2015 Community Partner in Education Award

 

Pat Buckley and the Waukesha Noon Rotary Club To Be Honored

     Pat Buckley and The Waukesha Noon Rotary Club are the recipients of the Waukesha Education Foundation's 2015 Community Partner in Education Award.  This year's Celebration of Excellence will be held on Sunday, October 25 at Waukesha West High School.      Established in 1997 and spearheaded by Pat Buckley, the Waukesha Rotary-Student Speaker Leadership Program aims to help students develop self- confidence and leadership abilities.   Fourth, fifth and sixth grade students are given opportunities to hone their public speaking skills by making presentations to Rotarians during their club meetings.  Rotarians play an invaluable role, coaching students as they prepare and practice their presentations.  
       
 
     In its beginning, the Waukesha Rotary Club worked in partnership with students from Whiterock Elementary School.  With the closing of Whiterock in June 2012, students are currently identified through Hadfield Elementary School.  The program follows its students through middle school and high school including:   Butler Middle School, South High School, Les Paul Central Middle School and Horning Middle School.    In addition to the speeches at the Waukesha Noon Rotary Club, the high school students present at the Waukesha Toastmasters Club annually.  Toastmasters is an international accredited speakers program.
     What impact does this program have on its participants, their parents, teachers and the schools?  In the initial stages, an evaluation was completed by an outside consultant.   The results reported by the students, teachers and parents include:
  • 70% of the students felt more confident talking to adults
  • 60% of the students felt more comfortable speaking in class
  • 70% of the students talk to their parents about the program
  • 90% of the students indicated that the program was useful to them
  • Students in the program have improved their vocal skills, reduced nervousness and improved writing and speaking skills.  Students claimed that the skills they have been taught in the program could be used in school and in talking with other people and their parents.
  • 90% of parents indicated the program helped their children.  Parents described improvement in their child’s interest in learning, more enthusiasm, and comfort in talking to other people.
  • Teachers identified that the students gained self-confidence and improved writing and speaking skills.  The children felt important, less shy and more assertive.
     The Rotary Student Speaker Leadership Program is a local example of how Waukesha Rotarians make significant contributions to the quality of life in the community and around the globe.