Middle School Teachers Bring the Amazing Shake to Manhattan

The Amazing Shake is more than just an event; it's a transformative experience designed to equip young individuals with essential life skills. Originating as an initiative to bolster the confidence and social acumen of students, this program has grown into a nationwide phenomenon that emphasizes the importance of professional demeanor, effective communication and leadership abilities.

The Amazing Shake was pioneered by the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, with the mission to prepare students for success beyond the classroom. Recognizing the need for children to develop skills that aren't typically addressed in standard curricula, RCA designed the Amazing Shake to focus on etiquette, interviewing techniques and interpersonal skills. These are crucial for navigating the professional world and fostering a sense of self-assuredness in various social settings.

Susan B. Anthony Middle School (AMS) has brought the Amazing Shake to Manhattan, Kansas. Angie Miller and Casey Ewy, eighth grade teachers at AMS, hosted the first-ever event at AMS this spring. The Amazing Shake competition is divided into multiple rounds, each designed to test and enhance different facets of a participant's social and professional abilities.

1. Elevator Pitch: Students recorded a brief, persuasive speech to demonstrate their stance on cell phone usage in middle schools. The speech is so named because it was short enough to present convincingly during a brief elevator ride, typically lasting around 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The goal of an elevator pitch is to quickly convey the essence of a message, engaging the audience and leaving them wanting to know more.

2. Work The Room:  In this round, students engaged in a series of one-on-one interactions with professionals from various fields in the local community. This phase assesses how well they can hold a conversation, articulate their thoughts and respond to unexpected questions or topics.

3. The Gauntlet: In this final round, students rotated through a series of one-minute stations, each presenting a unique scenario requiring them to demonstrate formal skills such as an interview, informal skills such as conversation with an Uber driver, and performance tasks like a short talent demonstration such as conducting a cooking show. The AMS Gauntlet round was centered around the Little Apple and showcased locations and businesses around town.

The benefits of participating in the Amazing Shake extend far beyond the immediate competition. Students gain a significant boost in confidence and self-esteem by learning to present themselves effectively in any situation. The skills acquired through the Amazing Shake are invaluable in both personal and professional realms.

• Improved communication: Participants become adept at articulating their ideas clearly and confidently, an essential skill for any career path.
• Enhanced social skills: From making a strong first impression to engaging in meaningful conversations, students learn the nuances of effective social interaction.
• Leadership development: The competition fosters a sense of leadership by encouraging students to take initiative, solve problems and work collaboratively.
• Career readiness: By simulating real-world scenarios, the Amazing Shake prepares students for job interviews, networking events and other professional encounters.

Many participants have shared how the Amazing Shake has positively impacted their lives. For instance, students have reported feeling more prepared and less anxious about future interviews and internships. Educators and parents alike have observed significant improvements in the way their children interact with peers and adults, noting an increase in maturity and professionalism.

As we look to the future, we hope to expand our Amazing Shake to more than just one school. We would like to extend the competition to all of USD 383 and the Flint Hills area. We would also like to start the preparation for the skills utilized in the Amazing Shake earlier in the year so students have more time to hone their skills. Finally, we would like to involve more of our community in this event with sponsorships to help expand our Amazing Shake and ensure that we can send our winner to the global competition at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta.

Dr. Casey Ewy is on her 29th year of teaching with 20 of those in USD 383 in both Special Education and in US History. When not in the classroom or dreaming up the next classroom adventure, you can find her getting exercise,  making jewelry, or spending time with her family!

Angie Miller has 30 years of experience teaching math to 5th through 8th graders and is committed to creating a supportive and engaging learning environment that fosters both academic and personal growth. Beyond the classroom, she cherishes time with family, enjoys exploring new destinations, and has a deep love for all things Disney!