Difficult Audiences
Humility
Setting Yourself Apart
Do′s and Don′ts
8. That′s a Wrap!
The LASTing Impression
Questions and Answers
The 3 Features of a Quality Closer
Audience Awareness of Session Gains
Review, Rehearsal, Application
Positive Endings
Do′s and Don′ts
9. Make it a Great Plant, Then Keep Weeding, Watering and Talking to It Sweet
Consistency - An Allusive Target
Inviting Improvement
Informal Feedback
Formal Feedback
Collegial Feedback
Do′s and Don′ts
References
Index