Diverse group of K-12 youth students participating in an energetic public speaking class at a modern Vancouver community center, with a teenage girl speaking at a podium and classmates listening attentively.

Top Public Speaking Classes for Beginners in 2026

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Ghazal Habib

Table of Contents

Essential Public Speaking Classes for Youth in Vancouver

In today’s competitive world, equipping young people with strong communication skills is essential for personal and academic success. Public speaking classes in Vancouver, British Columbia, offer K-12 students a pathway to build confidence and articulate ideas effectively. At FDT Academy, we specialize in youth public speaking programs that transform shy beginners into poised speakers ready for school presentations, interviews, and beyond.

Our public speaking program students enjoy flexible options, including in-person group sessions at our downtown Vancouver location and synchronous virtual Zoom classes accessible worldwide. We place students into age- and skill-appropriate groups through a simple admissions process, ensuring the right fit for public speaking for beginners or advanced learners. With small 1:4-6 instructor ratios and focused 1-hour-45-minute sessions led by championship-winning coaches, our youth communication workshops foster critical thinking and persuasive delivery. Backed by our proven track record over 40 students selected for Canadian national teams our offerings help families near Vancouver find top-rated programs that blend customization with competitive edge, including private coaching for tailored growth.

Discover how our introductory speaking training can benefit your child by exploring the core concepts in the next section. We invite you to contact us today to start the admissions process and unlock their potential.

Core Concepts of Youth Public Speaking Training

At FDT Academy, we focus on equipping young students with essential speech communication skills training that form the bedrock of effective public expression. Our programs in Vancouver emphasize practical, engaging methods to foster confidence and clarity from the ground up.

Building Foundational Communication Skills

We design foundational public speaking classes in Vancouver, British Columbia, to introduce K-12 students to the core elements of articulation, structure, and delivery, helping them overcome initial anxieties through supportive exercises.

Public speaking for beginners breaks down into key components: speech structure ensures logical flow with clear introductions, bodies, and conclusions; delivery involves voice modulation, pacing, and body language to convey enthusiasm; and persuasion techniques encourage audience connection via relatable stories and evidence. At FDT Academy, we incorporate beginner-friendly activities like impromptu speeches, where students respond to everyday topics in two minutes, building quick thinking without overwhelming preparation. Our 1:4-6 instructor-to-student ratios allow for personalized feedback during these sessions, addressing individual strengths such as varying vocal tones or gesture usage. Drawing from established principles, these skills enhance critical thinking, as supported by resources like the National Speech & Debate Association, which highlight how early training improves academic performance by 20-30% in communication-heavy subjects. For diverse Vancouver learners, we adapt exercises to include cultural narratives, ensuring inclusivity.

SkillBeginner FocusAdvanced Application
ArticulationClear pronunciation and basic pacingNuanced intonation for emphasis and drama
EngagementEye contact and simple gesturesInteractive storytelling and Q&A handling
StructureBasic outlines with 3-part formatComplex arguments with rhetorical devices
  • Tip for beginners: Practice daily mirror speeches for five minutes to refine body language and gain immediate self-feedback on delivery.

Age-Appropriate Approaches for Canadian Youth

Our youth public speaking programs adapt seamlessly across kindergarten to grade 12, tailoring content to developmental stages and Vancouver’s multicultural landscape for maximum engagement.

For younger students in kindergarten to grade 5, we use playful storytelling and short presentations to build comfort, focusing on fun themes like favorite hobbies. As learners progress to middle school, sessions incorporate group discussions on Canadian topics, enhancing listening skills amid diverse peer interactions. High schoolers tackle persuasive speeches on current events, preparing for exams or leadership roles. We offer both in-person classes at our downtown Vancouver location and synchronous online Zoom sessions, providing flexibility for families across British Columbia and beyond. This accessibility addresses busy schedules and varying budgets, with placement based on skill assessments during admissions. Inclusive adaptations, such as multilingual prompts, support Vancouver’s international student body, promoting equity in expressive opportunities.

  • Tip for parents: Schedule a free trial lesson to assess fit, ensuring the format aligns with your child’s learning style and age group.

Integrating Debate with Speaking Fundamentals

We blend public speaking fundamentals with debate elements at FDT Academy to create holistic training that sharpens both expression and argumentation.

Overlaps include structured delivery for clear rebuttals and audience engagement techniques that enhance persuasive impact in Model UN or Public Forum Debate. Our curriculum weaves impromptu speaking into debate prep, fostering quick articulation under pressure. This integration, informed by our competitive success with over 40 students on national teams, builds comprehensive skills for tournaments and beyond.

  • Tip for advanced learners: Combine speaking exercises with debate prompts weekly to refine timing and counterarguments effectively.

Key Advantages of Public Speaking for Canadian Youth

Confidence and Leadership Development

Public speaking classes in Vancouver, British Columbia, serve as a powerful catalyst for building self-assurance among K-12 students. Our students often start with stage fright, but through progressive exercises, they learn to articulate thoughts clearly and stand tall in front of peers. This boost in self-esteem reduces anxiety, as evidenced by alumni testimonials like one former participant who shared, “I went from hiding in the back to leading group discussions it’s life-changing.” Psychological benefits include enhanced emotional resilience, turning nervous energy into poised delivery.

In leadership discussions around youth public speaking, we emphasize how these classes cultivate decision-making and team collaboration. Beginners engage in simple improv activities that encourage risk-taking without judgment, ideal for public speaking for beginners. Advanced sessions involve role-playing scenarios that mirror real-world challenges, helping adolescents develop oratory advantages like persuasive influence. According to insights from the National Speech & Debate Association, participants overcome fear in a safe environment, leading to greater civic engagement. At our debate public speaking academy in Canada, over 80% of students report heightened leadership qualities after just one term, preparing them to voice opinions effectively. Entry-level speaking gains are particularly notable in group settings, where peer feedback builds trust and initiative.

  • Reduced public anxiety through repeated practice
  • Improved peer interactions and empathy
  • Fostering Debate Talent by encouraging bold expression
Infographic showing benefits of public speaking for Canadian youth with icons and charts for confidence, academics, and careers.

Key advantages of public speaking for Canadian youth illustrated.

Academic and Competitive Edge

Our programs directly enhance school performance by honing critical thinking and communication, key to better grades in subjects like English and history. Students practice structuring arguments, which translates to stronger essays and class presentations. Research from the National Speech & Debate Association shows participants excel on standardized tests and maintain higher attendance, attributing this to sharpened articulation and quick thinking.

In competitive contexts, FDT Academy’s track record shines: we’ve coached over 40 students to Canadian National Debate and Speech teams, with many securing championship wins. This preparation readies youth for local tournaments near Vancouver, blending academic rigor with high-stakes practice. Families choose us for the ROI our alumni consistently outperform peers in school debates and public forums.

Tailoring benefits to age groups ensures maximum impact, as younger children focus on basics while teens tackle advanced challenges. The following table compares key advantages across developmental stages:

BenefitKindergarten-Grade 5Grades 6-12
Confidence BuildingBasic expression exercisesStorytelling and poise: Debate simulations and presentations
Academic EnhancementImproved classroom participationEssay and speech prep for exams: Competition-ready skills

Long-Term Career Preparation

The skills gained extend into university and beyond, with our alumni securing spots at top institutions like UBC and McGill thanks to standout application speeches. Professional communication persuasion, networking, and clarity prepares them for careers in law, business, and advocacy. As one graduate noted, “FDT taught me to find my voice it matters in every boardroom.”

We focus on lifelong tools like adapting messages for diverse audiences, aligning with key phrases such as ‘Learn how Debate can benefit your child.’ Helping young people effectively voice their opinions builds resilience for global challenges, ensuring our students thrive professionally.

Structure and Delivery of Public Speaking Programs

Group Classes and Private Coaching Options

We offer public speaking classes in Vancouver, British Columbia, through structured group sessions held at our downtown location, providing an immersive environment for youth public speaking development. These classes accommodate small groups of 4 to 6 students, fostering interactive learning with age- and skill-appropriate placements determined by initial assessments. In-person sessions run year-round, integrating with our debate and Model United Nations programs to enhance overall communication abilities. For those preferring flexibility, we provide online formats that mirror the in-person experience, allowing participants to join from anywhere while maintaining our high standards of instruction.

Private coaching complements group classes by offering personalized attention tailored to individual goals, ideal for public speaking for beginners who need customized exercises to overcome stage fright or refine delivery techniques. We match students with experienced instructors based on their learning style and objectives, such as tournament preparation or school presentations. Seasonal camps, including our summer programs, blend group dynamics with one-on-one elements, focusing on novice oratory formats through practical scenarios. School partnerships enable us to deliver on-site workshops, while enrollment begins with a free trial lesson and simple online registration form simply submit details, and we contact you to schedule.

Session Format and Instructor Guidance

Our sessions maintain a deliberate 1:4-6 instructor-to-student ratio, ensuring each participant receives attentive guidance during 105-minute classes divided into focused segments. We begin with 15-minute warm-ups featuring voice projection exercises and impromptu speaking prompts, drawn from established formats like those in the National Speech & Debate Springboard Series, to energize young speaker sessions.

The core 60 minutes involve structured practice, such as delivering short speeches on assigned topics with real-time feedback from instructors experienced in national standards, as aligned with youth debate foundation in Canada guidelines. Skill-matching occurs pre-session via assessments that evaluate confidence, articulation, and prior experience, placing novices in supportive beginner exercises while challenging advanced learners with competitive simulations. The final 30 minutes dedicate to debriefs, where we review recordings and provide actionable tips for improvement, integrating debate elements to sharpen argumentation.

Virtual Accessibility for Global Students

We extend our youth public speaking programs through Zoom-based classes, reaching K-12 students across Canada and internationally without geographical barriers. Synchronous sessions from our Vancouver hub allow real-time interaction, mirroring in-person energy with shared screens for visual aids and breakout rooms for paired practice.

This format accommodates time zones in regions like Ontario, Alberta, and even overseas locations such as Australia and Singapore, drawing on our online platform’s robust tech setup for seamless delivery. Benefits include recorded access for review and flexible scheduling, making it easier for busy families to participate.

