—— DEBATE MATTERS
Competitive Debate Belongs in Schools
Debate Matters was founded on a simple belief: competitive debate belongs in schools, not replaced by private clubs that pull students away from their coaches and teammates. We work alongside school programs, not around them.
We support coaches so their students get the extra help they need while staying rooted in their school program. And for families whose schools don't offer debate at all, we help bring those skills to your child too.
partners & Collaborators
—— WHAT WE DO
Three ways we grow debate access
Whether you're a student looking for one-on-one coaching, a parent seeking debate education your school doesn't offer, or an institution building a program from scratch, Debate Matters meets you where you are.
01. debate Tutoring
We connect students with experienced debate coaches for personalized, one-on-one instruction. If you’re a former debater who loves the activity, we’d love to have you in our network, set your own schedule and get paid to do something you already know well.
For Debaters
Whether you're preparing for your first tournament or refining advanced argumentation, we match you with a tutor who fits your event, level, and goals. Sessions are flexible and personalized.
For Tutors
Are you a current or former debater — in high school, college, or beyond? Are you a current debate coach? We recruit knowledgeable coaches and tutors to join our network. Set your own schedule and help students grow their skills.
02. Camp & Program Services
A summer debate program is one of the highest-return academic enrichment offerings an institution can run. It attracts motivated students, builds credibility in the academic community, and generates revenue. Debate Matters handles the infrastructure: curriculum design, staff recruitment, and day-to-day operations. You bring the campus. We bring everything else.
03. Debate Everywhere
Access to debate skills shouldn't depend on which school you attend.
For families whose schools don't offer a debate program, we provide pathways to get students the critical thinking, public speaking, and argumentation skills that debate uniquely teaches. We also develop curriculum for organizations building programs from the ground up, and work with leagues and institutions ready to expand competitive debate access.
Families & students without school debate programs
Curriculum development for new and growing programs
League & organizational partnerships (e.g., NSDA Middle School Debate League)
For Families
Debate teaches kids to think on their feet, build an argument, listen carefully, and speak with confidence. These skills show up in the classroom, in college applications, and in future careers. If your child's school does not offer debate, Debate Matters connects families to the coaching, curriculum, and programs that make debate education accessible.
For Schools
Building a debate program from scratch takes more than enthusiasm. It takes the right format, the right materials, and people who understand how debate works in practice. Debate Matters works with organizations ready to bring competitive debate to their community, providing the knowledge and infrastructure to build something sustainable from the start.
—— OUR FOUNDERS
Built by people who have dedicated their careers to debate education
The same expertise that built championship programs is now available to your student, your school, and your community.
Mike Bietz
CO-FOUNDER
Mike Bietz is one of the most accomplished debate educators in the country. As program head at Edina High School and Harvard-Westlake, he coached over 100 entries to the Tournament of Champions in debate, more than any other program head in that period, and is the only coach in history to win both the NSDA and TOC national championships in the same season with two different debaters. His students have earned national titles at the TOC, NSDA Nationals, NDCA Nationals, and Novice Nationals. As Director of Victory Briefs, he grew the summer institute from 90 to over 600 attendees. And with Harvard-Westlake, built the summer program from scratch to over 200 students summer-after-summer.
Gold Key Society inductee, Emory University
TOC Hall of Fame, first coach from Southern California and first Asian American inducted
Former President, National Debate Coaches Association
Chris TheiS
CO-FOUNDER
Chris Theis is one of the most accomplished combined competitor-coaches in Lincoln-Douglas debate of this century.
As a competitor, he is one of only three juniors ever to win the Tournament of Champions and the only two-time champion in the contest's history. As a coach at The Marlborough School and previously at Palos Verdes Peninsula, Lexington, Apple Valley, and Trinity Prep, he has built program after program into national contenders.
As Executive Director of Victory Briefs, he has expanded its summer institutes nationwide and overseen the publication of widely used textbooks and curriculum materials.
Two-time LD TOC Champion, one of only three juniors ever to win
Executive Director, Victory Briefs since 2014
TOC LD Committee, NSDA LD Wording Committee, NDCA Executive Committee
—— OUR MISSION
Debate Belongs to EVERYONE
Debate Matters exists to grow the reach of competitive debate. We believe every student deserves a coach, a classroom, and a place to compete, and we build the programs, partnerships, and pathways to make that possible.
SKILLS THAT LAST
For families who want critical thinking, public speaking, and argumentation skills, you make debate education accessible whether or not they ever compete.
EXPERT MATCHING
Every tutor and coach in our network has genuine competitive experience at a high level. Browse profiles and choose the person who is the right fit for you.
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIP
We work alongside schools and organizations from planning through execution, handling the debate-specific expertise and operations that most institutions don’t have in-house.
DEBATE BELONGS IN SCHOOLS
Competitive debate is an academic activity, and it belongs inside school communities alongside the coaches, teammates, and programs that make it meaningful. Everything we do is designed to strengthen school-based debate, not replace it.
—— OUR PARTNERS
Built with leading institutions
Our work gains depth and credibility through collaboration with organizations that share our commitment to expanding debate education.
OFFICIAL PARTNER
NATIONAL SPEECH AND DEBATE ASSOCIATION
Working hand-in-hand with the NSDA, Debate Matters is helping design and launch the NSDA Middle School Debate League of Los Angeles, creating structured competitive opportunities for 6th–8th grade students and establishing a pipeline of engaged debaters entering high school programs.
Learn more at LADebates.org >
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNER
Macalester College
Debate Matters is partnering with Macalester College, through the Macalester Forensics Team, to build their summer debate workshop, bringing together curriculum design, staff selection, and operational planning to create a rigorous and welcoming commuter & residential debate experience rooted in Macalester's values.
Learn more at MinnesotaDebateInitiative.com >
—— WHO WE SERVE
Wherever Debate Happens, WE Can Help
Students, families, schools, and national organizations, debate access looks different for everyone. We meet each of them where they are.
Students
From middle school beginners to competitive high school debaters, we connect students with coaches who meet them at their level, whatever event, whatever goal.
Parents & Families
If your child's school doesn't offer debate, we do. We help families access the critical thinking, public speaking, and argumentation skills that debate uniquely develops.
Schools & Colleges
We partner with institutions ready to launch or scale summer debate programs, from first-year summer camps to established residential workshops.
Organizations & Leagues
We work alongside national organizations like the NSDA to build infrastructure, develop curriculum, and expand competitive access at every level.
—— GET INVOLVED
LET’S TALK
Debate Matters works with students, families, schools, and organizations at every level. Whatever brings you here, we want to hear from you.
If you’re interested in becoming a tutor, please go directly to application.