Stoa Academy 2020

Courses and Descriptions

Speech Sessions

  • The Heart of Apologetics: the Competitor, the Coach, & Life after Competition 101 - presented by Luis Garcia and Debbie Snyder: Dive into a full picture of Apologetics from understanding the philosophy of the category, how to write a basic card, and differing ways to coach your students in an Apologetic club.
  • The Heart of Apologetics: the Competitor, the Coach, & Life after Competition 201 - presented by Luis Garcia: In this lecture, sample questions/topics will be used to demonstrate and apply what was shared in Apologetics 101.
  • Coaching Extraordinary Extemp - presented by Matthew Shipley and Sara Shipley: Unlock the secrets and strategies that you need to help your extempers excel.
  • Vision for Others for Christ with Mars Hill, Part One - presented by Sue Danielson and Alicia Stunkel: Understanding Audience and Analysis to build credibility.
  • Vision for Others for Christ with Mars Hill, Part Two - presented by Sue Danielson and Alicia Stunkel: After establishing credibility, learn how to connect to others with specific examples.
  • Oratory Analysis - Insights and Inspiration - presented by Matthew Shipley and Alicia Stunkel: Take a deep dive into Oratory Analysis and learn the nuts and bolts for coaching great OA speeches.
  • Director's View 101 - presented by Leslie Martin and Craig Smith: This class will focus on finding material for interpretative speeches.
  • Director's View 201 - presented by Leslie Martin and Craig Smith: This class will focus on blocking and creating characters for interpretive speeches.
  • The Evolution of an Excellent Platform Speech 101 - presented by Debbie Snyder with Trinity Klomparens: Finding material for platform speeches and the importance of storytelling & "heart" material, will be the focus of this class.
  • Platforms 201: Creating Powerful Platform Speeches - presented by Shelley DeJager: This practical workshop covers how to help speakers fully understand the ballot criterion in order to write and deliver praiseworthy platforms.
  • Speech in Adjudication - presented by Sue Danielson, Leslie Martin, and Debbie Snyder: Join our seasoned leaders and discuss how to approach adjudication in the most educational and productive way possible. We’ll cover adjudication philosophy, prevention, planning, and process.
  • Speech Games - presented by Sue Danielson and Leslie Martin: Wooing your students with speech games!