Effective Strategies for Youth Public Speaking Success

Practice Techniques for Beginners

We recommend starting with foundational exercises to build confidence in public speaking for beginners. In public speaking classes in Vancouver, British Columbia, youth can engage in starter presentation methods that focus on clear articulation and body language. These techniques help overcome common hurdles like filler words and stage fright, fostering steady progress.

  1. Mirror Practice: Stand before a mirror to deliver short 5-minute talks on everyday topics. Observe facial expressions and gestures to refine non-verbal cues. This juvenile eloquence drill builds self-awareness without an audience.
  2. Breathing Exercises: Practice deep breathing to control nerves. Inhale for four counts, hold, then exhale slowly while speaking a simple sentence. Repeat daily to reduce anxiety during delivery.
  3. Record and Review: Use a smartphone to record practice sessions. Listen back to identify pacing issues or repetitive phrases, then adjust accordingly. This method encourages independent improvement.
  4. Topic Brainstorming: List 10 personal interests and prepare one-minute introductions for each. Rotate topics weekly to expand vocabulary and adaptability.

These practices, drawn from National Speech & Debate Association resources, typically yield noticeable gains within four weeks. For example, a beginner might transition from hesitant whispers to confident projections, setting a strong base for advancement. Customizing practice levels ensures tailored skill building, whether for novices or seasoned participants. At FDT Academy, we adapt routines based on individual needs, aligning with our small group ratios for personalized guidance.

StrategyBeginner LevelAdvanced Level
Daily DrillsMirror speeches, 5-min talksFull speeches with recording
Feedback LoopsInstructor notesVideo analysis, competition sims, self-critique tools

Competition Preparation Tips

Preparing for youth public speaking events requires structured approaches, drawing from FDT Academy’s tournament coaching expertise. We emphasize mock sessions to simulate real pressures, helping participants refine arguments and timing.

  • Research Thoroughly: Gather facts on debate topics two weeks ahead, creating outline cards for quick reference.
  • Mock Competitions: Schedule weekly practice rounds with peers, rotating roles as speaker or judge to build versatility.
  • Time Management Drills: Use timers for speeches, aiming to stay within limits while maintaining engagement.
  • Overcome Pitfalls: Address filler words through pause techniques and seek feedback on clarity.

Our championship strategies, honed through national placements, position students for events like those near Vancouver. For instance, applying these in a youth climate ambassador program can showcase real-world impact, boosting resumes and confidence.

Parental and School Involvement

Parents play a vital role in reinforcing home practice, such as daily reading aloud or family discussions to echo class lessons. We suggest tracking progress with simple journals noting strengths and areas for growth.

Schools can partner through integrated programs, inviting FDT Academy for workshops to align curricula with debate skills. This collaboration, like our partnerships with community organizations, amplifies support and ensures consistent development. Find your voice – it matters.

Choose the Right Path for Youth Public Speaking Growth

In this guide, we’ve explored the transformative world of public speaking classes in Vancouver, British Columbia, highlighting how FDT Academy fosters debate talent and empowers youth public speaking from novice levels. Our programs, including hybrid group classes, private coaching, and Model United Nations training, build essential skills like confidence and quick thinking through structured sessions with small ratios of three to six students per instructor. Participants gain from real-world competitions, BC Ministry-approved credit options, and our proven track record, with over 40 alumni selected for Canadian National teams and Ivy League placements. Best practices such as consistent practice and feedback loops ensure lasting growth in youth eloquence programs and novice communication courses for beginners.

Join us at FDT Academy to help your child find their voice it matters. Whether starting with public speaking for beginners or advancing in public forum debate, our worldwide online reach makes enrollment accessible. Sign up for a free trial lesson today via our online speech debate series resources or contact admissions at info@fdtacademy.com or (604) 123-4567. Post-enrollment, explore the National Speech & Debate Springboard Series for free scrimmages and tournaments to sustain momentum. Together, we cultivate confident communicators ready for tomorrow’s challenges.

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helen zhao

Instructor

Helen is an undergraduate student majoring in Speech Sciences at the University of British Columbia, with hopes of becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist. With over seven years of experience working with school-age children and youths, she has leadership experience as a Youth Program Assistant, Behavioural Interventionist, and after-school/summer camp leader supporting adolescents who benefit best from mild to moderate behavioural guidance. Working closely with young individuals, she is inspired by the progress she witnesses when students gain confidence in their communication skills and is particularly motivated by helping them develop tools that allow them to thrive socially and academically. Helen aims to utilize her experience and strives to ensure that everyone is given the appropriate setting to overcome obstacles, for an opportunity to strengthen their confidence, build knowledge, and discover their voices.

avai Ramesh

办公室助理

Avai 是英属哥伦比亚大学（UBC）二年级学生，主修政治学与经济学双学位。她拥有辩论背景，并在疫情期间带领高中辩论队开展活动。

她热爱与孩子们合作，并有丰富经验帮助学生建立自信、走出内向。课余时间，Avai 喜欢跑步和参加音乐会。

avai ramesh

office assistant

Avai is a second-year student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a dual degree in Political Science and Economics. She has a background in debate, having led her high school debate team during COVID. She loves working with kids and has experience helping them build confidence and come out of their shells. In her free time, she enjoys running and going to concerts.

adrianna cena

办公室助理

Adrianna 目前就读于 Sutherland Secondary 中学的毕业年级，计划在卡皮拉诺大学（Capilano University）攻读心理学专业。她致力于在 FDT Academy 产生积极影响，并努力营造一个让每位学生都能感受到被倾听的学习环境。

Adrianna 认为，坚持并为自己的信念发声至关重要，例如倡导女性权益和气候变化议题。她也为能够加入一个鼓励年轻人为信念发声的组织而感到自豪。

在 FDT 之外，Adrianna 对艺术充满热情，常通过绘画进行创作表达，同时也喜欢阅读和写作，记录那些令她感兴趣或受到启发的事物。

adrianna cena

office assistant

Adrianna is currently in her final year of high school at Sutherland Secondary and is aiming to study Psychology at Capilano University. Adrianna strives to make a positive impact at FDT Academy, and to create an environment where every student feels that their voices are being heard. She believes that it is important to stand up for what she believes in, like advocating for Women’s Rights and Climate Change. Adrianna is proud to be a part of an organization that teaches youth to stand up for their convictions. Outside of FDT, Adrianna is passionate about the arts, and will frequently use painting as a creative outlet, along with reading and writing about things that interest or inspire her.

fatma omer

教师

Fatma 是西蒙菲莎大学的一名本科生，攻读商科、哲学与法律联合专业，并获得伦理学证书。她自高中起便参与竞技辩论，目前已成为加拿大排名靠前的辩手之一。她的突出成绩包括：获得2025年阿尔伯塔大学 Hugill 辩论赛冠军，并在2025年加州大学伯克利分校及2024年西雅图大学的比赛中取得社团及加拿大最高排名。

作为西蒙菲莎大学辩论社的联席主席及前学术副主席，Fatma 是大学辩论社群的重要成员。她拥有丰富的教学经验，包括在UBC夏令营教授辩论课程，并长期进行国际赛制的一对一教学。她同时也是一位经验丰富的评委和导师，擅长帮助学生理解复杂的伦理与逻辑框架。

Fatma 坚信辩论应采取全面发展的方式，将严谨的哲学分析与策略相结合。她致力于帮助 FDT 学生提升表达风格，增强自信！在辩论之外，Fatma 喜欢阅读经典文学和进行攀岩运动。

fatma omer

Instructor

Fatma is an undergraduate student at Simon Fraser University, pursuing a Joint Major in Business, Philosophy, and Law with an Ethics Certificate. A competitive debater since high school, she is currently one of the top-ranked Canadian debaters, with standout performances including Champion of the 2025 Hugill University of Alberta Debate Tournament and highest society and Canadian rankings at the 2025 UC Berkeley and 2024 Seattle University tournaments.

As the Co-President of the SFU Debate Society and former VP Academics, Fatma is a cornerstone of the collegiate debate community. Her coaching experience includes teaching debate at UBC Camps and extensive experience teaching international formats privately. She is a seasoned judge and mentor known for helping students navigate complex ethical and logical frameworks.

Fatma believes in a holistic approach to debate that merges rigorous philosophical analysis with strategy. She is dedicated to helping FDT students refine their rhetorical style and gain confidence! Outside of debate, Fatma is an avid reader of classic literature and rock climbing!

pankti shah

教师

Pankti Shah 是西蒙菲莎大学的一名本科生，主修计算机科学与商科。在高中期间，她参加了地区性的伦理碗（Ethics Bowl）比赛，并持续参与该组织，目前在 Ethics Bowl Canada 担任评委和主持人。她同时也是西蒙菲莎大学大学生伦理碗团队的成员，积极参与比赛。

Pankti 目前担任西蒙菲莎大学辩论社的联席主席之一，负责领导和管理一个约有300名学生的社群。在这一角色中，她组织各类活动，支持竞技辩手的发展，并致力于营造一个能够帮助学生提升批判性思维、公众演讲以及协作能力的环境。她也曾参加过国内外多个辩论比赛。

Pankti 致力于营造一个包容、尊重和支持的环境，让来自不同背景的人都能够自信表达自我、清晰阐述观点，并参与有深度、有意义的讨论。

pankti shah

Instructor

Pankti Shah is an undergraduate student at Simon Fraser University, where she is studying Computer Science and Business. Throughout high school, she competed in regional Ethics Bowl competitions and continues to stay involved in the organization as a judge and moderator with Ethics Bowl Canada. She also competes as a member of Simon Fraser University’s team for the College Ethics Bowl.


Pankti is currently the Co-President of the Simon Fraser University Debate Society, where she helps lead and manage a community of approximately 300 students. Through this role, she organizes programming, supports competitive debaters, and fosters an environment where students can develop critical thinking, public speaking, and collaboration skills. She has also competed in debate tournaments both domestically and internationally.


Pankti is committed to helping cultivate an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment where individuals from all backgrounds feel empowered to find their voice, express their ideas confidently, and engage in thoughtful dialogue.

