Debate Metro League

  Every year a national debate resolution is released and high school debate teams across the country create and advocate for and against tens of thousands of  pages of research on the topic. This was my 16th year coaching which means 16 topics. Throw in the topics I researched and debated myself as a high school and college debater are we are now in the ball park of 25.  A few years back I thought high school policy debate would go away under the auspices of budget cuts but surprisingly there seems to be the beginning of an understanding that policy debate teaches all those critical thinking, writing, and research skills that are deemed so useful in the real world and not only  are those of us who have been holding on to programs by our fingernails still here but there even seem to be some new one on the horizon. There is a movement afoot based on data to use debate as a tool to increase academic achievement in the Detroit School system through something called The Detroit Urban Debate League. The data suggests that even a minimal level of exposure to policy debate can significantly , statistically speaking, improve academic achievement. I can speak from experience that I have former debaters who are wildly successful. There are doctors, chemists, social workers, engineers, zoologists, of course lawyers, and very importantly – to me any way- teachers.  They have terminal degrees from: UofM, MSU, GVSU, Northwestern, University of Minnesota, Harvard, and Yale to name a few. More importantly than all that they are critical thinkers. They know how to research a subject and to search for truth in data. This past year I had a brand new group of rock star novices who are excited to commit to debate at a high level. As novices they had an even record and worked their tails off. I am excited to have any students participate in the activity at any level but highly committed students are really exciting. May policy debate continue to be a tool to teach critical thinking and build amazing, capable, thoughtful people and may I be able to continue to be a part of that process for years to come.

The topic for 2011/2012 Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase its exploration and/or development of space beyond the Earth’s mesosphere.

The kids cutting their debate teeth at the Grand Rapids Debate Metro League where they ended with and even win/loss record. Pretty good for novices with no varsity team ahead of  them to teach them.

Our merry band of novices

Grand Rapids Knights Of The Round Table Oratory Competition 2011

Every year the Grand Rapids Knights Of The Round Table host an oratory scholarship competition with prize money going to the top 3 places. This past May I went with my wonderful student Caden to watch him compete. As a teacher and coach it is the relationships with the amazing people who walk into my classroom that make the job so wonderful. His speech went a bit long which put him in 3rd place for scholarship money but watching Caden give a powerful speech was such and honor regardless of his rank. He is now in college at Wayne State University and I couldn’t be more proud. It was a lovely afternoon, with a wonderful lunch, and fabulous speakers. Thank you Grand Rapids Knights Of The Round Table for the wonderful opportunity and the lovely memory. Caden is using his scholarship money well.

Henry Smitter introduces the speakers.

The other contestants with with their coaches.

Caden and I

Caden speaking

The 3 scholarship winners.

Forensics State Finals 2011 At Oakland University

My orator and my 2 impromptu kids made it to state finals which was held at Oakland University this year. This was a new venue for states and they were fabulously accommodating for having several hundred teenagers in suits or with boxes or stools descend on them and start talking to their walls. The weather cooperated and the stars aligned in that my 2 impromptu gentleman actually cleared to semi- final round putting them in the top 12 in the state for class A. Pretty darn cool. We teamed up for moral support with our friends from Grand Rapids City High who were competing in class B. The kids bunked together and we drove together to save on money. My fabulous hubby drove the 3 hours with the ferret to cheer us on on Saturday. We were feeling the love. I think it made those early Saturday mornings in March all worth it for these fabulous forensicators.

Oakland University

The ferret in full ferret form dropping stones in the storm drain.

Caden, Caden’s mom, Adythia, Kaylyn, and alum Andy wait for postings and have some snacks.

Semis are up there they are.

Caden with his plaque

And Adythia with his plaque

Our merry little band.

Our friends from City High

Forensics Regionals

Last April just before spring break Grand Rapids Christian High held our Forensics regionals. I had two in the category of impromptu, one in sales (I didn’t get a picture of him- he had to leave right after competing) and one in oratory, and darned if they didn’t all qualify to state finals! Woot! Hooray for Adythia, Kaylyn, Caden, and Daniel!

Adythia and Kaylyn wait for awards.

Caden looking very dapper in his suit.

The group waiting. I love Adythia’s socks (wink) Luckily the judges couldn’t see them when he was standing up speaking.

And the qualifiers are… Adythia and Caden in Impromptu.

And Kaylyn in oratory.

Getting dolled up at the Doll House Salon

A a great part of being a teacher is getting to be a part of the lives of the amazing students that come through your class room. A former student of mine is now a professional hairdresser and colorist. Prior to heading out on the floor at the salon she now works at she needed to show off her amazing skills to her new boss. She needed models so I volunteered. I don’t usually color my hair and I only cut it every year and a half or so to be able to donate to Locks Of Love – as you may remember from a previous post -but she needed the model, my hair was looking unusually dark having cut all the sun and pool bleached blonde off, and she did it for free. What a sweet thing she did for her old teacher. You can’t beat free. Not only did she give me a wonderful boost of summer sun in the form of highlights but I got the full pampering with a paraffin hand treatment and hand massage. If you live in the Grand Rapids area and would like 50% off a cut or color- give her a shout. The contact info is below. Gosh I love my job.

Contact Kat at http://www.dollhousehairsalon.com/ and the phone number is 616-554-4929.  If people are new and want to get 50% off, contact Kat to find out how :)

Kat

   

This is my hair before…

during…

…and after.

Dinner with some “kids”

One of the many fabulous benefits of being a teacher and coach – particularly a debate and forensics teacher and coach-is all of the amazing young people you get to meet and become connected to. These young folks are brilliant, capable, and they leave your class room ready to dive in and take on the world. These particular three- Lauren, Andy, and Jessica are all now super smart college students attending Alma College, Wayne State University, and Denison College- in that order-and were home on winter break when they facebooked me and asked if I would like to meet them for dinner. Like??? Jumping up and down with joy would be the correct descriptor. Clint – having spent many a weekend at debate tournaments wanted to see their talented faces as well so we got a babysitter and went to dinner at an amazing Thai restaurant that the smart kids suggested called Little Bangkok off of Cascade Road. They all seemed happy, healthy, and to be enjoying college. The dinner conversation was wonderful and as Clint said “it isn’t very often you get to sit at a table like that with so much brain power and energy all in one place.” I am so very happy they have decided to keep touching base and inviting me to sit at a table with them. Teaching is truly the best job in the world- Thai food and all.