Toast of Jax Toastmasters

Teen Leadership

John Burton and Dan Sizemore of the Toast of Jax Toastmasters Club spent a day at Fruit Cove Middle School in December, 2009. They taught public speaking skills for the sixth grade Teen Leadership class taught by Mr. Hurst. Teen Leadership is a new class that focuses on leadership, interpersonal, public speaking and life skills.

Approximately 150 students learned more about what it takes to become a good communicator. Mr. Burton and Mr. Sizemore gave vivid examples of how to speak properly in front of a group and also how not to speak. Each presentation was done first very poorly with lots of mumbling and looking down at the ground. Next, the students were asked to comment on how the presenter could improve. After a second try, Mr. Burton and Mr. Sizemore told their same story in a much more entertaining and listenable manner. Then several students gave brief speeches to their class and received feedback from their classmates.

Toastmasters is an international organization dedicated to helping people improve their communication skills. The Toast of Jax Toastmasters Club meets every Saturday at 7:30am at the Ramada Inn in Mandarin. For more information call 806-0107 for more info.