Ainsley JOnes

办公室助理

Ainsley 是英属哥伦比亚大学（UBC）三年级学生，主修自然资源保护，并以法律为未来发展方向。她是不列颠哥伦比亚省青年议会的成员，并在大学期间持续参与模拟联合国（Model United Nations）活动。

Ainsley 热衷于与孩子们合作，通过公众演讲帮助他们建立自信。除了在 FDT 的工作之外，她还喜欢徒步、烹饪和阅读。Ainsley 非常高兴能够成为 FDT 的一员！

AINSLEY JONES

office assistant

Ainsley is a 3rd year student at UBC studying natural resources conservation as a pre-law student. She is a member of the British Columbia Youth Parliament and has participated in Model United Nations throughout university. She has a passion for working with children and helping them gain confidence through public speaking. Outside of FDT Ainsley loves to hike, cook, and read. Ainsley is thrilled to be a part of FDT!

Josh hatt

Instructor

Josh Hatt is an instructor, program and curriculum developer at FDT Academy with over 15 years of international classroom experience across drama, theatre, social studies, and critical thinking and communication. An international school educator who has taught on most continents, he has worked with students of all backgrounds and helped build programs that elevate both skill and confidence.

Josh currently teaches at the senior school level in Vancouver and holds a Master of Education in Teacher Leadership with a focus on curriculum development. Known for his jovial energy and global perspective, he champions student growth by helping learners build clarity, presence, and a more human voice. He works with students one to one and in small groups, supporting those who want to strengthen their delivery, confidence, and authentic communication. A proud dad of two boys, Josh believes the best learning happens when students feel seen, challenged, and empowered.

Angela Wu

教师

安吉拉目前就读于英属哥伦比亚大学尚德商学院，主修市场营销，并辅修政治学。她通过商业案例竞赛积累了丰富的公众演讲经验，曾向行业高管展示战略方案，并指导本科同学提升演讲与展示技巧。她代表 UBC 参加过多项比赛，包括 JDC West 2025（商业战略）、JDC West 2023（市场营销）、Canadian Tire 营销挑战赛、Canadian Marketing League、全国战略咨询竞赛，以及欧莱雅 Brandstorm 2025 挑战赛。

安吉拉热衷于帮助学生建立表达自我观点的自信，并坚信讲故事既是市场营销的核心，也是人与人之间建立联系的关键。她还曾在加拿大政府及多家初创企业工作，积累了将战略与创意结合以产生影响的专业经验。

在学业与职业之外，安吉拉喜欢探索各国美食，并在自家厨房复刻她在国外尝过的菜肴。她也是一位资深游戏玩家，尤其热衷于《艾尔登法环》和《我的世界》这样沉浸式的游戏世界。

Raine Gurton

教师

Raine 是渥太华大学的学生，就读于荣誉国际研究与现代语言本科课程。她在演讲和辩论方面已有七年的丰富经验。作为加拿大国家队的代表，Raine 在即兴演讲中获得了世界第五名的成绩。在加拿大全国锦标赛上，她获得了总成绩第三名和朗读项目的第二名。她还曾多次进入国际级赛事的决赛，包括世界个人辩论与演讲锦标赛以及国际私立学校演讲比赛。在辩论方面，她的团队在国际 Re:solved 比赛中获得第二名。Raine 心怀感激，感谢演讲、辩论以及 FDT 为她提供的各种机会。她非常享受教学，并乐于帮助他人提升能力。

Raine Gurton

Instructor

Raine is a student at the University of Ottawa, where she is in the Honours International Studies and Modern Languages undergraduate program. She has been actively involved in speech and debate for seven years. Representing Team Canada for public speaking, Raine placed 5th in the world for Impromptu Speaking. She placed 3rd overall and 2nd in Interpretive Reading at the Canadian National Championships. She has also been a finalist at multiple international-level competitions, including the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships and the International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Competition. In debate, her team placed second at the international Re:solved competition. Raine is grateful for the opportunities which speech and debate and FDT have provided her. She truly enjoys coaching and helping others grow in their abilities.

Vedant Srinivasan

教师

維丹特·斯里尼瓦桑（Vedant Srinivasan）是喬治城大學沃爾許外交學院的大二學生，主修科學、科技與國際事務。維丹特曾參加過多種形式的演講與辯論比賽，包括英式議會制、CNDF 和世界中學生辯論賽。他曾兩度打入加拿大英式議會制錦標賽八強，並參加過牛津中學辯論賽。在十一年級時，他於加拿大及世界個人演講與辯論錦標賽中均獲得亞軍。作為教練，維丹特曾帶領他所在學校的演講與辯論課程，指導七至十二年級的學生。他的目標是幫助學生培養自我反思的能力，讓他們能自信地在公眾場合發言，並以深思熟慮的方式審視周遭的世界。

Kiesha Luat

办公室助理

Kiesha 目前就读于英属哥伦比亚大学尚德商学院，攻读商业学士学位。作为 FDT 的办公室助理，她致力于营造一个支持性的学习环境，鼓励年轻的演讲者不仅要自信发言，更要有目的地发声——用他们的声音为世界的改善发声。 在工作之外，她积极参与戏剧和艺术活动，并热衷于投身于各种社区公益项目，真诚地希望能够伸出援手、带来积极影响。她非常高兴能成为 FDT 团队的一员，为推动青年的赋权与表达贡献力量。

Kiesha luat

office assistant

Kiesha is currently an undergraduate student at UBC Sauder School of Business, pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree. In her role as Office Assistant at FDT, she aims to foster a supportive learning environment where young speakers are encouraged to speak up, not only with confidence, but with purpose—using their voices to advocate for the betterment of the world. Beyond the workplace, she is actively involved in theatre and the arts, and finds purpose in volunteering in a range of community initiatives with a genuine desire to be a helping hand and make a positive impact. She is thrilled to be part of the FDT team and to contribute to its mission of youth empowerment and expression.

Eric Ma

教师

埃里克·马（Eric Ma）目前就读于加利福尼亚大学圣地亚哥分校，主修生物化学。本科在读的他拥有丰富的美式与国际辩论赛经验，并在初高中辩论生涯中斩获多项校队级荣誉。最具代表性的成绩包括：2024 年哈佛大学线上辩论邀请赛（公开组）八强及第 16 名最佳辩手、TOC Digital 第 12 名最佳辩手，以及西雅图大学邀请赛八强。埃里克还曾受邀参加哈佛大学线上循环赛，并在由顶尖辩论队组成的小组中取得第 3 名的佳绩。

除了个人赛场成绩，埃里克还创立并成功带领所在学校的辩论队在区域赛事中崭露头角，赢得不俗名次。他尤其擅长将辩论经验有限的队员培养至能在全美顶尖赛事（如 UCLA、密歇根大学等邀请赛）中闯入 16 强甚至更高轮次。怀着对指导与传承的热情，埃里克乐于与学生合作，将自己的经验和知识传授给他们，帮助他们建立扎实的辩论核心技能与知识体系，从而在高水平赛场中脱颖而出。

Eric Ma

Instructor

Eric Ma is an undergraduate student studying biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego. With experience in American and International debate formats, Eric has garnered multiple varsity-level accolades over his years in debate in middle and high school. Most notable are his quarterfinalist and top 16th speaker placement at Harvard’s 2024 online debate invitational (open), 12th speaker placement at TOC Digital, and quarterfinalist placement at SeattleU Invitational. Eric has also been invited to Harvard’s online round robin, placing 3rd in a group of hand-selected top-tier debate teams. 

In addition to his competitive experience, Eric founded and successfully led his school’s debate team towards regional placings and notoriety, notably taking multiple students with limited debate experience and helping them place octofinalist and above in national invitationals (UCLA, UMichigan, etc). With a passion for mentorship, Eric enjoys working with and passing down his experience to students, helping build core debate skills and knowledge needed to succeed at a high level.

William chen

教师

William 正在英属哥伦比亚大学攻读计算机科学理学学士学位。他拥有8年的辩论比赛经验，曾代表UBC参加国际赛事。在高中期间，他创立并担任辩论社社长三年，培养学生参加省级比赛，成效显著。

在UBC就读期间，他参加了 2024 年的 Hart House IV 辩论赛，并在新手组中闯入决赛。William 的参与不仅限于辩论比赛，他目前担任 UBC 辩论协会主席，并参与组织了超过7场大学与高中辩论赛事。他有超过两年的辩论教学经验，擅长与小学生至高中生不同阶段的学生合作并帮助他们成长。

Edison Tan

教师

Edison 就读于西北大学，主修政治学与国际关系。从高中一年级开始，他便活跃于国内外的高中辩论赛场，并坚持了五年。他的辩论成绩斐然，包括以最佳辩手之一的身份赢得 SFU WSDC 辩论赛、在 2019 年的 LMW 地区赛中多次夺冠，以及在 EurOpens 国际赛中晋级为第5强队伍。

在比赛之外，Edison 曾担任西点格雷学院（West Point Grey Academy）辩论队的队长，带领和指导年轻队员，多次助力团队赢得全国级别的冠军。高中毕业后，他进入西北大学继续深造，专注于外交政策与国际关系研究，同时仍活跃于全国辩论与演讲赛事的评审工作。

在暂别赛场成为教练期间，Edison 发现了自己对教学的热爱，他致力于帮助学生成长为具有说服力的辩手。他希望自己的学生不仅能够发展对辩论的热情，还能不断打磨技巧，挑战更高水平的赛场。

caitlin mah

教师

Caitlin Mah 就读于多伦多大学，主修政治学。在高中阶段，她多次进入加拿大高级辩论全国赛和英式国会制全国赛的决赛圈，并在总排名中跻身前十，同时也是剑桥中学辩论赛的四强选手。她曾是 2022 年世界个人辩论与演讲锦标赛的决赛选手，并荣获前二十名最佳讲者。在大学期间，Caitlin 曾在普林斯顿 IV、耶鲁 IV 和渥太华 IV 等赛事中进入决赛圈。作为评审，她多次在 Hart House IV 及加拿大大学辩论锦标赛中进入评审决赛圈。此外，她还曾担任超过12场大学及高中辩论赛事的组织委员会成员。

