Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Sabrina Rocking the Microphone!

 Super Star Sabrina Rocking the Microphone!
2004 Sabrina Denise Raftery Rocking the Microphone during my Endicott College Graduate School Arts & Learning Opening.

"I was a shy kid with a broom handle that I pretended was a microphone".
Patti LaBelle

ABC's Public Speaking Workshop!

ABC's of Public Speaking Workshop

http://saugus.advocatenews.net/sherri-rafterys-public-speaking-workshop-at-spl-a-success/

Sherri Raftery’s Public Speaking workshop at SPL a success


January 6, 2012   By Saugus News

On Wednesday December 21, 2011 at the Saugus Public Library Sherri Raftery, M. Ed. presented an interactive ABCs of Public Speaking Workshop to a diverse group of people who came from Saugus and surrounding towns of Lynn, Swampscott, Malden and Everett Massachusetts to learn tips and tricks that will help them speak in front of large and small audiences.

Sherri invited each person to come to the front of the room,” Take Center Stage” and speak, then she provided them with valuable feedback, encouragement and constructive evaluations to help them feel more confident and improve their speaking and presentation skills.

If you missed it you can make this your 2012 New Year’s Resolution and attend the “ABC’s of Public Speaking Workshop” on Tuesday January 31, 2012 at the Saugus Public Library from 6:30PM-8:00PM.

Here are some testimonials from those who attended:

“Sherri, I thought your ABC’s of Public Speaking program last night was great!! I had positive feedback today from Ann Condon who also enjoyed it and we should definitely set up some more programs for 2012”. Diane Wallace, Director, Saugus Public Library.

“Sherri was awesome! She had great individual advice and excellent mannerisms in communicating her ideas on public Speaking” “I will follow the advice of not dancing on stage”. Zach Duca, College Student, Saugus

“Sherrri was calm and positive, she made me feel at ease…please have this again in January” Debbie Ann, Children/Student Advocate, Malden

“Good Excel presentation, worth the time”. Wayne Brooks, Saugus Town Meeting Member, Saugus,

If you would like to learn more about improving your public speaking skills Sherri Raftery can be reached at: rafterysher@aol.com or 978-235-2035

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Malden High School Oral Communications Classes Nov 2011

On Tuesday November 29, 2011 I was the guest speaker for Mrs. Razzino's Oral Communications Classes.

"Sherri is a great presenter, I loved how she was very enthusiastic about everything. She really makes me want to pay attention, Very social"! Rodney B. (second period)



"I think Sherri is a good speaker who knows how to engage with the audience well, she is humorous and has great credentials as well".   Jacqueline B. (first period)

Here is Mrs. Razzino's Thank You/Testimonial Letter:  November 30, 2011

Dear Sherri,

Thank you again for giving my classes your time. Your presentation today to both of my Oral Communication classes was “right on” you touched upon everything I having been saying in class especially the question the outline and 3 X 5 note cards. It is nice to have an adult from the work world reinforce the necessary items for good public speaking. Your use of the cards for the ice breaker in each class worked very well. My students liked the interaction of the entire class getting into motion. I know at first they were rather sluggish, but at the end they really picked up steam about “taking center stage” and giving it their best shot.

They are also amazed that a real adult will take the time to come to class and work with them. Sometimes I think students believe that what they do in class has no “real world” value. Today you showed them the complete opposite.

We spent 20 minutes of class time today discussing your visit and I am happy to say that you rejuvenated my students’ interest in becoming better speakers. I am hoping that their next presentation will bear out all you reinforced for them.

Here are some reactions they had after a night of sleeping on the experience. I know they gave you feedback on your survey but here is more for you to savor.

“I liked Sherri’s introduction, she was smiley and relaxed”


“The ice breaker was a lot of fun, at first I didn’t want to do it, then I did”


" liked being introduced at front of room, shaking hands was nice, and talking off the top of my head was fun”

“I didn’t think I would like listening, but I did”

Thank you again for spending two class periods with my students. I know they have gained a good deal from your talk, and they had fun to boot. That is a great combination. I cannot believe how fast our time together went. I do hope that we can call on your again. It is always a pleasure and I know my students get so much out of your desire to help them become better speakers.

Sincerely, Karen Razzino, Business Technology Dept. Oral Communications

These note cards were designed by the art students and presented to me by Mrs. Razzino's Oral Comm Classes!  Great Art Students/Great Oral Communication Class Students! Nice gift and wonderful testimonials - read more below!  I always look forward to presenting Public Speaking Skills to the Malden High School Students! Thank you again for the invitation Mrs. Razzino!
--------

MORE  testimonials from Mrs. Razzino's Oral Communications Classes:.

First Class


“I think Sherri is a very good speaker who knows how to engage with the audience well.
 She is humorous and has great credentials as well”.  
 Jacqueline B.

“Sherri is very interesting and not boring in any way, very helpful, smart, just a great presenter".  David, S

"Sherri was awesome, I learned so much about being confident
and comfortable when taking center stage". 
Cristina D.

"I think Sherri is funny, socially active and extremely open-minded.
The way she moved while speaking really added to her speech".  
Jeffery L.


Second Class


"Sherri is a great presenter; I loved how she was very enthusiastic about everything.
She really makes me want to pay attention, very social".   
Rodney B.

