Joanne Knowlton

Why should youth learn public speaking and communication skills? Because it prepares them for a successful life! It teaches them to push past their fears. It builds self-confidence. It gives them the tools they need to deliver a memorable message.

Your child will be speaking to influence others for the rest of their lives. From giving school presentations to selling themselves at a job interview, they will be speaking! The sooner your child starts developing public speaking skills, the more prepared they are for life.

Over the past six years I have taught public speaking skills to hundreds of students in Toronto from grades 2 to 12. During this time, I have seen and heard more than one thousand speeches. In the course of this work, I have developed over 80 hours of unique and varied public speaking skills curricula that teaches students speech writing and presentation skills while challenging them to take risks.

During my 25 years of work experience in corporate sales it was my effective speaking skills and the power of persuasive communication that helped me meet and exceed my performance targets. I am a lifelong learner and a 10-year member of Toastmasters International where I have won numerous motivational and impromptu speaking contests. I have a B.A. from the University of Western Ontario and a Certificate in Teaching Adults from George Brown College.