Become an Effective Presenter

Complement Your Message With an Impressive Delivery

Use these public-speaking strategies to help you shape a strong presentation:

Arrive Early
Be the first to arrive. Greet teachers and introduce yourself to people you don’t know. Establishing a rapport with your audience will create a more comfortable atmosphere and will help you to feel less surprised by a large crowd.

Dress Professionally
Wear clothing that allows your peers to focus on your remarks, not your attire. Also, wear your NBCT lapel pin – it symbolizes your accomplishment. You can call 1-800-22TEACH to order your pin.

Connect with the Audience
Establish eye contact with your audience and smile. Let the audience see your personal connection you have to the information you are sharing. Assist them in identifying with you by sharing personal stories and anecdotes about your experience.

Talk, Don’t Lecture
Present yourself as a colleague, rather than a person who comes from outside of the group. Some tips to consider:

•  Eliminate the use of professional jargon
• Use statistics sparingly
• Never use more than two numbers in a sentence and try to express your data in terms of percentages (e.g., 50 percent, two out of three, etc.
• Make generous use of personal anecdotes, examples of major points to be shared and your own positive experiences with certification
• Stress the benefits of the process and any doors that have opened for you as a result of achieving certification

Vary the Pitch and Speed of Your Voice
Let your enthusiasm for National Board Certification show! The most memorable or convincing NBCTs are those who speak naturally, from the heart.

Use Appropriate Body Language
Use your hands, face and upper body to express your excitement and add animation to your remarks. Avoid defensive stances such as crossing your arms or placing your hands on your hips.

Be Brief
In general, limit your own remarks to 20 minutes. Most people have short attention spans and it is important to allow time for questions.

Enjoy Yourself
You have an important message and mission. If you appear comfortable and are enjoying yourself, your audience will too.

Use Audio & Visual Aids
Audio/visual aids such as charts, videos, or multimedia presentations can be useful, but only use them if they enhance the understanding or impact of your remarks.

Create Handouts
Let teachers know about the support groups available in your district or state that will mentor them through the process. Consider providing a handout with names and contact information. It may even be helpful to have these facilitators contact the potential candidates. Download official NBPTS Publications.

Plan Your Next Steps
Follow the meeting with a phone call or an email to answer any questions they may have. You might say something like:

"I hope you have had a chance to review the information I shared with you last week. Are there any questions I can answer to help you make your decision about candidacy?”

Many teachers may not opt to become candidates right away. However, your respect for their decision may influence their attitude toward the process in the future. Encourage reluctant teachers to use this school year to prepare for candidacy by familiarizing themselves with the standards. In a few months, reach out to them to see how they are doing and how you can help.