At Minneapolis Junior-Senior High School, Mrs. McCullick’s speech class redefines traditional instruction by merging hands-on learning with academic rigor. Students recently completed their demonstration speeches—a project that challenged them to merge their own technical skills with the art of public speaking to educate others.
One standout moment came when the speech class visited the industrial arts workshop, where student Nolan Arnold demonstrated how to wire a pickup with lights. As he explained the process step-by-step, students saw a real-world example of technical learning. They could connect practical communication concepts such as sequencing, audience awareness, and clarity of communication with real-world applications. His demonstration was both engaging and educational. When asked about the presentations her students engaged in, Mrs. McCullick noted, “In speech class, students dive into their interests and share them with others, while also 'showing off' some of their skills and knowledge about these topics. During these demonstrative speeches, students have taught others how to rope, change a tire, write a song, do yoga, and so much more.”
Mrs. McCullick’s approach proves that the English Language Arts and Speech curriculum should not be confined to reading novels and writing essays. Her lessons are designed intentionally, drawing on students' strengths and interests to foster more profound understanding. By integrating technical subjects of personal interest to her students into her curriculum, she cultivates a classroom environment that values craftsmanship, critical thinking, and clear expression. It's a testament to how a passionate teacher committed to excellence can make communication and language come alive on paper and in real life.