Thirty students at Kent Gardens Elementary School in McLean, Virginia, are preparing to showcase their public speaking skills as part of an extracurricular program modeled after TED Talks. The group meets before school several times a month to practice and receive feedback from teachers and peers. On February 26, the students will present their talks to classmates, teachers, and families.
The topics chosen by the students vary widely. One fifth grader is set to discuss the importance of protecting Accotink Creek’s health. Another student aims to educate others about avoiding repetitive sports injuries. A third plans to share how playing the mobile game Clash Royale has influenced his outlook on life.
Sophia, a sixth grader who returned for another year in the program, said: “In fourth grade, my mom said, ‘You should do it!’ but I was too scared. I did it last year because my friends were, to be honest. But it’s helped me, and that’s why I’m back as a sixth grader. I have trust in myself, I’m not awkward in front of a crowd, and if we get assigned a presentation at school, I have confidence in myself to be the presenter.”
The public speaking initiative was started six years ago by Fourth Grade Teacher Lisa Waters. Initially attracting about 15 fifth and sixth graders each year, participation has since grown significantly. Waters expanded the program to include fourth through sixth grades and brought on fellow teacher Margaret Tuma as co-coach when demand increased.
“At our very first meeting, everyone said their names and why they joined. Every single kid said ‘My mom made me do it,’” Waters recalled. “That was the honest response. But over the years, we are now getting kids who are here because they were encouraged by other kids to participate, through word of mouth, or they attended the talks at night and wanted to be a part of it.”
Waters noted that interest has risen so much that participation is now capped at 30 students per session with both fall and spring offerings.
“I love seeing the connections made across grades between students, interaction between younger and older kids, with younger students listening to older ones,” she said. “They grow a lot in what they share, the stories they tell. We stress this is not just a presentation on your favorite athlete. We want to hear your message. Your story. Something that cannot be googled.”
Some presentations address personal issues such as mental health challenges faced by students like Fleur: “I got a lot of ideas from my therapist,” Fleur shared regarding her talk on anxiety and depression affecting herself and her family members.“I figured, why not talk about both of these things and share some ways to help people?”
“Part of my presentation was telling people that whenever anxious, it helps to think about something you love in the present that calms you,” she added.”Nothing about the future or the past.Something you love right now.That will always help.”
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) encourages those facing mental health challenges or crises—including anxiety or depression—to seek support from school counselors or social workers available at every FCPS school.If immediate assistance is needed,the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988,and local emergency services are also available.More information can be found via resources supporting student safety and well-being.
Other talks take lighter approaches.Carter,a fifth grader,presents lessons learned from playing Clash Royale:“It is a good game that can teach you life lessons,” he explained.“When I was playing baseball when I was younger and would get out,I used to cry;it was kind of sad.In Clash Royale,I’ve learned these games are so short that I can always make up a loss.Just like at recess football there’s always another chance to do better just around the corner.”
The TED Talks-style program supports Goal 2 of FCPS’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2030,focusing on creating safe,supported,included,and empowered environments while amplifying student voices.
Former participant Cedric—now a senior at Chantilly High School—said his involvement began because Ms.Waters was his homeroom teacher.“It was the first time I can remember doing a speech in front of an audience.Everyone was so nice;doing that in front of a big crowd was a huge confidence boost,and I was a pretty shy kid back then.”He credits his experience with sparking an interest in public speaking and debate throughout high school:“I learned how to research a topic form an argument,and put myself in front of a crowd…Even if you are shy like me when you see your friends do it,and you hype each other up,it’s a great experience all around.”