I enjoyed Sherri coming to our class to talk to us. I like the tip trying
not to use filler words “um” when I am speaking".  
 Joshi Y

"I think Sherri gave very good and helpful tips that will be useful".  
Khris

"Sherri is a great speaker and funny. I will be more confident after today’s presentation
 because she had us all bonded together and we had fun doing the exercises".  
Qayana Clayton

"Everything Sherri did was awesome and I say thank you". 
 Louis

"Sherri is a very interesting person which caught my attention. I feel more
confident because she was able to give me feedback right after I presented".   
 Yanet V.

"I like how Sherri gave good eye contact , she is very interesting and
very funny and she helped me with everything I needed".    
Regine E

"Sherrri was absolutely amazing and it was great to have her here in class with us today. 
 I understand more clearly what makes an effective presentation".   
 Joviana M.

"Sherri is a good speaker and she is really good at making a connection".  
 Hiro.

"Sherri was very helpful with presentation and I feel more
confident and I will use tips of not using filler words".   
Gifty

"After today’s presentation, I feel more confident about getting in
front of others,  especially because of Sherri’s advice".   
 Emmanuella

"I think Sherri is a good speaker and she says things well and has good coordination.
I like her advice about taking center stage and the more you get use to it and
to use words differently to sound more intelligent".   
Carmen F

"Sherri did amazing, I think she covered everything and I like the tip about
using hand motions and props to keep the listener interested".   
 Rayana Blundell

"Wonderful Job, You gave me a lot of confidence boost.
Next time I present I will give a back story".  
 Simon

"Sherri was very fun and loud. I liked her as a presenter a lot".  
 Gionvannie L.

"Sherri provided very helpful feedback and was very friendly. She is a good interacter
 with the audience". I feel a little bit more comfortable after today’s presentation.  
I learned a little bit more and more valid examples were made.
 I will use tips of not swaying back and forth and filler words". 
Nygiga P.

"Sherri was a big help, she demonstrated new techniques to help me when presenting,
I learned new ways to be more confident about standing in front of an audience
and to show body language at the appropriate times".    
Alex

"I feel more comfortable about getting in front of others and speaking because
of the guest speaker did it really well and the feedback she gave to others made
me think  on what to do and what not to do for my next presentation".   
Karen.

"You’re really good at talking and explaining the details.
 I felt really great and confident when going in front of everybody".   
Ashley F.

"Sherri was a very enthusiastic woman which is great and knows how to
speak to people and pronounces her words. She was confident and gave
useful tips like how to stand correctly and not use filler words when to pause".   
Joe P.

"I felt I learned a lot more about presenting in front of a group of people.
It was great. Sherri did all she could and knew what she was doing.
She is a very confident person and I love her laugh".  
Chantea H

=============================================



Communication:

Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast distances in time and space. Communication requires that the communicating parties share an area of communicative commonality. The communication process is complete once the receiver has understood the message of the sender.


Oral Communication
Oral communicationOral communication, while primarily referring to spoken verbal communication, typically relies on both words, visual aids and non-verbal elements to support the conveyance of the meaning. Oral communication includes discussion, speeches, presentations, interpersonal communication and many other varieties. In face to face communication the body language and voice tonality plays a significant role and may have a greater impact on the listener than the intended content of the spoken words.in oral communication it is face to face that's why we got to know the others reaction . and we immediately got the feedback








Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Handsome Blue Afghan!


This is an afghan that I crocheted for a friend and it looks like he is putting it to great use! VERY HANDSOME - eh?

I have started another one and am almost done with another one for friends cabin in New Hampshire. Will post photo when it is complete!

Afghan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_(blanket)

Crochet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocheting

Girl Gone Geek!

Happy 2011 Halloween Sabrina is a GIRL GONE GEEK here!

HappY 14th BdaY Sabrina!

Some of the cast members went to Friendly's after an OLIVER Performance and we had my nephew Patrick (my brother's son) wait on us and they came over and sang to Sabrina and handed her a FREE Sundae card that some of the waiter's signed.




Sabrina turned 14 on Monday November 14th! Happy 14th!

Theatre Co. of Saugus OLIVER!

Sherri, Michael (up & coming SuperStar!), Amanda (TCS President), Kosi, Molly, Yesenia, Kathy





Oliver was an amazing production with the Theatre Co. of Saugus. I met and friended new peeps and also reconnected with former peeps. I was happy that Sabrina worked back stage but hope that she tries to "Take Center Stage" for our next Holiday Show and 12 Months of Music Revue. Auditions were last nite and are next Tuesday.



See the little superstar in front with the black top hat and blue coat - Michael S? He played the Artful Dodger and is an amazing amazing singer and performer! He hit all his marks, new all his lines and sang all of his lyrics - incredibly impressive!



Last year my daughter Sabrina went on a field trip with her school at the time (St. Pius V) to see Joseph and the Amazing Techincolor Dream Coat. Sabrina came home and expressed how well she thought the lead singer who played Joseph (Michael S.) did. If Sabrina is impressed then I too am impressed. Well, at the Oliver auditions I finally met Michael and now I am REALLY impressed!


Let me just say this on the record now - Michael is a star and could very well become a professional star if he keeps going as he is! I told his parents that if I ever had a son - he is the son that I would be proud to have because in addition to performing he is also a three seasoned athelete (plays baseball and hockey on three hockey leagues !), does well academically (just earned a Math award) and to top all of this off is a very down to earn kid with a great personality, sense of humor and EVERYBODY loves him! APPLAUSE & BRAVO!


But let me also say that I am proud of my daughter and I support what she choses to do too!