CONFIDENTIAL
Dear John:
First, I would again like to thank you for sharing your talent and expertise with us at our San Antonio Seminar July 10-13. NSPRA could not offer such a comprehensive Seminar without the commitment made by you and your colleagues each year.
Overall, you were part of an outstanding Seminar as 95 percent of those completing evaluations gave the San Antonio Seminar a ranking of good or excellent.
Following is your keynote’s evaluation. Only the NSPRA Board and staff will be reviewing this confidential information. In this year’s online format, an area was provided for comments, which have been included if any were entered for your session. We have not taken the time to correct the spelling/grammar of our members making those comments. Please note the number of participants who took the time to evaluate your session. It is normally much smaller than the number who actually attended. Also note, NSPRA members are known for their bluntness about what they like and don’t like. And, as you will see, they often cancel each other out, as criticisms about certain items are followed by praise of those same items. So like the Olympics, toss the worst and keep the best.
Again, I wish to thank you for your leadership in San Antonio.
Sincerely,
Rich Bagin, APR
Executive Director
Second General Session: Crucial Conversations About America’s Schools
John Draper, Ed.D., keynote
Excellent 114
Good 15
Fair 1
Poor 0
Comments:
· One of the best presenters I have ever had the opportunity to attend
· John is an amazing leader and storyteller. This was the second time to hear him and both times I have come away with ideas and a brighter outlook.
· John presented a powerful framework for talking about what you believe, using the language of the listener, and telling stories that bridge gaps. I was so impressed I waited in line to get his autograph and a photo with him. He wrote to me, "Keep sharing those stories." And I will.
· I wasn't sure I was going to like him at first, but the clapping exercise got my attention. He is so right about the importance of telling your story (the music of public schools). And, of course, the wrap-up story was a tear jerker!
· This guy was special. Memorable. The book was a great touch for those that want to go deeper. The presentation touched on so many essentials of our work and the challenges of our schools. I remember most how his examples... his instruction understood his audience. A surface conversation was not going to cut it. Good combination of message and technique.
· Awesome...excellent presenter...excellent session
· Great speaker!!
· I LOVED this speaker. I used his clapping exercise (illustrating the need to simplify what we think the community is hearing from us) in my school cabinet meeting. His heartfelt examples and practical advice made for a compelling presentation.
· He was wonderful! Enjoyed the clap game.
· John was fabulous and will be presenting at our state conference!
· The best I've seen at an NSPRA conference in the 11 years I have been attending! Inspiring, engaging, motivating...everything we need to get us fired up to tell the stories of our schools!
· I didn't attend because the Monday keynote was so long. I regret it because I heard it was excellent.
· If I could get John to speak at our COSPRA conference, I would be elated! I think he brought the whole audience to tears with his enlightening stories.
· This was one of the best keynotes I've seen over 10 different seminars. He was funny and moving, and he offered information that was truly valuable to his audience.
· Dr. Draper was an excellent presenter who did a great job in conveying his passion for public education. I look forward to reading his book!
· He gave this last year in Charlotte, but it was more effective this year with his interaction with the audience and I have shared with my superintendent who is a friend of his...He is VERY representative for us professional communicators and educators.
· Loved the address. Looking forward to reading the book. Great keynote!
· He was inspirational
· Fabulous. Can't wait to read his book. He makes so much sense!
· The concept of telling a story instead of just stating facts was terrific! Enjoyed receiving the book too!
· BEST PART OF THE CONFERENCE BY FAR! HE MADE ME CRY, IN A GOOD WAY.
· I like how he 'got' education because he was a former teacher and principal
· The best speaker I've heard in a long time. He engaged us throughout and had lots of key points for us to think about!
· Lots of energy and funny!
· John Draper's keynote was my favorite experience of the entire conference. Engaging, inspiring and funny!
· Sorry I missed this, heard it was EXCELLENT!
