To Shirlee Dufort, the word "community" in Schenectady County Community College is especially significant, not only as an indicator of the school's mission and location but also as an essential feature of her classroom.

"In a supportive atmosphere, students are more likely to take risks, often surprising themselves with how capable they are. An emphasis on community means that instruction doesn't stop at lecturing to students; rather, a rich learning environment is co-created by the exchange of ideas among the group."

One of Dufort's aims is to dispel the notion of the "natural speaker." While she concedes that some of us are more outgoing than others, anyone can learn the basic tools of public speaking. The secrets (and they aren't really secrets at all) are to connect with the audience and to practice, practice, practice.

Another goal of the course is the development of critical listening skills. "How often are we called on to speak publicly in comparison to how often we could benefit from really listening? Once students have taken this class, they understand much more about the power of words and the art of persuasion, which helps them to be more conscious consumers, whether of commodities or ideas."

"Saturday mornings can be a tough time to get up and out to class, so we keep the energy level high and keep things moving. And while we work hard, we also smile, laugh, and enjoy the connections we're making with one another."

Thanks, Shirlee, for your enthusiasm!