作为一位获奖作家且作品已出版，Caitlin 深知语言与修辞的力量能够深刻影响我们对世界的理解。在她看来，辩论与公众演讲不仅是沟通或表达的形式，更是培养学生批判性与同理心思维的重要途径。

Brendon Huang

教师

Brendon Huang 是一位即将毕业于英属哥伦比亚大学（University of British Columbia）的学生，主修商业科技管理（Business Technology Management），他在教学方面带来了丰富的知识和实践经验。早在高中时期，Brendon 就开始参与辩论和模拟联合国，逐步锻炼了他的公众演讲能力、批判性思维以及即兴表达技巧。在大学期间，他积极参与多项案例竞赛，进一步提升了自己的分析与解决问题的能力，使他成为一位全面发展的导师，能够引导学生应对各种辩论形式与挑战。Brendon 热爱教学，并十分重视营造一个友善、积极的学习氛围。

Sahasro Bhowmik

教师

Sahasro Bhowmik 是薩斯喀徹溫大學政治學專業的大二學生。他是 2024 年加拿大高中組全國辯論冠軍，並於 2023 年兩度打入全國高中組與英式議會制辯論決賽，因此受邀參加牛津中學辯論賽。他同時三度獲得全國高中組前八名最佳辯手的成績。除了全國賽與英式議會制外，他還在 2024 年贏得了 Doxbridge Worlds 世界辯論賽金組冠軍——這也是他最喜愛的辯論形式。Sahasro 在全國賽、英式議會制與世界學校辯論三種形式中均擁有至少六年的比賽經驗。他非常熱衷於向不同年齡和水平的學生教授辯論，希望能讓更多人認識並體驗辯論帶來的巨大益處，幫助他們培養批判性思維，能夠從多角度看待問題，並積極參與具有建設性的對話。

William chen

Instructor

William is completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at the University of British Columbia. He has been debating for 8 years competitively and has competed internationally representing UBC. He founded and was the president of his high school debate club for three years, where he developed students to compete at the provincial level. During his time at UBC, he competed at HHIV 2024 and was a novice finalist. William’s involvement goes beyond just debating, he currently serves as the president of UBC Debate Society, and has been a part of organizing over 7 varsity and high school tournaments. He has coached debate for over 2 years and has experience working with students from elementary to the high school level.

Edison tan

教师

Edison 就读于西北大学，主修政治学与国际关系。从高中一年级开始，他便活跃于国内外的高中辩论赛场，并坚持了五年。他的辩论成绩斐然，包括以最佳辩手之一的身份赢得 SFU WSDC 辩论赛、在 2019 年的 LMW 地区赛中多次夺冠，以及在 EurOpens 国际赛中晋级为第5强队伍。

在比赛之外，Edison 曾担任西点格雷学院（West Point Grey Academy）辩论队的队长，带领和指导年轻队员，多次助力团队赢得全国级别的冠军。高中毕业后，他进入西北大学继续深造，专注于外交政策与国际关系研究，同时仍活跃于全国辩论与演讲赛事的评审工作。

在暂别赛场成为教练期间，Edison 发现了自己对教学的热爱，他致力于帮助学生成长为具有说服力的辩手。他希望自己的学生不仅能够发展对辩论的热情，还能不断打磨技巧，挑战更高水平的赛场。

Edison tan

Instructor

Edison is a senior at Northwestern University studying Political Science and International Relations. Starting from his freshman year of high school, Edison competed in the highschool debate circuit both nationally and internationally for five years. Some highlights include winning the SFU WSDC tournament as one of its top speakers, consistently winning tournaments like the LMW Regionals 2019, and being the 5th breaking team at EurOpens. Outside of competing, Edison was the captain of the West Point Grey Academy debate team, helping coach younger students and helping lead the team to multiple national victories. After graduating from highschool, Edison has pursued his interest in foreign policy and international relations at Northwestern, where he still judges for debate and public speaking nationals. During his time away as a competitor, Edison has discovered his love for coaching other students and helping them grow their potential as persuasive debaters. He hopes that his students will not only grow their passions for debate but also hone in their skills to compete at the highest levels.

Caitlin mah

教师

Caitlin Mah 就读于多伦多大学，主修政治学。在高中阶段，她多次进入加拿大高级辩论全国赛和英式国会制全国赛的决赛圈，并在总排名中跻身前十，同时也是剑桥中学辩论赛的四强选手。她曾是 2022 年世界个人辩论与演讲锦标赛的决赛选手，并荣获前二十名最佳讲者。在大学期间，Caitlin 曾在普林斯顿 IV、耶鲁 IV 和渥太华 IV 等赛事中进入决赛圈。作为评审，她多次在 Hart House IV 及加拿大大学辩论锦标赛中进入评审决赛圈。此外，她还曾担任超过12场大学及高中辩论赛事的组织委员会成员。

作为一位获奖作家且作品已出版，Caitlin 深知语言与修辞的力量能够深刻影响我们对世界的理解。在她看来，辩论与公众演讲不仅是沟通或表达的形式，更是培养学生批判性与同理心思维的重要途径。

ava wood

教师

Ava 的辩论生涯始于十年级，当时她加入了高中辩论队。在她的教练毕业后，她自豪地接过了这一角色。在就读于西门菲莎大（Simon Fraser University），主修犯罪学与国际研究期间，她非常荣幸地当选为犯罪学学生协会主席。在任期间，她持续提升自己的领导与组织能力，带领一支由 30 多名学生组成的团队，在活动策划、组织发展以及行政改革方面取得了显著成果，为协会的长期发展奠定了坚实基础。

从 SFU 毕业后，Ava 前往加纳北部的塔马利（Tamale），以研究与学习研究员（Research & Learning Fellow）的身份加入青年挑战国际组织（Youth Challenge International），为期三个月。在当地，她专注于政策与社会研究，同时一对一地与当地参与者合作，并主导有关高效研究方法与虚假信息识别的工作坊。返回大温地区后，她开始投身政治工作，在 2025 年联邦大选期间为一位候选人从事社区外联工作。随后，她继续在所属选区的省议员（MLA）办公室工作，协助动员社区内的其他行动者。目前，她担任所在选区协会（Electoral District Association）的妇女与性别权利委员会代表。同时，她还在 Khthon 担任研究助理，运用开源情报（OSINT）核实冲突地区有关万人坑的报告。

在即将到来的春季，Ava 将重返 SFU，攻读社会政策议题文凭课程，随后计划继续深造犯罪学硕士，研究方向聚焦于社交媒体与极端主义招募。她非常高兴能在这一过程中担任 FDT 的导师，并期待帮助学生点燃他们对辩论的热情。

David正在多伦多大学学习管理专业，专注于金融、经济学和政治学。他有超过6年的辩论竞争经验，担任裁判已有2年，教授辩论已有3年。他曾指导过从一年级到十二年级的学生。此外，他还曾是哈特豪斯辩论俱乐部的主席，并组织了包括哈特豪斯高中辩论赛在内的多项著名高中辩论赛事。在国家和国际层面，David取得了多个成就，包括耶鲁大学IV赛和北美大学辩论锦标赛的新手晋级，以及渥太华IV、Uhuru世界辩论赛、伯克利IV赛和加拿大大学辩论锦标赛的公开赛晋级。在空闲时间，David喜欢听爵士乐、玩地理猜谜游戏，并观看多伦多枫叶队再次在第一轮被淘汰的比赛。

Caitlin mah

Instructor

Caitlin Mah studies Political Science at the University of Toronto. At the high school level, she has broken and spoke in the top 10 of Canadian Senior Debate Nationals and British Parliamentary Nationals multiple times, as well as a semifinalist at Cambridge Schools. She was a finalist and in the top 20 overall speakers at the 2022 World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Champions. In university, Caitlin has broken at tournaments such as Princeton IV, Yale IV, and Ottawa IV. As a judge, she has broken multiple times at Hart House IV and the Canadian University Debating Championships. She has served on the Organizing Committees of over 12 varsity and high school tournaments.

As a published, award-winning writer, Caitlin is deeply familiar the power of language and rhetoric to shape how we see the world. Debating and public speaking are not only communicative or discursive pursuits, but ones that encourage students to think critically and empathetically about the world around them.

Ava wood

Instructor

Ava’s career in debate began in 10th grade when she joined her high school’s debate team, and after her coaches graduated, she was proud to step into the role. While she was attending Simon Fraser University for Criminology and International Studies, she was beyond grateful to be elected President of the Criminology Student Association, where she continued to build her leadership and facilitation skills, leading a team of over 30 students to success in events, growth, and administrative reforms to strengthen it for the future.

Following her graduation from SFU, she spent 3 months in Tamale, Northern Ghana as a Research & Learning Fellow with Youth Challenge International. There, she focused on policy and social research, also working 1-on-1 with local participants and leading workshops on effective research techniques and misinformation detection. Upon her return to the Lower Mainland, she began her work in politics, working in community outreach for a candidate during the 2025 Federal Election. She continued her political work in her MLA’s office, helping mobilize other activists in her community. She now sits as the Women & Gender Rights Committee representative on her Electoral District Association. She also works as a Research Assistant with Khthon, using OSINT to verify reports of mass graves in conflict zones.

This coming winter, Ava is excited to return to SFU to pursue a Diploma in Issues in Social Policy, following which she will be studying for her Master’s in Criminology, focusing on social media and extremist recruitment. She is thrilled to be working as an instructor at FDT throughout this process and looks forward to helping students ignite their passion for debate.