Debate Sessions

  • Debate 101/Debate Basics - presented by Colleen Enos: This is a very general class that includes all three forms of debate, what the differences are, and what is involved in them.
  • Team Policy Resolution - presented by Steven Vaughan and Mike Winther: We will discuss the Team Policy Resolution for the upcoming season, giving an overview of the status quo, and possibly some areas of debate.
  • Lincoln Douglas Resolution – presented by Ty Harding and Larry Sparks: The LD resolution for the upcoming season deals with economics. Ty and Larry will give an overview of the resolution and some areas to research and debate.
  • Evidence Handling and Standards – presented by Steven Vaughan and Mary Winther: With the new rules on evidence last year, there was still some confusion as to what was allowed and what was not. Mary and Steven will further explain what serves as quality, ethical evidence handling.
  • Stock Issues – presented by Steven Vaughan: Whether they are called Stock Issues or something else, they are foundational to Team Policy debate. Steven will explain what the stock issues are and what they mean for both the AFF and the NEG.
  • Values & Criterions (LD) – presented by Larry Sparks: Larry will share how to effectively use values and criteria as well as LD stock issues.
  • TP Case Structure - presented by Ty Harding: The way a case is set up is almost as important as the case itself. Ty will explore the different ways to structure the AFF in Policy Debate.
  • LD Case Construction - presented by Larry Sparks: LD has several ways to structure a good case on both AFF and NEG. Larry will show not only how to construct these depending on how the student wants to argue the case.
  • Parliamentary Debate – presented by Colleen Enos: Parliamentary debate is different from Policy and LD, and should be unique in how the competitors approach it.
  • Flowing – presented by Katie Herche and Mary Winther: Flowing is so important to debate for both the students and the judges. Mary and Katie will discuss the different levels of flowing, and how to do it all better.
  • Effective Cross-Ex – presented by Ty Harding and Griffith Vertican: Cross examination is almost an art. Rounds can be won and lost in Cross-X. Learn to do this better in both TP and LD.
  • Coaching Advanced Debaters - presented by Katie Herche: Have advanced debaters? This will give you ideas how to coach them to higher levels of the art of debate
  • Rules, Norms, and Theory – presented by Mike Winther: While we all are to follow the rules of debate, there are differing ideas of how to debate, and what theory is the best theory. And sometimes these all get mixed up and can cause confusion. This talk will help understand these issues.
  • Effective Negative Strategies TP – Mike and Mary Winther: While the negative side of Policy is more difficult for a novice, many come to enjoy it more as they gain experience. Knowing how to run the negative effectively is key.
  • Effective Negative Strategy LD – presented by Ty Harding and Larry Sparks: LD writes both an AFF and a NEG case. Doing both effectively is a key to success. Learn how to run a negative LD case better and more successfully
  • Debate Adjudication & Conflict Resolution - presented by Katie Herche, Steven Vaughan, and Mary Winther: How do we balance justice and fairness with mercy? When do we confront an erring brother or sister and when should we turn the other cheek? This session will discuss how to handle rule violations at tournaments, and what coaches and parents can do to foster healthy resolutions to tricky situations.
  • Debate Drills & Games - presented by Katie Herche and Griffith Vertican: Debate drills help improve skill, and are also quite fun. Katie and Griffith will show a number of things they has done to help all debaters improve.

Clubs & Life

  • Cultivating Character in Competitors - presented by Maggie Carabelos: This session is designed to help teach character building with tried and true coaching techniques through a biblical lens.
  • Goal Setting & Achievement - presented by Steven Vaughan: Many of us have plans but are unsure how to make them happen. Here is a simple process to set goals and achieve them.
  • Running a Club - presented by Kathy Jacobs and Shirin Schneider: Are you thinking of starting a new club and could use some step-by-step instructions? Are you already running a club and are looking for some new tips and tricks? Come see how Stoa's Club in a Box has something for everyone.
  • Parental Involvement - presented by Lynda Sloneker and Nancy Socolofsky: Come hear why Parental Involvement in Stoa is invaluable, how to get your club parents involved and how to sustain that involvement.
  • Running a Tournament, Part One - presented by Joe Schneider and Lynda Sloneker: Getting it planned and set up. Everything you need to know to get you from "We want to host a tournament" to "The Big Day is here!"
  • Running a Tournament, Part Two - presented by Joe Schneider and Lynda Sloneker: You've made all your plans and now it's Tournament day. Let us walk you through the days of competition to the award ceremony and then a big finish with a solid wrap up.
  • Virtual Club Meetings - presented by Katie Herche: Hopefully this session won't be needed at all. But who knows what the next season will look like? Instead of canceling club altogether, you can move meetings online! Katie moved her club online during the first week of shelter-in-place, and has been meeting virtually ever since. Hear about her experience, and learn some tips and ideas that can help make your online club successful too.
  • A Vision for Junior Speech - presented by Maggie Carabelos: In this session the nuts and bolts on how to build and implement a successful Junior Speech Program will be shared. Imparting a lifetime love of forensics starts with Juniors being included in club meetings and tournaments.
  • Staying Focused on the Homeschool Highway (Avoiding Speech "Shortcuts" & Debate Detours) - presented by Craig and Julie Smith: Do you feel like you're driving with a full load, but running on empty? There's a way to stay on the road without running into a rut. In this conversation, veteran homeschoolers and Stoa parents, Craig and Julie Smith, will share ways to fit speech and debate into your homeschooling journey so that they are travelling companions and don't become a road hog. Rated "AAA"!