Coaching

Private Sessions, Coaching & Script Review

Academy for Public Speaking President and Founder Kathleen Petrone, Distinguished Toastmaster

Kathleen Petrone, Distinguished Toastmaster, President & Founder of the Academy for Public Speaking

Private sessions are an excellent way for children and adults to increase their confidence as they prepare for contests, presentations, and interviews for private school, college, medical school, internships, and employment opportunities.

Additional areas of focus include improving confidence, overcoming extreme shyness, developing conversation and social skills, and making friends.

Academy for Public Speaking graduates have won over $40,000 in cash prizes and scholarships. We help contestants prepare to compete in contests such as the Optimist International & Toastmasters International World Championships of Public Speaking.


Private Sessions



Contest Coaching

“Kathleen joined me at the Toastmasters International Convention, where 89 contestants from 82 countries assembled to compete for the coveted title of World Champion of Public Speaking. I was getting ready to speak in front of the international audience of 2,500 people. Excitement was at its peak. Nerves were strung high. And the skill of staying cool under pressure was put to the test.

Kathleen acted as my personal stylist and speaking coach, listening to my speech over and over again, giving me final suggestions in the hours leading up to the contest. Kathleen became a dear friend who inspired, supported, and cheered me on.” Mila Diamond, Toastmasters International Speech Contestant, 2013

Academy for Public Speaking student won 1st place and a $4,500 scholarship in the 2014 Lions Club Student Speakers Contest!

Alex won a $4,500 scholarship in the 2014 Lions Club Contest!

“Personal coaching sessions have helped our son with all aspects of speaking – vocal variety, enunciation, emotion, facial expressions, hand gestures, body language, staging, and much more! In the end, Kathleen produced a competitive winning speaker.

Our son won a $4,500 scholarship in the 2014 Lions Club Student Speakers Contest!” Maria & Matt Danilowicz

To schedule private sessions, please use the link below or contact the Academy for Public Speaking.


Contest Coaching



Script Review

The fee for a one time script review is $100. The fee for a script review with up to two revisions is $150. Script reviews are included with private coaching sessions.


Script Review



Academy for Public Speaking President & Founder Kathleen Petrone, Distinguished Toastmaster

Academy for Public Speaking President & Founder Kathleen Petrone, DTM

“I am very excited about the Academy for Public Speaking courses and how they help teens and pre-teens build confidence. I have seen how inspired Kathleen and her instructors are in regard to teaching and public speaking. The Academy for Public Speaking courses have so much to offer students. I had the pleasure of co-teaching with Kathleen for two years.  She is an excellent teacher who is devoted to educating and building confidence in her students.

I have also seen Kathleen exhibit strong leadership skills as a member of Toastmasters International. Kathleen is highly motivated, organized, and thorough. Her many years of experience as an educator coupled with her active participation in Toastmasters make her the perfect person to educate and build teen and pre-teen confidence in public speaking.”   Angela Giammatteo, Education Specialist for San Diego Unified School District, Member of Toastmasters International