Negar Shaban

教师

Negar 就读于英属哥伦比亚大学（UBC），目前正修读政治学与哲学双主修，并辅修法律与社会方向，朝着法学院方向努力。她对公众演讲的热爱始于七年级，当时她赢得了地区的演讲比赛。这段经历激发了她对辩论和模拟联合国的持续兴趣，并在整个高中阶段积极参与相关活动。

 

她非常热衷于帮助学生建立自信的沟通能力，并坚信批判性思维和逻辑推理是超越辩论本身的终身技能。借助自己哲学学习的背景，她致力于帮助学生深层次地发展这些能力，使其受益终生。

 

在 FDT 之外，Negar 还在一家专注于移民与商业法律的律所担任法律行政助理。她同时也是一位积极的社区领导者，现任 UBC 政治学学生会主席，并担任其所在选区省议员顾问委员会的执行成员。

Sahasro bhowmik

Instructor

Sahasro Bhowmik is a sophomore at the University of Saskatchewan studying Political Science. He is the 2024 Senior National Debate Champion and a 2023 2-time Senior National and British Parliamentary Debate Finalist, leading him to get invited to Oxford Schools. He is also a 3-time top 8 Senior National Speaker. Apart from Nationals and BP Style, he won Doxbridge Worlds 2024, in worlds his favorite style of debate, in the Gold Division. He enjoys Nationals, British Parliamentary, and Worlds Style, having experience in all 3 for at least 6 years. He finds immense joy in teaching debate to all ages and skill levels and hopes to show the unknown and great benefits debate can provide to debaters to better allow them to critically think, see two sides of a problem, and engage in productive and constructive discourse.

Brendon huang

Instructor

Brendon Huang is a graduating student from the University of British Columbia specializing in Business Technology Management and he brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to his teaching role. With experience starting in high school debate and Model UN, Brendon has honed his skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and impromptu skills. In university, he was involved in numerous case competitions to further sharpened his analytical and problem-solving abilities, making him a well-rounded instructor capable of guiding students through various debate formats and challenges. Brendon enjoys instructing and cares deeply about fostering a friendly learning environment.

Negar shaban

Instructor

Negar is an undergraduate student on a pre-law track at the University of British Columbia, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy, with a Minor in Law and Society. Her love for public speaking began in Grade 7, when she won her regional public speaking competition. That formative experience sparked a continued interest in debate and Model United Nations, which she remained active in throughout high school. 

She is deeply passionate about helping students build confidence in their communication skills and believes that critical thinking and logical reasoning are lifelong tools that extend far beyond debate. Drawing on her background in philosophy, she supports students in developing these skills in a meaningful and lasting way.

Outside of FDT, Negar works as a legal administrative assistant at an immigration and business law firm. She is also an active community leader, serving as President of UBC’s Political Science Students’ Association and as an executive of her local MLA’s council.

Randall Bunjamin

Instructor

Randall is a Business student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a specialization in Operations & Logistics and discovered the world of competitive debating during high school. In his first year of debating, he was one of the 3 people who represented Jakarta in nationals, contending against every other Indonesian state, ultimately earning him the champion title and being the 3rd best speaker in 2021. Randall has a track record of over 30 debating awards during his 2 years of high school debating career and also mentored multiple high school students, all of whom have attained top 10 best speaker awards at nationals from 2022-2024. Currently, Randall is active as a judge, with him being part of the Core Adjudication team for UBC’s HST Fall Tournament (2023 & 2024) and judged many other notable BP competitions in Indonesia, while also still competing in the Indonesian debating circuit, embarking on a journey to rediscover new debating insights.

Randall Bunjamin

教师

Randall 是英属哥伦比亚大学（UBC）商学院的学生，专攻运营与物流。他在高中时接触到了竞技辩论的世界。辩论生涯的第一年，他作为三名代表雅加达参加全国比赛的选手之一，与印尼其他所有州的代表对决，最终赢得了冠军，并在2021年被评为全国第三佳辩手。高中两年的辩论生涯中，Randall 共获得了30多项辩论奖项，同时指导了多名高中生，这些学生在2022年至2024年的全国比赛中均跻身最佳辩手前十名。现在，Randall 活跃于裁判领域，担任 UBC HST 秋季辩论赛（2023 和 2024）的核心裁判团队成员，并参与评审了印尼许多知名的英国议会制辩论赛事。同时，他仍在印尼辩论圈中竞争，努力探索新的辩论见解，开启重新发现辩论乐趣的旅程。

Labib Akifuzzaman

教师

我是在一家气候科技初创公司工作，辩论是我过去八年来的一大热情。我曾参加并赢得过许多本地和国际辩论赛事。我曾是2020年预备亚洲替代英国议会制辩论赛（Pre-Alternative Asians British Parliamentary）的决赛选手，在Scholastica国际辩论赛中获得亚军，并进入2020年剑桥公开赛和牛津公开赛的四分之一决赛。在大学期间，我赢得了Pacific Cup和JDC WEST的冠军。我还参与了世界学校辩论训练营，这让我在全球范围内提升了辩论技巧。此外，我很荣幸担任过多个赛事的裁判核心成员，为辩论社区做出了贡献。我最自豪的成就之一是被评为“亚洲最佳新手辩手”。

Labib Akifuzzaman

Instructor

I am a 4th-year entrepreneur student working at a climate tech startup, and debating has been a passion of mine for the past 8 years. I’ve competed in and won numerous local and international tournaments. I was a finalist in the Pre-Alternative Asians British Parliamentary 2020, runners-up in the Scholastica International Debate Tournament, and a quarterfinalist in both the Cambridge Open and Oxford Open 2020. In university I won the Pacific Cup and JDC WEST I was part of the World Schools training camp, which helped refine my debating skills on a global level. Additionally, I have been honored to adj core multiple tournaments, contributing to the debating community. One of my proudest achievements is being named the Best Novice Asian Speaker.

Parker Keeley

教师

“Parker是一名法语双语学生，目前正在攻读由巴黎政治学院（Sciences Po Paris）和不列颠哥伦比亚大学（UBC）联合开设的双学位项目的第四年，主修政治学、法律和音乐。Parker在公众演讲和辩论方面做为参赛者和教练都拥有丰富的经验。 高中时期，他曾在全国范围内参加许多法语和英语的辩论比赛；进入大学后，他继续参加国际赛事，如世界大学生辩论锦标赛（WUDC）和欧洲大学生辩论锦标赛（EUDC），并在这些赛事中代表法国取得了最佳辩手等优异成绩。此外，他还参加了一些享有声望的公众演讲比赛，并在2023年荣获“理查德·德斯科因奖”（Prix Richard Descoigns）。

Parker拥有超过6年的辩论和公众演讲教学经验，教授年龄在10至19岁之间的学生，水平从中级到精英不等。他能够根据不同的学习目标调整教学方式，并致力于帮助学生在各类目标中取得成功。”

Parker Keeley

Instructor

Parker is a French bilingual student currently in his fourth year of a dual degree program between Sciences Po Paris and UBC, studying Political Science, Law and Music. Parker has extensive experience in both public speaking and debate as both a coach and competitor. After competing in many tournaments nationally in high school in both French and English, Parker has continued to compete internationally as a university student, attending tournaments such as WUDC and EUDC where he was the top ranked speaker representing France, among others. He also has competed in prestigious public speaking tournaments, notably winning the 2023 Prix Richard Descoigns. Parker has over 6 years of debate and public speaking coaching experience, having taught students from ages 10-19 from intermediate to elite levels. Adaptable to all learning goals, he is passionate about helping students achieve success in all forms.

Vedant Srinivasan

Instructor

Vedant Srinivasan is a sophomore at Georgetown University in The Walsh School of Foreign Service concentrating in Science, Technology and International affairs. Vedant has competed in Speech and Debate in various styles including British Parliamentary, CNDF and World Schools. He is a 2-time quarterfinalist at the Canadian British Parliamentary Championships, attended Oxford Schools and in Grade-11, Vedant placed 2nd at both the Canadian and World Individual Public Speaking and Debating Championships. As a coach, Vedant led his school’s speech and debate program, helping to teach students in grades 7-12. His goal is to help students hone their reflective processes, giving them the confidence to speak in public and thoughtfully question the world around them.

Leo Zhu

教师

Leo 是不列颠哥伦比亚大学的理科学生。他是2023/24加拿大国家辩论队的成员，并作为五名正式成员之一，代表加拿大参加在塞尔维亚贝尔格莱德举行的2024年世界学校辩论锦标赛。除了被选入Team Canada之外，Leo 的一些辩论生涯亮点包括：在2022 年和冬季假期公开赛中获得最佳辩手，2023 年打入此比赛总决赛；他获得加拿大大学高中全国辩论赛冠军和亚军辩手、以及西部大学冬季高中赛的冠军和最佳辩手。 Leo打辩论比赛超过4 年，并担任Burnaby North辩论协会主席 2 年。他很高兴能在 FDT 与学生分享自己的辩论热情。

Hannah Choi

教师

Hannah 是不列颠哥伦比亚大学（UBC）的一名学生，主修政治学与古典学双专业。她多年活跃于竞技辩论领域，既是参赛辩手，也是教练，目前担任 UBC 辩论社对外副主席（Vice-President External）。在高中高年级时，她曾带领一支新成立的校队并担任队长，帮助该队首次夺得冠军。

在她的辩论生涯中，Hannah 取得了多项重要成就，包括：在加拿大大学全国辩论赛（Canadian University Nationals）公开组打入四分之一决赛；将代表 UBC 参加于 2026 年在保加利亚索非亚举行的世界大学辩论锦标赛（World Universities Debate Championships）；多次获得赛事冠军；在 2024 年的斯坦福世界赛（Stanford Worlds）和西部世界赛（Western Worlds）等国际赛事中晋级；成为 2024 年 UBC 世界赛的最佳发言者；并击败过多支国家级代表队。

Hannah 曾指导从小学到高中的学生，涵盖英式议会制辩论（BP）、加拿大国家辩论赛制（CNDF）、世界学校辩论（WSDC）以及交叉质询辩论（Cross-Examination）。她非常期待与学生分享自己对辩论的热爱——辩论不仅提供丰富的个人与智识成长机会，也能培养深度思考与表达能力。她希望学生们能够通过高质量的公共讨论，成长为积极参与世界事务的全球公民。

Kennedy Kopke

教师

Kennedy在UBC Sauder 商学院攻读商业学士学位。她拥有超过 5 年的辩论竞赛经验，多次获得 BP 式辩论和 CNDF 式辩论的地区级和省级冠军。在参加高中辩论期间，她参加了许多竞争激烈的比赛，在剑桥学校锦标赛中打入总决赛，以及参加BP国家级比赛。此外，Kennedy指导她的高中辩论队在国内和国际上取得了多项成功。Kennedy喜欢帮助年轻学生找到她在 FDT 第一次在学院学习辩论时所发现的辩论热情。她希望帮助所有年轻学子找到自己的声音，通过辩论技巧获得成功。

kennedy Kopke

Instructor

Kennedy is a student at UBC Sauder School of Business pursuing a bachelors degree in Commerce. She has over 5 years of experience in competitive debate, including multiple regional and provincial championships in BP style debate as well as CNDF style. Throughout her time participating in high school debate she attended many highly competitive tournaments, including breaking 4th at the Cambridge Schools Tournament and reaching the grand final and BP nationals. Further, Kennedy coached her high school debate team to multiple other national and international successes. Kennedy enjoys helping young students find the the same passion for debate that she found at FDT when she first learned to debate at the academy. She hopes to help all young students find their own voice, and achieve success through the skills of debating.

