CV/Resume
Table of Contents
Areas of Interest/Expertise
Diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility
Forensic public speaking and debating education
Theatre education
Pedagogy of teaching
Secondary education
Educational standards
Parliamentary procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order
Social media and web presence
Professional Experience
Executive Director, July 2014-present
Implemented equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility approaches to foster belonging among program participants
Facilitated strategic planning in 2021, culminating with an impending name change in 2022
Formalized practices for transparency, accountability, insurance/risk, and IRS standing
Developed online approaches to sustain programming during the COVID-19 pandemic
Expanded interscholastic middle/high school programming in theatre, speech, and debate
Designed and launched a new program in interscholastic film
Incorporated EdTA Thespian programming in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Theatre Festival
Expanded revenue streams from sponsors and grants; operated budgetary surplus each year to build reserve fund
Built partnerships with likeminded organizations to support advocacy efforts
Automated/streamlined operational processes for efficiency and cost savings
Facilitated strategic planning process to strengthen position of organization
Congressional Debate Workshop Director; 2010-present; Congress Tournament Director, 2012-present
Incepted summer institute curriculum, infused with leadership seminars and interactive digital resources, including student practice videos and journals
Direct largest and most innovative Congressional Debate Tournament of the school year
Director of Forensics 2015-16; Adjunct Instructor, Communication, 2010-2015; Assistant Director of Forensics, 2008-2011
Taught Public Speaking in the Department of Communication
Coached forensic public speaking, limited preparation, literary interpretation, and parliamentary debate
Debate & Speech Teacher, 2013-2014, Fall Semester
Taught middle and high school speech and debate courses in international programs as well as traditional People’s Republic of China schools in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province
Consulted with the head office in Shanghai to further develop marketing and programming
Programs & Education Coordinator, 2008-2014*
Developed resources, professional development programming, and coordinated strategic partnerships
Developed/wrote curriculum, led training workshops in China (May 2012)
Built/expanded middle school programming; directed National Middle School Tournament
* Left full-time employment in Aug. 2013 to teach in China; consultant, Feb.-Jun. 2014
Director of Speech & Debate, 1997-2008; Teacher, 2004-2008
Taught International Baccalaureate theatre, acting and speech/communication
Served on Learning Team and Educational Plan Committees
Guided students to state/national debate and speech honors, including the only three national titles in Wisconsin since 1985, and National Debate School of Excellence in 2005
Directed several invitational speech/debate tournaments, including corporate/community outreach
Florida Forensic Institute
Congressional Debate Senior Faculty, 2003-2011
Student Teacher, Spring 2004 Semester
Taught freshman English, Shakespeare, and theatre; volunteered for other school functions
Legislative Assistant, Third District, 2000-2002
Constituent relations and aldermanic liaison to committees and community organizations
Worked in Common Council’s Public Relations & Communications office, 1999-2000, 2003
Education & Training
Metropolitan State University
Enrolled in the Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management (MNLM) program
Courageous Conversation: Beyond Diversity Workshop
July 2019, Colorado College: participated in a seminar facilitated by Glenn E. Singleton, sponsored by the National Speech & Debate Association
Leadership Ripon Seminar – 2011
Ripon, Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce symposium
International Schools Theatre Association
International Baccalaureate Theatre Diploma Program training workshop, Summer 2007, St. Pete Beach, Florida.
Harvard Graduate School of Education - WIDE World/Project Zero
Teaching for Understanding, online professional development (non-credit), Fall 2005
Marquette University
Teaching certificate, July 2004; Graduate courses, Communication and Education
Wisconsin teaching license (expired 7/2010): grades 9-12, speech (320) and theatre/drama (325)
Carroll University
Bachelor of Science in Communication, Public Campaigns, August 1999
Completed significant coursework in theatre; involved in several performance roles and production positions with the Carroll Players, as well as completing a significant centennial archival project and commemorative booklet for the Carroll Players Centennial
Communication Senior Project Award: Public Relations Internship, Milwaukee City Hall, 1999
Cultural exchange theatrical tour in 1997 to the former Soviet Union, Czech Republic, and Ireland
Service & Leadership
National Speech & Debate Association
2018-present, Board of Directors – Competition & Rules Committee Co-Chair (2020-2022), External Affairs Committee (2020-present), Nominations Committee (2024-present); Teaching Standards Committee; Pedagogy Ad Hoc Committee; Equity Working Group; National Tournament Rules Referee.
