Our Offerings
Our Offerings
High energy, real world keynotes that inspire students and educators to rethink success, build essential soft skills, and believe in what’s possible beyond test scores and titles. In addition to keynotes, Sue offers interactive workshops for youth groups, junior colleges, universities, civic organizations, school districts, and special events. Every session is focused on spreading a clear message: soft skills are not optional. They are the skills that truly create impact, open doors, and drive long term success in today’s world.
Teacher & Faculty SErvices
Teacher & Faculty SErvices
Teaching the important stuff
Teaching the important stuff
“Teaching What Truly Prepares Students for Life After School”
Workshop Description:
Let’s face it, some lessons are just too important to leave out. In a high-tech world and an education system often driven by standardized testing, “Teaching the Important Stuff” is a practical, high-value workshop that dives into the real-world skills every student needs before graduation. This session explores rarely discussed but vital topics, including how to teach “Why We Work” and why finding purpose and enjoyment in a career truly matters. From landing the job to thriving in it, this session provides educators with proven strategies to teach leadership, career readiness, and essential life skills in ways that are engaging, relatable, and built to last.
Take back your time: Thrive, Don’t just survive
Take back your time: Thrive, Don’t just survive
“Building Balance Through Better Habits and Boundaries”
Workshop Description:
In today’s crazy busy world, teachers wear more hats than ever as educators, coaches, counselors, mentors, innovators, and sometimes miracle workers, leaving many wondering how to manage it all without burning out or losing their lives outside the classroom. This high energy, hands on workshop helps educators cut through the chaos and take control of their time using simple, proven strategies for working smarter, not harder. Participants learn how to apply the 80 20 rule to focus on what truly matters, organize tasks so nothing falls through the cracks, motivate themselves into meaningful and consistent action, prioritize self care and professional growth without guilt, and recognize that the work they do genuinely makes a difference. Educators will walk away with practical tools, renewed motivation, and a clear plan to stay ahead, stay balanced, and stay inspired both inside and outside the classroom.
Student & Youth Services
Student & Youth Services
Get the scholarship
Get the scholarship
“Your Step-by-Step Playbook for Winning
Scholarships and Getting Paid to Learn”
Workshop Description:
Over the years, Sue has helped 67 students earn National FFA Scholarships and guided hundreds more in writing powerful, winning applications that have brought in thousands, and in some cases hundreds of thousands, of dollars in awards. Her own children graduated completely debt free, with her son earning $101,000 in scholarships and her daughter earning an incredible $196,500, most from local and regional awards between $500 and $5,000. In this results driven workshop, students learn why scholarship writing can be the highest paying job they will ever have in high school or college, often earning far more per hour than any part time job, and how one strong application can be reused to unlock multiple scholarships, travel opportunities, conferences, and life changing connections. Students discover that most scholarships have far fewer applicants than they think and are guided step by step through writing standout applications and resumes, crafting powerful personal statements, securing strong recommendation letters, acing interviews, and mastering the often overlooked art of follow up. Whether a freshman just getting started or a senior racing deadlines, participants walk away with proven strategies, real confidence, and the tools to get the scholarship, skip the debt, and build a strong financial future one application at a time.
Why people work
Why people work
“Unlocking the Value of Work Beyond Money”
Workshop Description:
Why do people really go to work? Is it just for a paycheck, or is there something more? This eye opening workshop helps students and participants understand the real reasons people work and how purpose, attitude, and soft skills play a major role in long term success. Through real world examples and interactive discussion, participants explore how work provides independence, responsibility, opportunity, and pride, not just income. The session connects work ethic, accountability, teamwork, and professionalism to real outcomes employers value and reward. Participants will also examine how choices, mindset, and effort shape career paths and open doors, regardless of job title or starting point. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a clearer understanding of how work builds character, creates opportunity, and develops the soft skills that lead to success in school, careers, and life. This lesson challenges participants to see work not as something they have to do, but as something that helps them become the person they are menat to be.
Get the job
Get the job
“Stand Out, Speak Confidently, and Secure the Opportunity”
Workshop Description:
Landing the right job takes more than luck. It requires preparation, confidence, and the soft skills that employers value most. Get the Job is a hands on, results driven workshop that guides students and job seekers through every step of the hiring process, giving them the tools to stand out and succeed. Participants will learn how to craft a standout resume and cover letter that highlight their strengths and experiences, develop professional phone skills to make a strong first impression, and master interview techniques that demonstrate confidence, competence, and character. The workshop also covers essential follow up strategies, including writing thoughtful thank you notes, evaluating and accepting job offers, and handling rejection with resilience and professionalism. Attendees will gain practical tips, actionable strategies, and the mindset needed to navigate the job search process successfully. By the end of the session, participants will not only understand what it takes to secure a job, they will be ready to present themselves with confidence, communicate effectively, and take control of their career path from the very first opportunity.
Prepared to impress & Make them Listen
Prepared to impress & Make them listen
“From Nervous to Noteworthy: Make Every Speech Count”
Workshop Description:
In today’s fast paced, tech driven, AI powered world, essential soft skills like public speaking are being overlooked more than ever. Prepared to Impress: Make Them LISTEN! is a results driven, no fluff workshop that teaches students, youth, and adults how to plan, prepare, and deliver a speech that not only communicates ideas but captivates and inspires an audience. Participants learn why strong speeches matter, how to choose a topic that connects, and the five essential components of a powerful presentation, while developing skills in voice quality, pacing, eye contact, audience engagement, confident question answering, and the critical role of practice in building poise and presence. Beyond the mechanics, this workshop helps attendees express themselves authentically, connect with listeners on a personal level, and use communication, confidence, and emotional intelligence to leave a lasting impression. Whether preparing for a classroom presentation, a speech contest, or a future professional opportunity, participants walk away ready to command attention, inspire action, and make people want to listen.
Keynote Addresses
Keynote addresses
Teaching the important stuff
Teaching the important stuff
“Soft Skills Built Her Career. Now They’re the Missing Piece in Today’s Classrooms”
Workshop Description:
What happens when you’re told you’re not good enough, not smart enough, not confident enough, or not capable enough, but you choose to prove everyone wrong anyway? What if your greatest success isn’t determined by GPA or test scores, but by your ability to show up, work hard, and push through fear when it counts? This powerful keynote is a real world, no fluff call to action that reminds audiences that standardized test scores do not define their future, leadership is about impact not titles, and you do not have to be the smartest in the room, just the one who refuses to quit.
Led by Sue Schafer, a nationally recognized educator with over 30 years of experience helping teens succeed through the power of soft skills, this keynote draws from a journey rooted in grit and perseverance. Sue is the 2025 Illinois Excellence in Teaching Award Winner, 2024 ACTE Teacher of the Year, 2024 Bill Johnson Excellence in Teaching Award Winner, and the 2021 Golden Owl Award recipient. Once a self proclaimed below average student who struggled with school, speech, and confidence, Sue grew up on a working cattle and grain farm where she learned that work ethic and resilience were not optional. Through livestock, 4 H, and FFA, she built confidence, earned recognition in public speaking and livestock judging, and defied the odds to graduate college in four years, earn a livestock judging scholarship, teach more than 3,000 students, mentor 14 student teachers, coach two world champion and six national champion livestock judging teams, guide 64 state proficiency award champions and two Stars Over America, and become one of the most respected agriculture educators in Illinois. Her message is clear and urgent in today’s fast paced, tech driven world: soft skills like communication, work ethic, resilience, and emotional intelligence are not extras, they are essentials, and your story is not over, it is waiting for you to believe in it.
