about

 
 
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helping all students become successful communicators

 

According to the ELA State Standards for Speaking and Listening, all students are expected to become effective communicators. However, students typically don’t have the strategies to be successful. 

Our integrated approach builds confidence and reliable go-to strategies to apply in both formal and informal situations. Confident Classrooms is passionate about helping ALL students be successful communicators. 

Photo Credit: Story Box Art

Photo Credit: Story Box Art

 
 
Photo Credit: Corinne McCombs Photography

Photo Credit: Corinne McCombs Photography

 
 

meet Amy Furber-Dobson

Founder of Confident
Classrooms

“I was a quiet kid, a diligent student, and funny when around my friends. My classmates probably wouldn’t have known that about me unless they knew me outside of school. In high school I stumbled rather by accident into a public speaking class as an elective my senior year. I won several Lions’ Club speech competitions and the rest is history. I realized when I knew my subject and had time to prepare ahead of time I could excel and I loved it. I loved performing for an audience, making them laugh, think, and take action. In college I joined a nationally award winning speech team and found my place and my voice. I want others to find their voice. It is such a powerful gift within each of us. It brings me such joy to see it emerge. Let me help your students find theirs!”

Amy’s 25 years of teaching experience has included working with youth, teens, and adults as a Communication Coach, Executive Coach, college Communication Studies instructor, Co-Creator of an Advanced ESL program for adult learners, Literacy Program Coordinator, and Camp Director. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and French and a Master’s degree in Communication Studies. Amy lives with her family in the East Bay Area.


 
 
 
 

KWMR Radio interview

Amy sits down with KWMR Radio host Susannah Baldwin where they discuss the importance of public speaking, and strategies for everyone to use in order to become a more confident speaker.

 
 
 

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Sometimes listening to what my nine year old says I should wear is fun especially since I’m teaching sitting down ;) *yes that is a rock and set in the background.
With so much screen time these days it’s hard to remember how important the interpersonal interactions are. #communicationcoaching #virtuallearning #virtualteaching
Have you tried the Ivory soap experiment? 90 seconds in the microwave and it’s transformed. We might need more than 90 seconds, but I guarantee transformation. #communicationcoach #presentationskills #confidence
Communication coaching has been braided into my DNA over the years. Sometimes it takes a day like today to remember it’s a gift I should use. #useyourgifts #communicationcoach
When trying to come up with an idea do you ever get stuck? Try setting a timer. You might be surprised how just a couple of minutes can help. If you want more ideas on how to be efficient in your preparation, connect with me. #communicationcoaching,
Public speaking and communication in general can be stressful because it doesn't come naturally. But, like many things the more you practice the better you get. #confidence, #publicspeaking, #communicationcoaching
Kids can do impromptu speaking and it can be fun! #impromptuspeaking #confidence #confidentclassrooms
Public speaking can be fun! #publicspeaking #confidentclassrooms #confidence
This is the face of someone who got to teach kids how to use their voices #confidentclassrooms #publicspeaking #communication
Happy Halloween! #confidencecomeswithpractice #hairspray #80shairbands #confident
Today I’m teaching adults. Every time I work with adults I realize how valuable it would have been if they had had presentation skills as youth! #publicspeakingcoaching #publicspeakingforkids
So many people I’ve coached (especially adults) think effective speakers are naturally good. The reality is just like most things in life, to be good it takes practice. #publicspeakingcoaching #publicspeakingforkids
It’s easier to feel confident when you’re practicing together. Warmup activities are as important for public speaking as they are for sports. https://confidentclassrooms.org/ #publicspeaking #publicspeakingforkids @dinhsellshomes @kathr
Every exercise has a purpose, even ones with silly faces! To warm up before a lesson on hand gestures, this class had a great time exploring their own gestures by playing “Guess Who I Am” (charades). These games not only help students get
Grabbed this from a friend’s FB post. Seemed to fit pretty well when it comes to public speaking. The good news is preparing helps. #confidentclassrooms #confidencecomeswithpractice #publicspeaking #presentationskills #encouragement