Speaking with Confidence: A Public-Speaking Workshop for Students

Students experience live spoken-word poetry, personal storytelling, group discussion, and collaborative writing activities. Chris introduces free verse and spoken word, performs four to five original poems, and guides students through accessible warm-ups that build toward creating a line or two of poetry with their group.

No. Write Your Story is designed for students with all levels of interest and experience, including those who don’t consider themselves writers or believe poetry is for them. The activities introduce poetry in an approachable, low-pressure way and don’t require students to produce a complete or polished poem.

Students work collaboratively in groups, and sharing with the class is always voluntary. Students who feel comfortable may volunteer to share, while those who prefer not to write or participate directly are welcome to listen and observe.

Chris brings the mini whiteboards and other materials used during the activities. Students don’t need pens, paper, phones, tablets, or laptops.

Yes. All stories and poems are family-friendly, contain no profanity, and are selected with the students’ grade level in mind. Common themes include family, coming of age, inspiration, self-reflection, and different forms of love and connection.

Some poems may occasionally touch on topics such as mental health, grief, or relationships in an age-appropriate way. The poems and themes can vary between classes, and Chris carefully vets the material for each audience. The story about his experience on The Bachelorette is also presented in an age-appropriate, family-friendly way.

The school 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 speakers can enhance the presentation, but neither is required.

Chris brings the materials needed for the group activities and typically arrives 10–15 minutes before the scheduled start time for minimal setup. The activities are already designed to be accessible, and reasonable efforts will be made to include students with different learning, writing, speaking, or mobility-related needs.

Each one-hour Write Your Story workshop costs $100 plus HST, including additional sessions booked during the same school day.

Schools may also add copies of Chris’s poetry collection, Under the Big Oak Tree, for $10 per copy plus HST. There is no minimum order, and schools may purchase books for selected students rather than the entire class.

Books can be shipped in advance or brought on the workshop date. Orders typically require two to four weeks and can be included on the workshop invoice. Book orders must still be paid if the workshop is later cancelled.

Write Your Story is available in person to schools across 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 areas may be limited.

Out-of-province requests may also be considered, although travel expenses may apply. The workshop is not currently offered virtually or during the summer.

Schools can submit the workshop request form or contact Chris directly by email. Requests may include multiple sessions on the same day and can be submitted well in advance or for a nearer date, subject to mutual availability.

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

Cancellations made at least three days before the workshop carry no penalty. Cancellations within three days may incur a 20% fee unless the workshop is rescheduled. If Chris must cancel, the school will be offered a new date or a refund if payment has already been made. Refunds aren’t provided after services have been delivered in full.