Introduction to Public Speaking: Speak With Confidence!

“Our actions may be impeded… but there can be no impeding our intentions or dispositions.  Because we can accommodate and adapt.  The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting.  The impediment to action advances action.  What stands in the way becomes the way.” - Marcus Aurelius 

What does it take to help your child develop the grit, resilience, emotional agility, and success mindset required to achieve their goals, dreams, and live a fulfilling life?  How can you help your children navigate an uncertain and ever-changing world in such a way that they know how to turn their fear into fuel, their obstacles into opportunities, and their doubts in unstoppable confidence?  

These are the questions that I’ve explored, researched, and coached around for the last twenty years.  Whether as a college professor at Tuskegee University, a counselor pursuing a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, or as a mindset coach and author of over 28 books, the core mission of my work in all of these fields is this- to uplift and change people’s minds about the greatness of their lives.  

I love to teach and coach around all things emotional intelligence (EQ) and mindset.  Having worked with thousands of clients over the last twenty years, it’s become clear to me that the need for EQ and mindset training starts at a very early age and should be a part of every school curriculum in K-12.  

My educational background includes a B.A. in Sociology from Vassar College, an MBA in Human Resource Management from Auburn University, an MEd in Instructional Design from Western Governors University as well as coursework in marriage and family therapy from Argosy University.  I am currently working towards my PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus on identity development and transformation throughout the adult lifespan. 

Over the years, I’ve taught a variety of classes in both traditional and non-traditional higher education.  Whether it was teaching Organizational Behavior, Principles of Management, Introduction to Entrepreneurship, or Human Resource Management at Tuskegee University or teaching Student Success and Servant Leadership at Utah Career College, I’ve enjoyed the adventure of teaching in-person within the traditional university setting.  I’ve also loved teaching online at a number of universities, including Empire State College and Briarwood College.  I’ve also leveraged my instructional design education to create a variety of Emotional Intelligence programs and asynchronous coursework for college students.  

As the author of books such as “You Can Do Hard Things”, “The 5 Myths of Motivation”, “25 Ways to Overcome the Fear of Failure”, and “Stop Waiting For Permission: 42 Ways to be the Powerful Creator of Your Best Life”, I love to write about the power of the human spirit, the ability we have, at any point, to create our best lives, and the simple, strategic, tactical strategies required to level up and become who we are meant to be.

I teach a variety of classes in the arenas of emotional intelligence (EQ), mindset, and focus.  

Here are some examples of the topics that may be covered in my classes:
*Deep Focus
*How to Succeed Without Motivation
*Goal Management
*Self-Compassion
*Transforming Fear into Fuel
*The Power of Positive Thinking
*Developing Grit
*The Four Quadrants of Emotional Intelligence
*From High School to College: An Emotional Intelligence Masterclass
*Leadership
*Introduction to Business
*Habits that Lead to Self-Discipline 
*Building Self-Confidence, Growing Self-Worth 
*Essential College Study Habits 
*The Power of Positive Self-Talk 
*Turning Obstacles into Opportunities 

My core teaching philosophy is simple: powerful, passion-filled, persistence-driven engagement with students helps them reconnect with the belief that, at their core, they know they are capable of MORE… which then leads to unstoppable success.  

My approach to teaching integrates appreciative coaching with the Socratic method.  I believe that, within each of us, are all the answers to all the questions we’re ever going to ask.  Life, then, is about asking the right questions so we’re able to receive and implement the right answers.  

I leverage powerful open ended questions in all of my classes.  As an introvert, I do not believe in forcing kids to talk who are not ready to.  Instead, I create an environment of psychological safety, allow for different approaches to engagement (ex: journaling, chatting, and talking) and seek to create a safe space where all of my students feel free to be themselves and are validated for doing so. 

In terms of class format, I prioritize group discussion over class lecturing.  

I look forward to working with your family and your student(s) as we boldly move in the direction of helping your child grow and learn how to create their greatest lives by developing a powerful mindset. 

On a personal note, I’m a person who feels like a cat with 9 lives- I started college at 16, was a college professor at the age of 22, was an actress in both NYC and LA, have been on a soap opera, pitched movies and television in Hollywood, and now live in a tiny, rural town in Wyoming where I am surrounded by the mountains, lakes and the sound of cows on a daily basis :) 

Thank you and I hope to see you soon!