Leo Zhu

Instructor

Leo is a Science student at the University of British Columbia. He is a member of the 2023/24 Canadian National Debate Team, and was selected as one of the five debaters to represent Canada at the 2024 World Schools Debating Championship in Belgrade, Serbia. Aside from Team Canada, some of Leo’s debate highlights include: Top Speaker and Grand Finalist  at Winter Holidays Open in 2022 and 2023 respectively, Champion and 2nd Best Speaker at Canadian Universities High School Nationals, and Champion and Top Speaker at Western University Winter High School Tournament. Leo has been debating competitively for 4 years, and was the president of the Burnaby North Debate Society for 2. He greatly enjoys sharing his passion for debate with others, and is excited to do so at FDT.

Hannah choi

Instructor

Hannah is a student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a double major in Political Science and Classics. She has been involved in the competitive debate circuit as both a participant and a coach for several years, currently serving as Vice-President External of the UBC Debate Society and captaining her nascent high school team to its first ever championship title in her senior year. Some achievements throughout her debate career include breaking Open Quarters at Canadian University Nationals; representing UBC in the upcoming 2026 World Universities Debate Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria; championing several tournaments; breaking at international tournaments such as Stanford Worlds and Western Worlds in 2024; top-speaking UBC Worlds 2024; and defeating multiple national teams. Hannah has coached students from the elementary to the high school level in British Parliamentary, Canadian National Debate Format, Worlds Schools, and Cross-Examination. She is thrilled to share her love of debate, with its myriad opportunities for personal and intellectual growth, with her students and hopes that they are able to become engaged global citizens through high-quality discourse. 

Jade hua

教师

Jade就读于UBC大学，攻读金融商业学士学位。 Jade 在过去四年里一直从事辩论工作，并代表越南国家队参加世界学校辩论锦标赛，并于 2023 年成为 WSDC 八强选手。Jade活跃在越南的辩论界，她花费大量时间参加高中辩论比赛，做辩论赛裁判，指导学生辩论和组织辩论比赛。在参与辩论社群期间，她发现了自己对培养批判性思维技能的热情，并希望激发年轻学生的学习好奇心。Jade希望她的学生在不断学习辩论技能的同时，也能找到对辩论的热爱。

Jade Hua

Instructor

Jade is a student at the University of British Columbia completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree focusing on Finance. Jade has been debating for the past four years as well as competing in the World School Debating Championship for Team Vietnam, becoming WSDC Octofinalist in 2023. She has spent much of her time in High School competing, judging, coaching students, and organizing tournaments in the Vietnamese debate circuit. During her time involved in the debate community, she found passion in developing critical thinking skills and hoped to inspire curiosity to learn in young students. She hopes that her students will find this same passion as they continue to develop their debating skills.

Aashton Prasad

办公室助理

Aashton就读于UBC大学，研究人类学和社会正义。在处理FDT的日常前台工作时，他希望为学生营造一个高效且包容的学习环境。除了工作场所之外，他还重视社区建设和联系。他此前曾被任命为 UBC 辩论协会的公正管理者，目前担任 UBC 人类学和斐济学生协会的内务副主席。Aashton喜欢在闲暇时聆听 R&B 音乐、摄影，以及与家人和朋友一起徒步旅行或小径漫步来探索大自然。

Emily rees

办公室助理

Emily 就读于UBC大学，主修神经生物学、遗传学和公共卫生。在帮助促进FDT良好运作的同时，她希望营造一个积极和支持性的学习环境。她在大温哥华地区为各种事业做志愿者时，对妇女权利和健康有着浓厚的兴趣。

Emily rees

教师

Emily 就读于UBC大学，主修神经生物学、遗传学和公共卫生。Emily 在过去五年里一直在打辩论，并在高中期间参加模拟联合国会议，在加州大学伯克利分校的 BMUN 和麦吉尔大学的 SSUNS 等会议中获得了最佳代表和最佳代表团奖。她在高中花了很多时间指导高中生参加各种辩论和模拟联合国锦标赛。在参与辩论社群期间，她发现了自己对公开演讲和辩论的热情。她希望她的学生在继续发展辩论技能的同时也能找到同样的热情。

EMILY REES

office assistant

Emily is a student at the University of British Columbia completing an undergraduate degree focusing on Neurobiology, Genetics, and Public Health. While helping to facilitate the operations of FDT, she hopes to foster a positive and supportive learning environment. When volunteering for various causes in the Greater Vancouver Area with a strong interest in Women’s rights and health.

Aashton Prasad

office assistant

Aashton is an undergraduate at the University of British Columbia studying anthropology and social justice. In handling the daily logistics at FDT, he hopes to promote an effective and inclusive learning environment for students. Beyond the workplace, he values community building and connections. He previously served as an Equity Officer for UBC’s Debate Society and is currently the President of UBC’s Anthropology Students Association and the Vice-President of Internal Affairs for UBC’s Fijian Students Association. Aashton enjoys spending his leisure time listening to R&B music, doing digital photography, and exploring nature through hikes or trail walks with family and friends.

Emily Rees

Instructor

Emily is a student at the University of British Columbia completing an undergraduate degree focusing on Neurobiology, Genetics, and Public Health. Emily has been debating for the past five years as well as competing in Model UN conferences during high school. In Model UN she participated in various conferences placing Best Delegate and Best Delegation awards in conferences such as, BMUN at UC Berkeley and SSUNS at McGill University. She has spent much of her time in High School coaching high school students for various debate and Model UN Tournaments. During her time involved in the debate community she found passion in public speaking and debate. She hopes that her students will find this same passion as they continue to develop their debating skills.

Reid Marcus

辩论主管

Reid有14年教授CNDF 加拿大式辩论和 BP英国议会制辩论以及公共论坛美式辩论的经验。在大学时，他作为辩手代表 UBC 参加 了2011 年和 2015 年的世界辩论锦标赛。Reid 拥有剑桥大学科学史硕士学位和 UBC 学士学位。他对辩论教育充满热情，并鼓励学生探索课堂中辩论话题背后的历史。

Reid Marcus

Head of debate

Reid has coached debate for 14 years in both parliamentary styles like CNDF & BP and American styles like Public Forum. As a competitive debater in university he represented UBC at the World Championships in 2011 and 2015. Reid has an MPhil in History of Science from the University of Cambridge and a BA from UBC. He is passionate about debate education and encourages his students to explore the history behind the topics they debate in class. 

Arta negahban

办公室助理

Arta 很高兴能够作为办公室助理加入 FDT 大家庭！除了协助学院的日常运营外，她将随时为学生、家长和工作人员提供帮助，来创造一个温暖而温馨的环境，激励年轻演讲者发出自己的声音。除了在 FDT 工作之外，Arta 目前还是一名在职女演员，刚刚结束了将于 2024 年首映的 Hulu 系列剧。在空闲时间，她在电影工作室做志愿者，在舞蹈工作室上课，在温哥华寻找新的思想，和朋友们一起歌唱。

Arta Negahban

office assistant

Arta is thrilled to be joining the FDT family as an Office Assistant! While helping with the operations of the academy during opening hours, she is always ready to assist students, parents and staff, creating a warm and welcoming environment to motivate young speakers to find their voice. Apart from her time working at FDT, Arta is currently a working actress freshly wrapped from a Hulu series set to premiere in 2024. In her free time she finds herself volunteering at the film studio, taking classes at the dance studio, finding new viewpoints in Vancouver, and singing her heart out with friends.

Cheryl wu

教师

Cheryl 是一位充满热情的辩论讲师，正在 UBC 攻读历史和经济学荣誉学士学位。作为 UBC 辩论协会的成员，Cheryl曾参加过许多加拿大和国际辩论赛。她曾入围 2023 年太平洋杯和 2023 年 USCIV 决赛，最近在 2023 年北美大学辩论锦标赛中担任裁判。凭借自己的辩论经验，她在2022年成为 TEDxUBC 的演讲编辑和媒体协调员。Cheryl 利用自己在辩论方面的教学经验，帮助演讲者发表卓越的 TED 演讲，并在拥有超过 3600 万订阅者的 TED YouTube 官方频道上展示。此外，作为有着6年经验的前营地辅导员和教师，Cheryl 喜欢与各个年龄段的学生分享她对辩论、公开演讲、社会正义、学术写作的热情。在来到 UBC 之前，Cheryl 曾担任香港中小学生的 BP英国议会制辩论教练。 Cheryl 以 43/45 的 IB 总成绩以第一名的成绩从中学毕业，并获得多伦多大学三一学院的全年奖学金。之后，她担任私人辩论教练，辅导英国文学、中国语言和文学等 IB 科目，知识论和扩展论文。Cheryl 以目标为导向的方法帮助她辅导的许多学生在学习中取得了高分，并提高了他们对公开演讲和辩论的信心。

Sarah sahagian

教师

Sarah Sahagian是一位颇有成就的学者，她在伦敦经济学院完成了性别研究硕士学位，并获得了伦敦经济学院Merit奖学金，这是该校颁发的最负盛名的学术奖学金。

