Geathers,+Andrew

Years of Experience: 10+ (coaching and debating)

School affiliated with: Bedford Academy High School

I am a teacher at Bedford Academy HS, coaching a brand new team. I have debated and coached on every level: HS, MS, and college. I tend to see myself as a judge who is open to what you tell me to vote on. However, I want clean debates, clearly articulated arguments, and good decorum. While I have not judge any debates on this topic, I am pretty well versed in education reform literature as I have a MAster's in it and currently teachers under those same structures. In saying that, I like very specific debates on many of the issues that plague this nation's education system. Leave you generic strategies at home and come with some creative strategies that really push the critical thinking skills inside of the round.
 * Topicality: T is for me is a hit or miss. If it is explained well and the argumentation is strong, then I will vote on it. I will never default to judge intervention. The topicality debate should develop itself. Abuse stories, especially, need to be proven to me, i.e. in order to win on topicality, I need an explicit description of how the abuse manifests itself in the round. If none of these things happen, I will not vote on it. *Addition: Being that this year's topic is education reform, I feel that there is way too much literature out there to just say that a team is simply untopical because you failed to do research. Make the extra effort to explain either:
 * 1) a. Why the affirmative's interpretation of the resolution is problematic OR
 * 2) b. Why the framers' scope of what education reform should look like is a problem for the focus area.
 * Kritiks: As I get older, I find that there is little to no creativity when it comes to making these arguments. Everyone is saying the same thing, which is pretty boring. The Kritik is by far my favorite position. So by default, I am looking for an excellent debate. This means a couple of things:
 * The explanation of the K needs to be done outside of the jargon of the author: for example, if you are running D&G, don't drop the term rhizomatic expansion and think that I know what that means. Explain it. Nothing gets me upset than a K team that drops terms and does not explain how those terms interact with the argument.
 * The more specific the link the more likely I am going to vote on it. I HATE GENERIC LINKS WITH A PASSION! Generic links illustrate lazy K debating. C'mon Son! If you are going to run the K, make sure that there a substantial and qualitative link scenario.
 * The alternative, I feel is the most important mechanism of the K. Therefore, take careful consideration as to what the alternative will be. I have voted on simple reject alternatives. I don't like voting on these alternatives too much. I like an alternative that does something more than just reject.
 * Be reminded that I am a teacher. You should be able to explain what your alternative looks like in the world of the classroom. Take that extra step to contextualize your alternative. It's nice (I guess) to say historical materialism but do not explain it in the world of education reform or even the classroom is a sure fire way for me to ignore the alternative.
 * Disadvantages: Even though I and DAs are not the best of friends, I have and will vote on it. I don't like shallow disad debates, which includes nonstop card reading and no real argumentation. This rings true for Politics. I prefer specificity on the DA. If I don't get that, then don't assume that I will vote on it.
 * Counterplans: The CP has to make sense especially since the topic is education reform. The CP text needs to be stated clearly along with any planks that are added to the CP. Comparative solvency debates are the best way to get my ballot. Explain why your mechanism is the best one to solve the problem described in the 1AC. A good CP is able to create doubt as to why the aff's plan is needed in the first place, so as debaters you should create that doubt.
 * Performance: Over the years, I have seen some performance arguments that dealt with the resolution and others that ignore the resolution altogether. I think that this year's topic is important because all of you occupy a place within education as you are students. In saying that, PLEASE ensure that your performance is at the very least resolutional. It's alright to talk about the resolution and its underlying assumptions. This is a good way to ensure that I am engaged in the round and makes you sound credible. If you are not going to talk about the topic in any way, I'm probably not the judge for you. When debating these arguments, please have an argument that makes sense. Framework is not a position on its own: it is just a way for me to look at impacts. You still have to answer the argument.

Ultimately, the last two speeches in the debate should help me in writing my decision. If that does not happen, then you leave me to my own devices in terms of looking at the flow and interpreting the flow for myself

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Additional Things to know:
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Prep time ends when the flash drive leaves the computer.
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">I don't want to be in your email chain. Good debaters are able to explain why they win with out<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">having me call for evidence.
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">A 30 speech does not exist (at least at the HS level) so don't expect one.
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Do not ask me what my preferences are: I will tell you how I like my steak, which sneakers I am going to buy, etc. Ask direct questions, assuming that you read this paradigm.
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Real world examples of how the aff/neg works help you.
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">I am okay with speed....just make sure I understand you. I will make faces if I don't understand you.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Any questions: feel free to contact me @ andrewgeathers@gmail.com.