Speaking, Workshops & Trainings

Speaking, Workshops & Trainings

Paddy offers a variety of both trainings and seminars. Click on the links below to learn more.

General Interest TopicsService Organizations Education and Parent Groups General Presentation Topics


Comments on Presentation from Cathy Baran, Parent Chairperson of MIT (Madrona Integrated Team), Edmonds, WA

“Thank you, Paddy, for speaking to our school’s parent community and teaching us to be more effective volunteers in the classrooms.   Our parents are now equipped with a good set of tools to better relate to our children, aide our teachers and improve student learning.   The interactive approach you take in your presentation was both engaging and solidified your concepts.”


General Interest Topics

Questioning, Thinking, and Listening Strategies that Work
Empower your own success through the use of higher level skills

Communication Skills that Produce Results
Improve your skills through effective, easy-to-use speaking/listening ideas

Exploring the Ways We Learn
One size or one way doesn’t work for everyone

So Much to Do, So Little Time and Money To Do It
Ways volunteers can ease the load

It Takes a Village: Community Volunteer Involvement Matters
The top 12 ways volunteers make an important difference

Education’s Top Three Critical Issues
Budgets, testing and classroom scrutiny

The 9 P’s: Keys to Effectively Managing a Group
Basic training to create dynamic group leaders

Service Organizations

Stop The Disappearance of The Arts in Classrooms
Volunteer support enables schools to retain the arts and other enhancements

Create Outstanding Group Leaders
Ideas and skills practiced by effective group leaders

The 9 P’s: Keys to Effectively Managing a Group
Basic training to create dynamic group leaders

Exploring the Ways We Learn
One size or one way doesn’t work for everyone

Community Support for the Crucial Learning Years
Inviting the community to partner with educators to strengthen young learners skills

So Much to Do, So Little Time and Money To Do It
Ways to impact schools without increased spending

The ABCs of Volunteerism
Two dozen ways volunteers bring value to schools

Education and Parent Groups

Community Support for Crucial Early Learning Years
Inviting the community to partner with educators to strengthen young learners skills

How Volunteers and Assistants Enhance Student Learning
Uncovering the value of extra hands in classrooms

Work Smarter not Harder
Enhanced student learning through adding trained assistants into classrooms

So You Think You Want Volunteers in Your Education Program?
Ten tips to build a strong assistant program

Bridge the Connection Between Home and School
Ideas to keep information flowing between parents and teachers

Education’s Top Three Critical Issues
Budget, testing and classroom scrutiny

What’s a Parent To Do?
Ten tips for becoming a volunteer in your child’s classroom/school

Exploring the Ways We Learn
One size or one way doesn’t work for everyone

So Much to Do, So Little Time and Money to Do It
Ways volunteers can ease the school spending

Spelling Out the Value of Volunteers
Ten words that share our appreciation for classroom assistants

Presentation Topics

Select a Workshop and Customize the Content:**

Educators — What you need to know to begin using Adult Assistants.

  • Establish the value of Adult Assistants.
  • Learn effective ways to recruit and utilize Adult Assistants.
  • Learn innovative techniques to organize your Adult Assistants.
  • Organize strategies for training your Adult Assistants.
  • Discuss program-specific concerns and needs.

Adult Assistant/Volunteer Team — What you need to know to effectively assist teachers and help students succeed.

  • Learn how to effectively communicate with teachers and students.
  • Learn to optimize your preparation for working in the classroom.
  • Discuss classroom do’s and eliminate the don’ts.
  • Discuss program-specific concerns and needs.

Educational Staff and Volunteer Team — Work together to optimize student success through small groups.

  • Learn productive ways to communicate and work together.
  • Learn effective organizational skills for optimum time management.
  • Learn techniques and skills based on Educator and Adult Assistant workshops mentioned above.
  • Discuss program-specific concerns and needs.

Individual or Small Group Follow-up Sessions — Customized support for educational staff and/or Adult Assistants as requested.

** Workshops may include the book, Educating America: 101 Strategies for Adult Assistants in K-8 Classrooms and/or Educating America Desktop Flipbook.

Fees may apply and vary based on number of participants and number and length of contracted sessions.

Publications Available 

Educating America: 101 Strategies for Adult Assistants in K-8 Classrooms – a book of classroom-tested strategies and ideas for using volunteers. Available from independent booksellers, online book sellers, as a book and an e-book, Follett booksellers and through this website.

Educating America Desktop Flipbook – a handy reminderfor teachers, volunteers, and classroom assistants working with small groups. Available from independent booksellers, online as a book and an e-book, and through this website.

Educating America- Getting Started: A Teacher’s Planning Guide for Including Adult Assistants -practical ideas on how to organize for and train adult helpers into a classroom. Available only through this website or by contacting paddyeger@aol.com