To speak up or not to speak up....that is the question

Recently started a new job where I was immediately immersed in training events.  While I enjoyed the content, the presentation wasn't really suited for adult learners.  By this I mean that to engage adult learners, as a presenter/teacher, one has to be interactive, inclusive and elicit the participation of adult learners by asking them to share their own intrinsic wisdom and experiences, both life and learning experiences.  I realize that perhaps this is an approach that I have because I have been educated in adult learning theory through my Masters degree program in Adult & Higher Education at USM, but I also think that this approach to teaching and learning in adulthood is very intuitive, and in all honesty, much more interesting for the presenter/teacher.

So, in my feedback to the training department, I gave them very specific ideas and suggestions about how they could improve/change their way of presenting even basic orientation material.   Well, the shit hit the fan as soon as I sent an email to the Training & Development Manager!   She immediately shared my email to her with my direct supervisor who called me and basically chewed me out and gave me a lecture about how the way they do things is "necessary" for the material in orientation.  Yikes! Why is it that people get so defensive when you hit a nerve of truth in them and their way of doing things??!  Why bother to give honest feedback when you get that kind of reaction?  Now, I feel like I have a "black mark" on my record....Catherine is that upstart, uppity smarty-pants that wants to rock the boat!  Story of my life!  I take my personal power and intelligence and power of observation and critical thinking and apply it, and where does it get me?....in the corner, as if I should be in detention for thinking for myself and sharing my ideas with others!

So, my question to any of you out there is:  what do you do?  Do you speak up about your opinions and observations in any given situation, or do you just eat it and shut up to leave the status quo?

I'm tired of being silent, shutting up and putting up....with the status quo!  I want to speak my truth and be respected for that and taken seriously, with acknowledgement and acceptance!  Maybe it's a pipe dream....but I'm not going to give it up!  Thanks for listening :)