· Draper was spot on in speaking to my focus this year. I threw out a presentation script I had for a July 15 conference and regurgitated everything I learned from Draper.
· I have already used about a third of what he talked about in a session I did with our principals late last week. He and his excellent book are inspirations that will influence all that I do in the coming months.
· Thank you for the book!
· Laughed until I started to cry and then he had me almost in tears at the end. Thanks for the book!
· Relevant, funny and fast-paced. One of the best NSPRA keynoters ever. Only issue was some of the suggestions are what we've been doing in PR for years, "telling the good stories." That's not all we can do ... stories are great, but it hasn't won over a majority of our communities. Started reading Dr. Draper's book ... good stuff!
· Dr. Draper delivered an inspiring yet realistic message about our importance as school communicators and how we can make a difference. Listening to his invigorating and humorous presentation was a nice way to start the day.
· Can't wait to read his book!
· Here's a great example of being with a person who thinks how you think and speaks how you speak ... It's a bittersweet comfort to hear someone recognize the same 'myths' you experience. It was a very unifying talk.
· But I heard it was an excellent session!
· I laughed, I cried, I learned! He was the most powerful and entertaining speaker I've had the privilege to hear. His words still resonate in my heart and I've been moved to action by much of his message. Thank you so much for the complimentary book.
· Very entertaining and informative...excellent.
· John was inspirational and should be a resource for the organization.
· Inspiring!
· Every school PR person should hear him!
· Great presenter/entertainer. Not sure if his viewpoint is "old school"----we're doing great....just let us keep doing what we're doing.
· One of the best speakers I've ever heard. He had us laughing and crying.
· He had me in tears by the end. I didn't get a copy of his book, but I saw a lot of people who had it and it made me wonder if they gave them away for free because I didn't receive a copy.
· Thanks for the book!
· This was the highlight of the conference. AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!!
· Inspiring because he is one of us.
· This was a great session for Tuesday!
· This presentation was one of the highlights of the conference for me.
· Outstanding. Appreciated getting the book.
· I'd like to hire him to come speak to my district
· Dr. Draper was an excellent presenter who provided a great deal of information to think about and to use.
· Maybe the best NSPRA keynote speaker I've ever heard!
· HE WAS FABULOUS - what an excellent speaker! Would definitely recommend him to others!!!
· The best NSPRA presentation yet!
· Funny guy! Really appreciated getting the book.
· One of the best parts of this year's conference!
· Phenomenal! Great stories that had us all talking - Thanks so much for the book!
· On target!
· Very motivational. I'm already reading the book!
· Great speaker. Knew what he was talking about in specific terms.
· Thanks for the free book. He was spot on with practical strategies to counteract Ed Reform/Ed Bashing hype.
· Really enjoyed his presentation style and meaningful presentation.
· I don't care for motivational speakers (no matter how good they are) so I didn't attend. Please, please, please shift some workshops around so you provide alternatives for those who simply want to learn best practices.
· Absolutely inspiring!
· I heard some ladies discussing it in the elevator and was so sorry I missed it. They said it was fabulous.
· Amazing!!!!!
· Fantastic speaker, excellent message helping us rethink what and how we communicate about our public schools.
· Not coming from an American district, this would not have applied to me.
· Great information and John was extremely engaging. Thank you for the book!
· Right mix of humor, commentary, av, personal, and facts on a great, timely subject. We intend to invite him as a general session speaker at our conference next year. Nice touch offering his book for free.
· I saw his session last year but was equally inspired this year.
· It's all about the stories and reframing the message. We can't hear that enough.
· Dr. Draper was excellent and offered some real suggestions that I can put to use right away.
· In a word..."outstanding." Should have been kick off speaker.
Elaine Willis
Manager, Seminar and Programs
National School Public Relations Association
15948 Derwood Road | Rockville, MD 20855
Phone: 301-519-1230 | Fax: 301-519-0494
E-mail:
Website: www.nspra.org