Mike Bietz

Head Debate Coach, Harvard-Westlake School, 2007-2024 · Summer Debate Program Director, Harvard-Westlake School, 2014-2024 · Director, Victory Briefs, 2001-2014 · Head Lincoln-Douglas Debate Coach, Edina High School, 1999-2005 · Head Policy Debate Coach, Apple Valley High School, 1998-1999

  • The first and only coach from Southern California inducted into both the Tournament of Champions Coach Hall of Fame and the Emory University Barkley Forum Gold Key Society

  • Coached 2 NSDA National Champions, 2 TOC Champions, 2 NDCA Champions, 1 MSPDP National Champion, and 8 Novice National Champions, along with 85 other national championship elimination round participants

  • The first and only Asian-American coach recognized in the Tournament of Champions Coach Hall of Fame

  • Past-President of the National Debate Coaches Association

  • 2+ decade member of the Tournament of Champions Advisory Committee

  • Board Member of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League

Teaching Interests

I work with students from elementary school through high school on the full range of debate-related skills—whether you’re just starting out or preparing for a national final round. My main areas of instruction include:

  • Working with novice and debaters starting their debate journey

  • Strategic coaching for competitive debaters in all debate formats

  • Custom 1-on-1 or small group instruction tailored to individual goals

  • Practice rounds with in-depth feedback on argument execution and judge adaptation

  • Debate preparation courses built around structured curricula

  • Academic enrichment classes that translate debate skills into real-world tools: argumentation, research literacy, and public speaking - appropriate for both debaters and non-debaters

  • Specialized support for new or developing programs, including coach mentorship and curriculum planning

  • Ethical and effective communication in the digital age, including social media literacy and critical media consumption

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your edge for a tournament, build foundational thinking skills, or learn how to navigate information overload, I teach with clarity, purpose, and a focus on long-term growth.

Small Group Option

All private sessions—whether custom instruction, course-based, or practice rounds—can be made semi-private. You may add additional students (up to 3 total) for $40 per student, per session. This is a flexible option for siblings, friends, or teammates who want to learn together while keeping costs manageable.

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Private/Semi-Private Custom Hourly Instruction

Private and semi-private custom instruction is tailored entirely to your needs—no pre-set curriculum, no filler. Every session is built from scratch to match the student’s goals, skill level, and learning style. Because this is truly individualized instruction, it’s priced at a premium. You’re not buying a class; you’re hiring a strategist.

Not Sure What You Need?

If you’re unsure which course is the right fit—or don’t see exactly what you’re looking for—I offer a free 20-minute consultation to talk through options.

Whether you’re a parent, student, or coach, we can design something that works for your goals and schedule.

Or visit our Contact section and reach out via email, phone, text, or WhatsApp.