COMMITTED TO STUDENT GROWTH
Our Classes
Our goal is to help young people find their voice in a world that often tells them to just listen. By implementing various activities, our students are able to formulate how they want to be perceived as a strong and confident speaker. Classes consist of working on speaking drills, activities, and training for specific events. These events can be used to compete at competitions, but they will also be used to helped develop general speaking skills. These events help build confidence while presenting, research skills, persuasive speaking, writing skills, logic & reasoning, analytical thinking, and knowledge of current events.
If you are interested in creating a zoom class, please let us know!
Elementary
Speech & Debate
​Elementary School Speech & Debate - $935
----This class is perfect for students in the 3rd-5th grade. It is designed to help young students find joy and confidence in public speaking. Students will play speaking games, perform speeches and stories, and practice researching prompts. Through the school year, we may learn events like Spontaneous Argumentation, Informative Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Storytelling, Declamation, TEDtalk Writing, and Congressional Debate. Students will prepare events they can take to elementary tournaments offered through the year. Our goal is to help each student find a little more confidence in public speaking that they can use in all areas of their life. Class size is limited to 8-9 students.
Mondays - 5:30-7:00 PM
August 17 - December 14 - (16 classes) - No classes 9/7, 11/23
Taught by Coach Maya Origel
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Tuesdays - 3:45-5:15 PM Waitlist Only
August 18 - December 8 - (16 classes) - No class 11/24
Taught by Coach Maya Origel
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Tuesdays - 5:15-6:45 PM
August 18 - December 8 - (16 classes) - No class 11/24
Taught by Coach Samira Husein
Wednesday- 4:00-5:30 PM
August 19 - December 9 - (16 classes) - No class 11/25
Taught by Coach Oscar Eguia
Wednesday- 5:30-7:00 PM
August 19 - December 9 - (16 classes) - No class 11/25
Taught by Coach Maya Origel
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Thursday- 4:00-5:30 PM
August 20 - December 10 - (16 classes) - No class 11/26
Taught by Coach Chloe Dang
Thursday- 5:30-7:00 PM
August 20 - December 10 - (16 classes) - No class 11/26
Taught by Coach Chloe Dang
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Fridays - 4:00-5:30 PM Waitlist Only
August 21 - December 11 - (16 classes) - No class 11/27
Taught by Coach Kimberly Alvarado
Fridays - 5:30-7:00 PM
August 21 - December 11 - (16 classes) - No class 11/27
Taught by Coach Kimberly Alvarado
Saturday - 9:15-10:45 AM
August 22 - December 12 - (16 classes) - No class 11/28
Taught by Coach Tanya Everett
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Saturday - 12:30-2:00 PM
August 22 - December 12 - (16 classes) - No class 11/28
Taught by Coach Maneh Davityan
Middle School Speech & Debate
Middle School Speech & Debate - $975
---This class is designed to enrich 6th-8th grade students' public speaking skills by building confidence, analytical skills, research skills, and quick thinking through creating and practicing speech & debate events. Students engage in presentation and research games and exercises in order to build the skills needed to use public speaking in other aspects of their lives such as class presentations, students elections, science fair projects, and internships and college interviews. Through the school year, we may learn events like Spontaneous Argumentation, Original Oratory (persuasive writing), Informative Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous, Storytelling, Declamation, TEDtalk Writing, and Congressional Debate. Students will prepare events to take to the tournaments offered throughout the year. Students are welcome to compete with their school team or with the Speech & Debate Institute's team as we want to ensure support for all of our students' goals. Class size is limited to 8-9 students. ​
Mondays - 4:00-5:30 PM
August 17 - December 14 - (16 classes) - No classes 9/7, 11/23
Taught by Coach Oscar Eguia
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Mondays - 5:30-7:00 PM
August 17 - December 14 - (16 classes) - No classes 9/7, 11/23
Taught by Coach Oscar Eguia
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Tuesdays - 3:45-5:15 PM Waitlist Only
August 18 - December 8 - (16 classes) - No class 11/24
Taught by Coach Poema Oleas Mekhitarian
Tuesdays - 3:45-5:15 PM
August 18 - December 8 - (16 classes) - No class 11/24
Taught by Coach Samira Husein
Wednesday - 5:30-7:00 PM August 19 - December 9 - (16 classes) - No class 11/25
Taught by Coach Oscar Eguia
Thursdays - 5:30-7:00 PM
August 20 - December 10 - (16 classes) - No class 11/26
Taught by Coach Maya Origel
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Fridays - 4:00-5:30 PM Waitlist Only
August 21 - December 11 - (16 classes) - No class 11/27
Taught by Coach Poema Oleas Mekhitarian​
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Saturday - 9:15-10:45 AM
August 22 - December 12 - (16 classes) - No class 11/28
Taught by Coach Maneh Davityan
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Saturday - 11:00-12:30 PM
August 22 - December 12 - (16 classes) - No class 11/28
Taught by Coach Maneh Davityan
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Saturday - 12:30-2:00 PM
August 22 - December 12 - (16 classes) - No class 11/28
Taught by Coach Tanya Everett
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Middle School Debate - $1250
---This two-hour class is designed to focus on 6th-8th graders who are wishing to focus more on debate. This course will focus on Parliamentary Debate and Lincoln Douglas Debate. Students also wishing to improve in MSPDP debate with their school programs will benefit from the skills of this class. The class will start with introducing the structure of the particular debate, how to research effectively, the structure of case writing, creating rebuttals, and how to respond to your opponents. Students are welcome to compete with their school teams or with the S&D Institute as we want to ensure support for all of our students' goals. Class size is limited to 8 students.
