Hi there! I’m Coach Hart — a lifelong lover of communication, performance, and all things Speech & Debate. I’ve been coaching since 2010 and have proudly served as the head coach of the Jay Speech and Debate Team at Jefferson City High School since 2014. I’m passionate about helping students find their voice, grow their confidence, and compete with integrity, skill, and heart.

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🎓EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

• Lamar High School (Missouri) - Class of 2007

• Southwest Baptist University (Missouri) - B.S. in Communication (Speech & Theatre Education) - Class of 2011

• Lincoln University (Missouri) - M.Ed in Counseling (K-12 Educational Counseling) - Class of 2023

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🏆 COACHING EXPERIENCE

• 2010–2011 – Student Teacher/Coach, Parkview High School (MO)

• 2011–2013 – Head Coach, Lyons High School (KS)

• 2014–Present – Head Coach, Jefferson City High School (MO)

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❤️WHY I LOVE COACHING

The best part of my job isn’t the trophies — it’s the people. Every student I coach teaches me something new about the world and about myself. Coaching isn’t just a job to me. It’s a calling. It’s a front-row seat to watching young people grow into powerful, compassionate, intelligent leaders.

 

Helping students develop their voice, their courage, and their character is my greatest joy. My only hope is that I pour into them half as much as they’ve poured into me.

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🌟COACHING HIGHLIGHTS

Over the years, I’ve coached hundreds of incredible students. Together, we’ve brought home state titles, national finalist honors, team sweepstakes awards, and memories that will last a lifetime. Some of the highlights include:

• Over 1000+ individual awards

• Top 30 Public Forum Team at NSDA Nationals

• Top 16 Policy Debate Team at NSDA Nationals

• Top 16 DUO Interp at NSDA Nationals

• 2nd Place Prose at NSDA Nationals

• National Champions in DUO Interp at NCFL Nationals

• 4th Place Original Oratory at NSDA Nationals

• 5th Place Original Oratory at NSDA Nationals

• Top 30 Dramatic Performance at NCFL Nationals

• 6th Place Dramatic Performance at NCFL Nationals

• State Champion Storytelling in Missouri

• State Champion Policy Debate in Missouri

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🎭 MY COMPETITIVE PAST

I wasn’t just a coach — I was once in your shoes. I competed for Lamar High School and Southwest Baptist University, where I racked up over 100 individual awards and earned the title of National Champion in Parliamentary Debate (2010).

 

Notable Achievements:

• Pi Kappa Delta All-American

• 3rd Place National Finalist in Oratory

• Interstate Oratorical Association Qualifier

• 2007 Missouri State Qualifier in Policy Debate

• National Champion in Parli Debate (PKD 2010)

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🙌 ADVICE TO A NEWCOMER

Have fun — seriously! This journey might challenge you, but you’ll never walk it alone. There’s a team ready to cheer you on, help you grow, and celebrate every win (big or small). Say yes to new rounds, scary speeches, long bus rides, and late-night laughs. This activity changes lives. And trust me…it’s worth giving a shot.

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🙌 FUN FACTS ABOUT ME

• I have a very irrational fear of cotton balls. I avoid them like the plague.

• I lost 100 lbs. between my first and second years of teaching — all thanks to my students’ encouragement.

• I’m a total Christmas fanatic. Black Friday shopping? My Super Bowl.

• I sing, I play trumpet, and I’ll challenge anyone to a karaoke battle.

• My favorite music? Everything from jazz to pop — if it’s got soul, I’m in.

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