Engaging Workshops That Help Students Find Their Voice

Both workshops are designed for students in Grades 7–12 and can be adapted for individual or mixed-grade classes. Speaking with Confidence can also be offered to college students, educators, and other adult or specialty groups. Write Your Story may be suitable for college students and select specialty groups. Contact Chris to discuss whether a workshop is appropriate for your audience.

Write Your Story introduces students to free verse and spoken-word poetry through live performance, storytelling, and creative activities. It shows students that poetry can take many forms while exploring writing as a meaningful and therapeutic form of self-expression.

Speaking with Confidence focuses on helping students manage public-speaking anxiety, improve their delivery, and feel more comfortable communicating in front of others. Both workshops help students find their voice, but they approach that goal through different skills and experiences.

Both programs are offered as interactive, in-person workshops for regular class-sized groups of up to approximately 30 students. Keeping the groups small creates a more comfortable environment for participation, questions, and hands-on activities. Large auditorium-style presentations are not currently offered.

Write Your Story and Speaking with Confidence are each one hour long. Schools may book more than one session during the same day, subject to scheduling and availability. Each session is delivered as a complete one-hour program and is not currently offered in shortened, half-day, or full-day formats.

Chris offers school workshops in Nova Scotia from October through June. Chris is based in Halifax, and dates outside HRM are coordinated with his existing travel schedule, so availability in some regions may be limited.

Bookings outside Nova Scotia may also be considered, although travel expenses may apply. All dates are confirmed directly with the school before a booking is finalized.

Schools should provide a projector or screen, access to a whiteboard or flip chart, and a teacher or staff member who remains in the room throughout the workshop. Tables or desks are encouraged, and access to speakers can enhance the experience, but neither is required.

Setup is minimal. Chris typically arrives 10–15 minutes before the workshop to connect to the projector and prepare the room.

Each one-hour workshop costs $100 plus HST. The price is the same for Write Your Story and Speaking with Confidence.

There is normally no additional travel fee for Nova Scotia bookings scheduled alongside Chris’s planned travel. Travel costs may apply to out-of-province bookings or special requests outside HRM that require separate travel. Any additional costs will be discussed before the booking is confirmed.

Complete the workshop request form with your school, preferred workshop, location, and possible dates. Submitting the form is an expression of interest rather than a confirmed booking. Chris will follow up directly to discuss availability and finalize the details. Schools are also welcome to contact Chris by email.

No deposit is required. Payment is due within two weeks of the workshop date and can be made by cheque, cash, e-transfer, or credit card.