Friday - 5:30-7:30 PM
August 21 - December 11 - (16 classes) - No class 11/27
Taught by Coach Poema Oleas Mekhitarian
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**Advanced class options available to 8th Grade students. Description in the High School section**
High School
Speech & Debate
​High School + 8th Grade DEBATE - $1250
---This class is designed to focus on 8th-12th graders who are wishing to compete at debate tournaments. Students wishing to improve in MSPDP debate with their school programs will benefit from the skills of this class. This course will focus on Parliamentary Debate and Public Forum Debate. They will start with introducing the structure of the particular debate, how to research effectively, the structure of case writing, creating rebuttals, and how to respond to your opponents. Students wanting to work on their debate events with guidance and feedback from coaches should take this class. Students are welcome to compete with their school team or the S&D Institute as we want to ensure support for all of our students' goals. Class size is limited to 8 students.
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Thursdays - 6:00-8:00 PM - 2 hour class
August 20 - December 10 - (16 classes) - No class 11/26
​Taught by Coach Poema Oleas Mekhitarian
Private & Semi Private Lessons
Private & Semi Private lessons are for students that work better in 1-to-1 or smaller class environments. These classes can be created for your specific small group or individual needs. We can cover a range of lessons in general public speaking, writing, school interviewing, application editing, auditioning, and competition preparation in speech and debate events. ​
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To pair up with the right coach, please check their bios here. Book Coaches below or contact us for more information to create a class that's best for you.
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Coach Maggie Woodward:
https://calendly.com/maggieewoodward​​​​
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Coach Poema Oleas Mekhitarian:
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Coach Tanya Everett:
https://calendly.com/tanya-everett-1
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Coach Edward Rumbos-Perez:
https://calendly.com/edward_rumbos-perez
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Coach Frida Ramirez:
https://calendly.com/ramirezfrida99
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Coach Tiffany Dunia:
https://calendly.com/tiffany-dunia
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Coach Cameron Coolidge:
https://calendly.com/cameronc232589
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Coach Alison Kalmus:
https://calendly.com/aekalmus​​
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Coach Maya Origel:
Please email SpeechandDebateInstitute@gmail.com
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Coach Edward Hamel:
Please email SpeechandDebateInstitute@gmail.com
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Coach Madison Lin:
Please email SpeechandDebateInstitute@gmail.com​​​
1st and 2nd Grade Speech
1st and 2nd Grade Speech & Debate - $820
---This class is for 1st-2nd graders to learn the basics of public speaking. They will work on speaking clearly, annunciating, and learning how to present an argument. Our focus is on building confidence and having fun for this age group. They will act out stories, argue about their likes and dislikes, and practice reading speeches from TEDtalks kids in order to build up their skills. This class will be a foundational tool in any child's life, particularly helpful to children who continue down the speech and debate path. Class size is limited to 8-9 students. ​
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Wednesdays - 4:00-5:30 PM
August 19 - December 9 - (16 classes) - No class 11/25
​Taught by Coach Maya Origel
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Thursdays - 4:00-5:30 PM
August 20 - December 10 - (16 classes) - No class 11/26
Taught by Coach Maya Origel
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Friday - 4:00-5:30 PM
August 21 - December 11 - (16 classes) - No class 11/27
Taught by Coach Maya Origel
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Creative and Essay Writing
Elementary School Writing - $935
----This class is tailored to help 3rd-5th grade students improve their writing abilities, both for academic essay writing and creative writing. Through English Language Arts skill-building exercises and assignments, students will become not only more organized, creative, and better at essay writing, but also more proficient in structure, grammar, and giving a voice to their ideas. Incorporating figurative language, they will animate their writing with vivid details, characters, and well-researched subjects. Students will study how to revise and edit their work to produce writing they are proud to submit. Class size is limited to 8-9 students.
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Mondays - 4:00-5:30 PM
August 17 - December 14 - (16 classes) - No classes 9/7, 11/23
Taught by Coach Maya Origel​
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Saturday - 11:00-12:30 PM
August 22 - December 12 - (16 classes) - No class 11/28
Taught by Coach Tanya Everett​​​​​
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Competition Classes
*NEW* Elementary Competition Class- $1210
---This 2-hour class is designed for 3rd-5th grade students who want to apply their prior experience in both Speech and Debate at the competitive level. Students will work in tandem with their coach to prepare events like Impromptu, SPAR, Informative, Oratory, Storytelling, or Declamation for tournaments. Because this class is geared toward preparing students for Speech & Debate events they have prior knowledge in, only students who have previous experience at SDI may enroll in this class. Our goal is to help each student find an event they enjoy to take to tournaments. Class size is limited to 8 students.
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Tuesdays - 5:15-7:15 PM (2 hours)
August 18 - December 8 - (16 classes) - No class 11/24
Taught by Coach Poema Oleas Mekhitarian
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*NEW* Middle School Competition Class - $1250
---This 2-hour class is designed for 6th-8th students who want to apply their prior experience in both Speech and Debate at the competitive level. Students will work in tandem with their coach to prepare events like Impromptu, SPAR, Informative, Oratory, Storytelling, Declamation, Extemporaneous, or Humorous Interp for tournaments. Because this class is geared toward preparing students for Speech & Debate events they have prior knowledge in, only students who have previous experience at SDI may enroll in this class. Our goal is to help each student find an event they enjoy and learn how to compete in it at tournaments. Class size is limited to 8 students.
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Tuesdays - 5:15-7:15 PM (2 hours)
August 18 - December 8 - (16 classes) - No class 11/24
Taught by Coach Maya Origel