Classroom Speakers Information for Educators
Program Overview | How it Works | Getting Started |
FAQs for Educators
Program Overview
The UpLink Classroom Speakers program connects area educators with volunteer speakers who can share details about their professions, bring relevance to subjects being taught in classrooms, stimulate student thinking and enlighten students about a wide range of careers. Classroom lessons become more authentic when bolstered with real-world experiences of caring adults.
How It Works
Through the Classroom Speakers online database, speakers can post information about their presentations, availability and preferred age groups and school districts. Teachers can then access the database throughout the year to review speaker profiles and book speakers, allowing the matching process to occur online.
Getting Started
1. Register on this web site.
2. Search the database for available classroom speakers.
3. Book the classroom speaker who will add the most value and relevance to your curriculum.
The Program Overview, How it Works and Getting Started sections are also available as a downloadable PDF. For more information, call 816.842.7082.
FAQs for Educators
Q: What do classroom speakers do?
A: Classroom speakers visit Greater Kansas City area schools to bring lessons to life through presentations.
Q: How long are presentations?
A: Presentations vary in length. Classroom speakers post the lengths of their presentations, along with other details, in the online Classroom Speakers database.
Q: What topics do classroom speakers speak on?
A: Classroom speakers speak on a variety of topics that are academic, career-related, research-based and motivational.
Q: Does my district participate in the Classroom Speakers program?
A: Visit uplinkthefuture.org for a list of districts that participate in the UpLink program. If your district is not an UpLink Partner, encourage district officials to sign up by calling YouthFriends Central at 816.842.7082 or 913.322.1401.
Q: Is training provided for classroom speakers?
A: All classroom speakers must attend a Classroom Speakers orientation.
Q: What kind of screening process is involved in the Classroom Speakers program?
A: All applicants must pass a quadruple background check before participating in the Classroom Speakers program.
Q: How do I get started in the Classroom Speakers program?
A: Visit uplinkthefuture.org and register in the Classroom Speakers database to begin searching for available presentations.
Q. How do I book a classroom speaker?
A. All bookings take place in the Classroom Speakers database. Registered users can search through the available presentations and follow the prompts to book the desired speaker.
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