高中时，Sarah 在国际独立学校公开演讲锦标赛中赢得了即兴演讲组的冠军。她还曾三度参加世界个人公开演讲和辩论锦标赛，并于 2004 年获得总成绩第二名。

Sarah拥有丰富的辩论和公共演讲教学经验，她在Kingston的女王辩论联盟和安大略省的Branksome Hall以及英国伦敦的Debate Mate Program都担任过教练。Sarah的学生获得了许多享有优异的成绩，例如赢得安省辩论锦标赛、获得 Fuflord 辩论联盟冠军以及在著名的全国辩论和公开演讲锦标赛中跻身前十名。 Sarah 指导过 8 名学生，他们有资格代表加拿大参加世界个人公开演讲和辩论锦标赛，其中 3 名学生进入前 15 名演讲者之列。Sarah 2018 年担任澳大利亚世界演讲锦标赛的评委，并且是诠释阅读类别总决赛的评委，她作为演讲教练的实力得到了认可。她的多名学生代表加拿大参加世界学校辩论锦标赛，这只有加拿大最顶级的辩手才能做到。

2017 年，Sarah 成为加拿大演讲和辩论基金会的创始执行董事，该基金会将辩论俱乐部引入全国各地的公立学校。她在 S & DC 担任了五年的 ED 职位，然后辞职去探索新项目。

Sarah对私校和顶级大学的申请有着丰富的指导经验。她已经帮助多名学生进入了他们梦想的高中私学校和美国顶尖大学。她喜欢帮助家庭为孩子找到最好的环境，并制定计划以最大限度地提高孩子申请成功的几率。

作为一名作家，Sarah的署名曾出现在《华盛顿邮报》、《多伦多星报》、《国家邮报》、《Elle Canada》和《赫芬顿邮报》等媒体上。

Sarah sahagian

Speech Instructor

An accomplished academic, Sarah Sahagian holds a master’s degree in Gender Studies from The London School of Economics, where she was the recipient of the LSE Merit Scholarship, the most prestigious academic scholarship awarded to the school’s incoming graduate students. 

While in high school, Sarah won the Impromptu Speaking Category at the International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Championship. She also competed at the World Individual Public Speaking and Debate Championship three times, placing second overall in 2004.

Sarah’s work teaching debating and public speaking began when she volunteered through the Queen’s Debating Union’s outreach program, which provided debate training to local Kingston, Ontario Students. Sarah has also coached public speaking and debating at Branksome Hall in downtown Toronto and through the Debate Mate Program in London, England. 

Students coached by Sarah have received such prestigious honours as winning the Ontario Provincial Debating Championship, taking home Fuflord Debate League titles, and placing in the top ten overall speakers at prestigious national debate and public speaking tournaments. Sarah has coached eight students who qualified to represent Canada at the World Individual Public Speaking and Debating Championship, three of whom placed in the top 15 speakers. Other students of hers have won the Toronto Regional Debating Championships, placed in the top three at the English Speakers’ Union Competition, and came first in the bilingual debating category at Ontario’s Provincial Debating Championship.

Over the course of her career, Sarah is delighted to say she has coached multiple students who qualified to represent Canada at the World Schools Debating Championship, a distinction that goes only to the country’s most brilliant debaters.  

Another passion of Sarah’s is preparatory school and university admissions counseling. She became fascinated by the world of independent school and elite university admissions when she worked as a journalist researching those subjects. Sarah is now proud to say she has helped several students gain admission to their dream high school preparatory schools and top US colleges. She loves helping families identify the best possible environment for their children and creating a plan to maximize the odds of acceptance.   

As a writer, Sarah’s byline has appeared in such outlets as The Washington Post, The Toronto Star, The National Post, Elle Canada, and The Huffington Post.

Cheryl wu

Instructor

Cheryl is a passionate debate instructor pursuing a B.A in Honours History and Economics at UBC. As a member of the UBC Debate Society, Cheryl has competed in both national and international university level tournaments. Some highlights include placing as a finalist at Pacific Cup 2023 and USCIV 2023, as well as her most recent role as a breaking judge in the North American University Debating Championships 2023. Her experience in debate has also lead her to her position as a speech editor and media coordinator for TEDxUBC in 2022. She was able to use her experience in coaching debate to help speakers deliver eloquent TED Talks displayed on the official TED YouTube channel with over 36 million subscribers. Additionally, as a former camp counsellor and teacher of 6 years, Cheryl loves sharing her passion for debate, public speaking, social justice, academic writing with students of all ages. Prior to coming to UBC, Cheryl worked as a BP debate coach for both primary and secondary school students in Hong Kong. After graduating at the top of her secondary class with an overall IB grade of 43/45 and a full year scholarship to University of Toronto Trinity College, Cheryl worked as a private debate coach and tutored IB subjects such as English Literature, Chinese Language and Literature, Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. Cheryl’s goal-oriented approach has helped many of the students she tutored achieve top scores in their studies as well as improve their confidence in public speaking and debate.

Victoria Moldovan

教师

Victoria 正在不列颠哥伦比亚大学攻读政治学文学学士学位。 7 年来，她一直在参加辩论和公共演讲，并参加过加拿大国家级比赛和国际比赛。两年多来，她一直在 FDT 和她所在的高中指导学生进行辩论和公共演讲。这段经历使她在 2022 年 BC 省模拟审判锦标赛中获得第一名。她还在 2021 年加拿大国际公共演讲比赛中获得第三名，并在 2022 年哈佛世界学校辩论邀请赛中排名前 5%。Victoria 热衷于与新辩手分享她所学到的知识，并帮助学生找到自己对辩论和公共演讲的热情。

Victoria Moldovan

Instructor

Victoria is completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at the University of British Columbia. She has been debating and public speaking competitively for over 7 years, and has competed at the national level within Canada, as well as in international tournaments. She has been coaching students in debate and public speaking for over 2 years, at FDT and within her high school. This experience has led her to place 1st in the 2022 BC provincial mock trial championship. She also placed 3rd in the 2021 Canadian International Public Speaking Competition as well as in the top 5% of speakers at the 2022 Harvard World Schools Debate Invitationals. Victoria is passionate about sharing what she has learned with new debaters and helping students find their passion for debate and public speaking.

Simran Cheema

演讲主管

Simran Cheema 毕业于 UBC Sauder 商学院，她是该校 12 名双专攻金融和市场营销的学生之一，她拥有独特的创造性和技术性的说服技巧。作为加拿大公共演讲和辩论国家队的前成员，Simran 在 9 年的辩论生涯中完善了她的辩论技能。她在 Crofton House School 开始了她的辩论之旅，在那里她也有幸担任Head Girl，面对超过2500 名观众发言。在整个高中期间，她走遍了全国和世界各地，代表BC省和加拿大参加了数十场国内和国际比赛，稳居顶级辩手和顶级团队。在大学时，Simran 在 UBC 商业传播公共演讲锦标赛中名列第一，并在 JDC West Debate 在加拿大西部团队中名列第三。 Simran 拥有超过 7 年的 FDT 教学经验和 6 年的比赛经验。她是一位充满激情且久经考验的教练，她非常关心学生的学习，并帮助他们取得成功。

Simran cheema

Head of public speaking

Simran Cheema is a graduate of the UBC Sauder School of Business, where she was one of twelve to ever double specialize in both Finance & Marketing, shedding light on her uniquely creative yet technical approach to persuasion. As an alumn of the Canadian National Team for Public Speaking & Debate, Simran has perfected her persuasive skills over a 9 year career in debate. She started her debate journey at Crofton House School where she also had the honour of serving as Head Girl, presenting to audiences larger than 2,500. Throughout high school, she travelled around the country and world, representing BC and Canada at dozens of national and international competitions, consistently securing top speaker and team placements. At the University level, Simran placed 1st overall at the UBC Business Communications Public Speaking Championship, and 3rd overall team in Western Canada through JDC West Debate. With over 7 years of coaching experience at FDT and 6 years of total competition experience, Simran is a passionate and proven instructor who cares deeply about her students’ learning and subsequent success.

Nicole Yu

办公室助理

Nicole 是 UBC 心理学专业的本科生。除了协助FDT的日常运作外，她还喜欢与学生、员工和客户互动。她为学院创造活跃的氛围，希望学生能在积极的环境中学习。在空闲时间，她会在道场训练或进行户外活动。

Nicole yu

office assistant

Nicole is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology at UBC. Aside from assisting the daily operation at FDT, she enjoys interacting with students, staff and the customers to create the lively atmosphere in the academy, hoping students can learn under a positive environment. She spends her free time in the dojo or doing outdoor activities.

JEN TARUNO

主讲教练

Jen 是不列颠哥伦比亚大学的理科学生。他擅长辩论，从高中到现在Jen 一直活跃在辩论界。 Jen 拥有 50 多个辩论和评审奖项的记录，包括在 2021 年进入第四届杜伦-牛津-剑桥 ESL 决赛。同年，他被选为代表印度尼西亚国家辩论队参加世界学校辩论锦标赛 (WSDC) ，并在 2022 年作为教练带领队伍进入八强。 Jen 对辩论的热情延伸到他的教学中，他还撰写辩论文章以改进学生用于批判性思维的框架。

Jen taruno

lead Instructor

Jen is a Science student at the University of British Columbia. He specializes in debating, which he started doing in high school. Jen has a track record of over 50 debating and judging awards, including reaching the ESL Finals of the 4th Durham-Oxford-Cambridge in 2021. In the same year, he was selected to represent Team Indonesia at the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC), and in 2022 he coached the team to the Octofinals. Jen’s passion for debate extends to his teaching, and he also writes debate articles to improve the frameworks students use for critical thinking.

negar shaban

办公室助理

Negar 目前是UBC大学的本科生，攻读政治学学士学位。在管理 FDT 的日常运作时，她希望营造一个支持性的学习环境，让年轻的演讲者和辩手可以自信地表达自己的观点。在 FDT 工作之余，她对政治和社区福利工作充满热情：她为当地议员拉票、在非营利组织和环境组织做志愿者，以及运营当地的联合国儿童基金会俱乐部。她的爱好包括烹饪、诗歌朗诵以及与朋友和家人共度美好时光。 Negar 很高兴成为 FDT 大家庭的一员！

negar shaban

office assistant

Negar is currently an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a Bachelor of Political Science. In managing the daily operations of FDT, she hopes to foster a supportive learning environment where young speakers can voice their opinions with confidence. Outside her time working at FDT, she pursues her passions for politics and community welfare through canvassing for local MPs, volunteering at non-profit and environmental organizations, and running her local UNICEF club. Her hobbies include cooking, performing slam poetry, and spending quality time with friends and family. Negar is thrilled to be a part of the FDT family!