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
Speech, Debate, and Theatre Advisory Committee, 2018-present
Alliance for Wisconsin Theatre Education
Ex Officio Board Member, 2014-present; Website Administrator
Barkley Forum, Emory University
Congressional Debate Tournament co-administrator, 2011-2012; 2018-present
University of Kentucky, Tournament of Champions
Congressional Debate Advisory Committee, 2005-present; Congressional Debate Tournament Administrator, 2008-2014
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Theatre Standards Writing Committee, 2017-2018
Ripon Rotary
2009-2016; Board of Directors; Public Relations/Website Administrator, 2010-2016
Ripon Lumen Charter High School
Governance Committee – 2010-2016
National Communication Association – Member, 2010-2012
NCA Elementary and Secondary Education Section – co-authored resolution urging speech communication as high school graduation requirement, taught by instructors trained in communication
Wisconsin Communication Association
Secretary/Website Administrator, 2010-2012
Rufus King High School Alumni Association
Board of Directors, 2003-2012 (founding member)
Wisconsin Forensic Coaches’ Association
Executive Committee, 2000-2011; Website Administrator; Congressional Debate Tournament Director
Milwaukee Shakespeare Company
Board of Directors, 2007-2009; Chair, Education Committee
Wisconsin Debate Coaches’ Association
President, 2005-2008
International Debate Exchange Program
Consulting Educator, National Speech & Debate Association and U.S. Department of State, 2004
Helped design curriculum, materials for students/teachers from eight international student delegations
Awards & Honors
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS): National Citation for Outstanding Speech, Debate, and Theatre Educator (2021; awarded 2022).
National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Distinguished Service Plaque, Third Honors (2022)
NFHS: Outstanding Speech, Debate, and Theatre Educator, Section IV-Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin (2020).
Emory University, Barkley Forum for High Schools: Gold Key Society (2019)
NSDA Third Diamond Award (2015)
NSDA Distinguished Service Plaque, Second Honors (2015)
NSDA Accreditation: Advanced Professional Speech & Debate Educator (2012)
NSDA Accreditation: Advanced Professional Speech & Debate Coach (2012)
National Speech & Debate Association Circle of Champion Coach (2006)
Wisconsin Forensic Coaches’ Association Coach of the Year (2006)
Milwaukee Public Schools Educator Citation (2006)
Milwaukee Common Council Resolution (2000, 2006)
Selected Publications/Presentations
“Interscholastic Debate: Balancing Perspectives and Boosting Achievement.” Wisconsin Association of School Boards, January 2024 presentation.
“Providing and Promoting State Association Resources.” National Federation of State High School Associations, September 2023 presentation with Angelique Ronald of the California High School Speech Association.
“Keynote: Dream it. Be it. Speak It. Teach It” Speech Professional Education Alliance of Kentucky, September 2023 presentation.
“Engage Society’s Problems and Solutions Through Debate.” Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies Conference, March 2022 presentation.
“Styles of Debate and What Policies Make it Work for your State.” National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), Performing Arts Conference, Denver, CO, September 2022 presentation with Jana Riggins of the Texas University Interscholastic League.
“Keynote: A Glance in the Rearview Mirror Before Zooming to our Destination.” Communication, Speech, and Theatre Association of North Dakota, September 2021 presentation.
“Framing Speech and Debate Amidst Two Plagues: Racism and COVID-19.” Kansas Speech Communication Association Conference, September 2020 presentation.
“Judging and Assessing Voices Radiantly: Pedagogical Evaluation.” Accepted for NSDA Education Conference, July 2018 presentation.
“Reflective Journaling Empowers Radiant Voices.” Accepted for NSDA Education Conference, July 2018 presentation.
“Information Literacy.” WHSFA/UW-La Crosse/Wisconsin Humanities Council Professional Development Conference, October 2017 keynote address.
“Effective Ballot Writing.” NFHS State Speech, Debate, and Theatre Directors’ Conference, September 2017 presentation.
“Elevating Achievement: Maximizing Your Squad for Both In-State and NSDA Competition.” NSDA Education Conference, August 2017 presentation.
“Applying the Code of Honor to Coaching: Teaching to the Trophy.” Rostrum magazine, co-author to Dr. J. Scott Baker, January 2015.
Introduction to Debate: A Public Forum Debate Handbook. Beijing World Publishing Corporation (Beijing), 2013. Associate editor and contributing author for bilingual textbook in English/Mandarin, targeted for grades 8-12.
“Debating, Speaking & Performing: Spark Cross-Curricular Critical Thinking to Meet the Common Core.” National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Conference, June 2013 presentation.
“Speech, Literature, Social Studies, and the Common Core.” Rostrum magazine, February 2013.
“Speech and Debate in the High School Classroom.” Dipont Education, China, May 2012 presentation to 120 high school teachers in Wuxi, China.
“How Co-Curricular Speech and Debate Programs Can Bolster Standardized Test Scores, Literacy, Critical Thinking, and 21st Century Skills.” National School Boards Association: National Conference, April 2012 presentation.
“Advocating High School Speech Communication Education: Sowing Stronger Seeds for the Future.” National Developmental Conference for Individual Events, August 2010 panel/paper (National Forensic Association).
“Communication Education in the Information Age.” National Communication Association: Convention, November 2009. Panel presentation, Elementary & Secondary Education Section.
Coaching Guide: Directing Debate & Speech Activities. National Forensic League (Ripon, WI), 2009, 3rd ed. Comprehensive handbook designed for a variety of coaching/teaching circumstances.
Student Congress Debate. Rosen Publishing (New York), 2007. Speech textbook.