Community Learning Series
Community
noun
1: a unified body of individuals
2: a social state or condition
3: society at large
Speech and debate is blessed with communities of students who bring various identities, ideologies, and lived experiences to teams and tournaments and coaches who serve as mentors and sources of support. Recognizing the importance of coaches in creating strong speech and debate communities, we aim to provide opportunities for them to sharpen their knowledge and awareness of diverse identities and discuss strategies to help make the best environment for students possible.
The Community Learning Series (CLS) is designed for coaches seeking ways to enhance their coaching practice and build a culture of inclusion on their teams and at tournaments. Participants will reflect on their communication practices and the environment they create for participation in speech and debate. Each unit includes a 45-minute video presenting the topic content and a short quiz. We offer monthly group-facilitated dialogues, during which we will discuss the video’s content and engage in activities that help us consider implementing the content.
About the Community Learning Series
Mission
The Community Learning Series teaches foundational communication practices for building inclusive communities within speech and debate.
Vision
A community of coaches equipped with communication skills to help foster environments that welcome and retain participants on their speech and debate teams.
By participating in the CLS, you will:
- develop knowledge, awareness, and skills necessary to effectively and successfully interact with diverse identities and ideologies;
- learn ways to engage in effective communication and build inclusive communities within teams, tournaments, etc.;
- identify personal assumptions, preconceived notions, and biases that may lead to harmful communication practices; and
- learn new ways to encourage culturally responsive ballots and/or create educational opportunities for judges attending a tournament for the first time.
Unit Content
The Community Learning Series comprises four one-hour units, including a video and quiz (found on NSDA Learn). Participants may complete individual sessions or all four. Completion of each unit earns a certificate indicating one hour of professional development.
Videos will be available on NSDA Learn October 1.
Topics for each unit are as follows:
- Unit 1: Multicultural Competence
- Unit 2: Communication Errors: Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions
- Unit 3: Building an Inclusive Community
- Unit 4: Culturally Responsive Feedback
Group-Facilitated Dialogues
Our group-facilitated dialogue sessions bring coaches together to discuss challenging topics, reflect on our communication practices, share our stories, and offer tips for providing a more equitable and inclusive community. We welcome participants’ identities, ideologies, lived experiences, and value systems. Regardless of our differences, the CLS is a safe and encouraging space.
Note: Participants in the Community Learning Series are expected to follow all NSDA guidelines, including our Core Values, Code of Honor, and Harassment and Discrimination Policy.
To encourage civil and constructive dialogue, the CLS employs the following conversation agreements:
LISTEN ACTIVELY
We will listen, reflect, and respond when appropriate. We will be present in the conversation.
PRACTICE MINDFUL COMMUNICATION
We recognize that we are a community of different identities, lived experiences, and ideologies. We will consider the consequences of our communication and how it might help or harm our goals.
BE PATIENT
We all have different levels of experience and knowledge. We will enter each dialogue with the mindset that we’re here to learn, not teach.
SHOW KINDNESS
The Community Learning Series aims to help make all of us better coaches. These are dialogues, not debates. We’re here to share our stories, listen, ask questions, and learn. We are insistent on kindness.
CALL PEOPLE FORWARD INSTEAD OF CALLING PEOPLE OUT
Calling out assumes malice. Calling forward invites people into a conversation and relies on patience, empathy, and grace.
Group-Facilitated Dialogue Schedule
All sessions start at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Introducing the Community Learning Series
October 23
This kickoff session introduces the fundamental concepts of the Community Learning Series. As a group, we will discuss the program’s mission, vision, and goals, establish guidelines and expectations, and set personal goals for participation in the CLS.
Multicultural Competence
November 20
Communication Errors: Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions
January 22
Inspired by the book The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication, this session focuses on ways our communication (despite the best intentions) can be harmful and even destructive to a team culture. Topics discussed include (but are not limited to) unconscious bias, microaggressions, communication avoidance, secrets, teasing, and bullying.
Building an Inclusive Community
February 19
Inclusive communities bring together diverse identities and ideologies, work to ensure fairness, and invite all members to participate in decision-making processes. This session presents the advantages of an inclusive community, outlines steps for community building, and explores constructive dialogue to address moments of disagreement and conflict.
Culturally Responsive Feedback
March 19
Regardless of experience level, every coach and judge is responsible for fostering a safe and culturally responsive educational environment—both in competition spaces and beyond. The best examples of this responsibility are on the ballot and in coaching sessions. This final session explains the importance of culturally responsive feedback and offers tips on how to enhance the student experience positively and productively.