Meet Teacher Jordan, a dynamic debate educator with an impressive background in competitive debating. As the captain of the Georgetown Debate Union, he led his team to victory in the Qatar Universities Debate League and has been a vital part of public discussions at Hamad Bin Khalifa University. He even represented Georgetown at the European Universities Debate Championship, earning the title of #1 speaker in Qatar.
What sparked your interest in debate, and what was your first experience like?
My first experience in debate was exhilarating and nerve wrecking. I had 2 pages full of notes I waned to talk about in my 7 minute speech, but the structured bullet points on my notes turned into a scramble of incoherent phrases out of my mouth. I was immediately hooked on how much strategy, preparation, and quick thinking was involved.
My interest in debate sparked when I lost my first debate arguing for a position that I firmly believed in. I was shocked at the different perspective my opponent offered and felt my world as I knew it shattered and got a little bigger. The realization that there are always two sides to any motion is what hooked me into debate.
Can you share a memorable win or loss from your debating days? What did it teach you?
I was asked to represent my school in a nationwide televised debate about Middle Eastern Politics, especially surrounding the role of Saudi Arabia and the GCC. I was going up against seasoned debaters that represented one of the countries in the middle east. Since I was not from the region, I felt like I lacked the cultural understanding behind the decision making of leaders of state and did not feel like I had enough historical context of the motion.
On debate day, I was able to set aside my doubts and made the argument backed by facts. I pleaded that yes I am new to the region, but bringing in diverse viewpoints allows for fresh insights and can help bridge gaps in understanding complex issues like Middle Eastern politics.
Although I wasn’t as familiar with the regional nuances, I focused on universal principles like diplomacy, cooperation, and the value of cross-cultural dialogue.
To my surprise, this approach resonated with the audience and judges. I won the debate, and it was a powerful reminder that sometimes an "outsider" perspective can offer valuable clarity. This experience taught me that confidence in your unique viewpoint, backed by solid research and an open mind, can be as impactful as deep familiarity. It reminded me that debate isn't just about winning with the "perfect" argument—it's about contributing meaningfully to the conversation.
How did you prepare for big competitions, and what advice would you give to current debaters for handling competition stress?
Practice, Practice, Practice! A lot of the stress and anxiousness comes from feeling underprepared and not feeling good enough. Practice eases that because it means I am one step closer to where I want to be. For current debaters that are dealing with competition stress, I’d encourage them to remember two things: 1) Being nervous means that you care. 2) There is no perfection, so make sure you get a good night’s sleep the day before and show up the day of with a smile!
How has your perspective on debate changed since you became a teacher?
My perspective on debate has changed so much since I became a teacher. As a debater, I saw debate as a skill to eloquently present my arguments and explain why my side is more convincing. As a teacher, debate became looking at the bigger picture, and truly understanding and then addressing why we are talking about the issue at hand. The journey is equally if not more important than the outcome of the debate. I learn a lot from my students as well, so I always encourage my students to challenge my ideas and assumptions.
What’s one thing you wish you knew as a debater that you now know as a teacher?
The result of one debate doesn’t define your career or debate skills. Every loss is just as valuable as a win, and debate is an inherently subjective area. Keep your head up and continue doing what you are doing with purpose and the results will follow! The people you meet, the new perspectives you gain, and the lessons you will pick up along the way will all come in handy outside of the classroom.