Developing public communication skills: Speech and debate team

Developing public communication skills: Speech and debate team

Author: Ethical Schools November 8, 2023 Duration: 34:16
We speak with Denver English teacher and speech/debate coach Anna Steed about the benefits of speech and debate competition. Students acquire critical communication skills and self-confidence; students of color and low-income students can become more comfortable in majority-white, middle-class environments similar to those they may encounter in college. For many students who have challenging home lives, speech and debate opens up worlds of possibility. Overview 00:00-00:14 Intros 00:14-01:08 Why the speech and debate program started at Anna Steed’s school 01:08-02:17 How Anna Steed became involved 02:17-03:08 How the speech and debate program developed into a team 03:08-04:13 What speech and debate is 04:13-05:06 How students became involved 05:06-14:04 Program Oral Interpretation 14:04-15:20 Impact on measured academic performance 15:20-17:42 Equity; students’ comfort level around more privileged students 17:42-21:40 Speech and debate during the pandemic 21:40-21:53 Impact on students’ ambitions 21:53-26:08 First steps to start a speech and debate program 26:08-28:10 Need for judges 28:10-29:36 Need to give English credit for speech and debate 29:36-30:15 Training for judges 30:15- Outro

Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Ethical Schools
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