Summer Camp Faculty
A nationally ranked
program with nationally
recognized coaches.
Potomac Debate Academy coaches are talented educators and effective motivators. Our coaches can connect with debate students at every level, from beginner to nationally ranked.
Leadership & Administrative Team
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Abigail S.
- Summer Camp Leadership
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See Bio
Coach Abigail is an accomplished coach and debate competitor who aims to help Potomac students reach their full potential. With her extensive experience across all debate events, Abigail qualified for nationals every year, won multiple state championships and national titles, and ranked among the top 10 competitors worldwide by the National Speech and Debate Association. As a coach, Abigail is passionate about mentoring young people and gives back to the community by volunteering for the national urban debate league. She judges and coaches almost every weekend for the nonprofit organization Chicago Debates, where she was awarded the prestigious “New Coach of the Year” award. Abigail firmly believes that debate education shapes students’ academic futures, as she has personally experienced the benefits of her own competitive spirit in both tournaments and university studies. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Science (Psychology) from the University of Chicago, and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Forensic Psychology and Sociology, all of which she obtained before the age of 20.
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Jessica B.
- Summer Camp Leadership
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See Bio
Jessica has served as the Center Director for Potomac Debate Academy in Rockville, MD for 7 years. She has coordinated and overseen our previous summer debate camps from 2018 – 2020. From logistics to day-to-day operations, Jessica made sure our camps ran smoothly so students could focus on having their best speech and debate experiences. Jessica will ensure students at our UMD camp have a safe, comfortable, and well-organized learning environment. She is excited to meet everyone on-campus this summer!
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Katie H.
- Summer Camp Leadership
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See Bio
Coach Katie is the Director of Operations for Potomac Debate. As a debater and coach, her and her students have received state and national accolades in various activities including debate and speaking events. Previously, Katie was a coach for the Intercollegiate Debate Team at the University of Kentucky, where she also was an Associate Director and Outreach Coordinator for high school and college outreach programs. After receiving her B.S. in Political Science, Katie co-founded a debate organization dedicated to providing resources for students in need. Throughout her career, Katie has been the director for over half a dozen in person and online debate camps, has coached students in nearly every state, and helped thousands of students find their voice.
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Kris W.
- Summer Camp Leadership
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See Bio
Coach Kris has several decades of debate experience, having taught/led at several summer camps and founding the Texas Debate Collective. Kris worked as a a full-time classroom teacher for 12 years at Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet and Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School in Dallas ISD. Kris is a 2-Diamond NSDA Coach, DUDA Coach of the Year, 2023 NUDA Coach of the Year, and Teacher of the Year (Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School). His students have won numerous awards, from several TFA state championships to deep elimination rounds at TOC. As a coach, Kris prioritizes training students to be intellectually curious, critically reflective about themselves and the world around them, and to embrace their power/responsibility to shape the world. He seeks to always try to model the virtues and skills he is teaching, including being able to learn and persevere through adversity and setbacks, rather than crumbling in the face of mistakes or failures. Outside of debate, Kris enjoys playing video games and going camping with friends.
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Instructional Team
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Dylan B.
- Summer Camp Instructor
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See Bio
Coach Dylan brings half a decade of coaching experience to Potomac Debate Academy. Currently pursuing a BS in Computer Science at UNLV, Dylan competed for Coronado High School for several years. As a competitor, Dylan amassed six career bids, reached late elimination rounds at the NSDA National Tournament, and was the Nevada State Champion in PF Debate. Dylan’s students have received dozens of bids and qualified to the TOC and reached late elimination rounds at the TOC and NSDA National Tournament, as well as other major tournaments including Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, and Berkely. Dylan enjoys coaching at Potomac Debate Academy because students are able to meet a wide variety of different coaches, which lets them get instruction from coaches with varying specialties. Outside of debate, Dylan enjoys reading, Chess, and watching football/basketball.
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Matt
- Summer Camp Instructor
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See Bio
Coach Matt is a successful debate coach and curriculum innovator who has coached multiple national, regional and tournament champions in public forum, cross-examination, Lincoln-Douglas, and parliamentary-style debate. Matt has also coached winning speakers in oratory, communication analysis, and extemporaneous speaking. He has managed political campaigns, assisted in international human rights litigation, and consulted with candidates and advocacy groups on public debating and argument strategy. He has a law degree from the University of Wyoming, where he coached NPDA and NPTE national champions and NDT and CEDA elimination round participants.
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Nicole M.
- Summer Camp Instructor
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See Bio
Coach Nicole is an award-winning debate coach, nonprofit leader, and former National Debate Champion with a deep commitment to empowering students through speech and debate. As the first Black woman to win the National Debate Tournament (NDT) in 2017, she understands firsthand how debate fosters critical thinking, advocacy, and leadership skills that extend beyond competition. With over a decade of experience in coaching, program development, and nonprofit leadership, Nicole has worked with students at all levels—from novice debaters to national champions. She previously served as Executive Director of the Women’s Debate Institute, where she expanded access to debate education, and developed initiatives to create more inclusive and equitable debate spaces. Nicole’s impact in the debate world extends globally. She has led international training programs, designed anti-harassment initiatives for debate communities. She is thrilled to join Potomac Debate, bringing her expertise in coaching, mentorship, and strategic program development to the team. Nicole looks forward to working with students, fostering their growth, and continuing to build a culture of excellence and inclusion in debate.
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