Vishwa Srinivasan

教师

Vishwa 就读于麦吉尔大学，攻读经济学荣誉学位。 Vishwa 在中学开始参加辩论和公共演讲比赛，并在高中参加了多项国际比赛。他的一些成就包括获得 2021 年全国公共演讲总冠军，两次入围世界个人辩论和公共演讲比赛的决赛，以及进入英国全国议会辩论锦标赛的半决赛。作为一名教练，Vishwa 的学生入围了世界独立辩论和公开演讲锦标赛的决赛，并获得了参加国际Optimist 演讲比赛的资格。 Vishwa 教授辩论和公开演讲，还精通法语。

Vishwa Srinivasan

Speech Instructor

Vishwa is a student at McGill University pursuing an Honours Degree in Economics. Vishwa started competitive debate and public speaking in middle school and competed in several international competitions in high school. Some of his highlights include being the 2021 National Public Speaking Grand Champion, a two time grand finalist at the World Individual Debate and Public Speaking Competition, and a semi finalist at the National British Parliamentary Debate Championship. As a teacher, Vishwa’s students have placed as finalists in the World Independent Debating and Public Speaking Championships and qualified for the International Optimist Oratorical Competition. Vishwa teaches debating and public speaking and is also fluent in French.

vivienne lin

office assistant

Vivienne is a second-year student studying Visual Arts and Business Management at the University of British Columbia. Besides being responsible for facilitating the day-to-day processes at FDT, she enjoys creating personal connections with students, clients, and other staff, to promote a family-like community and positive learning environment within the academy. She also spends a lot of her time volunteering at various organizations, with a strong interest towards environmental related causes. In her downtime, Vivienne likes spending time with friends and family, taking care of her pet chickens, trying new recipes, and being out in nature.

emma-jane burns

教师

Emma-Jane 正在加州大学伯克利分校攻读数据科学和经济学双学位。 Emma-Jane 有超过五年的辩论经验，参加过地区、省级和全国级比赛。值得注意的是，在通过地区和省级比赛晋级之后，她打入了加拿大国家赛的四分之一决赛。Emma-Jane 在过去三年中一直担任辩论教练。 她致力于帮助学生通过努力练习取得成功，并发挥他们的潜力。

mAJA GRANDINETTI

教师

Maja Grandinetti是目前是英属哥伦比亚大学的法语双语法律系学生。Maja从高中开始教授辩论，至今已经有8年。在Maja的指导下，她的队伍连续三年获得了该地区的冠军，她的私教学生在国家和国际比赛中也取得了优异的成绩。她有丰富的教学经验，能够指导6-17岁、各种水平的学生。作为一名辩手，Maja已经有10年的辩论经验，并在高中时打入国家级赛事。在大学期间，Maja参加了多项辩论比赛，包括牛津和剑桥辩论赛，并进入了Diefenbaker杯和太平洋杯的决赛。除了辩论，Maja还喜欢并教授公众演讲、模拟联合国以及世界学者杯。

Ruby Grinberg

教师

Ruby是英属哥伦比亚大学Sauder商学院的工商管理硕士，并且以三年时间获得了政治学学士学位。鲁Ruby在高中时开始参加辩论和公众演讲，并在她的首次比赛——安大略省青少年全国公众演讲预选赛中获得第一名。从那以后，她不断练习和学习，参加了省级、全国和全球的比赛。通过坚定不移的努力，她在2021年由韩国线上举办的世界独立辩论与公众演讲锦标赛中获得了世界第一名。Ruby拥有超过七年的教练经验，她的学生曾获得国际独立学校公众演讲比赛的冠军、打入世界个人公众演讲锦标赛的决赛。同时，她也教授无数刚进入公众演讲和辩论领域的初学者。Ruby热衷于与她的学生分享她对公众演讲和辩论的热情！

Emma-Jane Burns

Instructor

Emma-Jane is completing a double major in Data Science and Economics at the University of California Berkeley. Emma-Jane has been involved in debate for five years, competing regionally, provincially, and nationally. Notably, after advancing through regionals and provincials, she placed as a quarter-finalist at Canadian Nationals. In addition, Emma-Jane has coached debate for the past three years. Emma-Jane seeks to help students achieve success and their potential through hard work.

Maja Grandinetti

Instructor

Maja Grandinetti is a French bilingual Law student at the University of British Columbia. Maja has coached debate for 8 years starting in high school. Under Maja’s guidance, her team took home the award for Top School in the region three years in a row, and her private students have excelled to reach national and international accomplishments. She has experience coaching students aged 6-17 at all ability levels. Competitively, Maja has been debating for 10 years reaching the National level in high school. In university, Maja has debated at multiple tournaments including Oxford and Cambridge, and broken to finals at Diefenbaker Cup and Pacific Cup. On top of debate, Maja enjoys and coaches Public Speaking, Model United Nations, and World Scholars Cup.

Ruby Grinberg

Instructor

Ruby is a Master of Business Management student at the University of British Columbia — Sauder School of Business, where she also recently graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in just three years. Ruby started debating and public speaking in high school, where she placed 1st in Ontario at the Junior National Public Speaking Qualifiers – her first ever tournament. From there, she continued to practice and learn, competing in tournaments provincially, nationally and globally; and through determination and persistence, she placed 1st in the world at the World Independent Debate and Public Speaking Championships hosted virtually by South Korea in 2021. With over seven years of coaching experience, Ruby has coached the 1st place champion of the International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Competition, speakers who have broke to finals at the World Individual Public Speaking Championships, as well as beginners to the public speaking and debate community. Ruby loves to share her passion for both public speaking and debate with her students, and is always in the mood to hear a good joke!

Noah Macdonald

教练主管

Noah 目前正在英属哥伦比亚大学的 Allard 法学院就读。他拥有 UBC 哲学硕士学位和哲学荣誉学士学位。他从高中开始辩论，并在加拿大全国赛中获得最佳演讲者称号。在大学期间，他继续参赛，赢得了9个校际辩论锦标赛的冠军和18个演讲奖项（其中包括两个全国锦标赛奖项），之后他专注于教练工作。拥有八年教练经验的 Noah 指导学生取得了显著成就；他的学生在许多著名比赛中赢得了金牌，包括加拿大初级和高级 CNDF 全国赛、BP 全国赛、美国全国赛、牛津决赛日、斯坦福世界学校邀请赛和世界学校辩论锦标赛（WSDC）。

他的教练经验包括担任 UBC 辩论社的培训总监和丹麦国家辩论队的主教练。他的11名学生成功入选加拿大国家队，更多的学生凭借辩论荣誉在竞争激烈的大学申请中取得了优异成绩。

Noah 专长于帮助学生学习论证和分析技巧，并在 UBC 教学与学习技术中心接受了正式的教学法培训。但最重要的是，他希望与学生分享他对辩论和论证的无限热情。

Behbod Negahban

教学主管

Behbod 畢業於耶魯學院，獲得政治學學士學位，並在過去十多年中指導過最高水平的辯論選手，其中許多學生都曾躋身世界中學辯論錦標賽的前十名辯手。作為前加拿大國家辯論隊成員，他曾在 2014 年泛美辯論錦標賽與 2012 年 EurOpen 辯論錦標賽中奪冠，並於 2014 年世界中學辯論錦標賽打入四強。辯論之外，Behbod 亦具備學術研究、新聞傳媒及政府事務方面的經驗，包括在華盛頓特區的工作經歷。目前，他正在麥吉爾大學攻讀歷史碩士學位。

Chelli Shapiro

演讲总监

Chelli 是麦吉尔大学的政治学硕士，主攻加拿大政治，并辅修比较政治领域。她在公共演讲、辩论和模拟联合国等方面都拥有近十年的丰富经验，是一名经验丰富的竞赛者。2018年，她在加拿大国家辩论队选拔赛中获得阿尔伯塔省代表的第一名，并因其对辩论的热情于2019年荣获Janet Garten奖。2016年，她是加拿大演讲队的第一替补。Chelli 的教练亮点包括指导加拿大公共演讲冠军获得胜利，并指导学生在世界公共演讲比赛中取得优异成绩。她很高兴在 FDT 执教六年，将她对创意和自信培养的热情带给更多学员。

Tonya Cena

学院经理

托尼娅（Tonya）在过去十年中一直负责管理FDT学院，是团队中不可或缺的一员。她是所有学生和家长咨询、比赛准备流程等事务的首要联络人。托尼娅曾带领辩手们前往世界各地参加比赛，足迹遍及风景如画的城市，如开普敦和曼谷。她非常期待FDT接下来会带她前往哪些新的精彩旅程！

Cathy Cena

招生主管

Cathy拥有超过30年的销售和市场营销从业经历，她为FDT带来了宝贵的销售和商业经验财富。她热衷于为家长和学生倾囊相授FDT的经验，并相信学生可以通过演讲丰富自己的生活。无论是小学还是大学大学，辩论和演讲作为一项人生技能，将影响学生生活的方方面面。在与学生家长交流之余，Cathy也致力于为FDT开展各种活动。Cathy是一个热心的志愿者，也是Optimist演讲俱乐部的主席，前艺术中心的主席，她最近还完成了一本书的写作。请随时通过邮件向她了解更多关于FDT学院的信息！

Ghazal Habib

运营主管

Ghazal是FDT的运营主管，拥有政策与管理硕士学位，同时具备国际发展和社会商业背景。Ghazal花了五年时间在东非和南太平洋地区制定和实施国际教育方案。加上她在程序和系统开发方面的背景，Ghazal为FDT团队带来了与时俱进的经验和视角。她的职责非常多样，主要专注于FDT程序的标准化和公司的发展等方面。

Luna Wang

招生助理

Luna拥有多伦多大学教育硕士学位。她过去曾担任 ESL 讲师、教学设计和学生协调等工作。Luna工作的核心价值观包括同情心、成长和合作。她对教育有着真正的热情，对与不同文化背景的人交流、服务和教育有着浓厚的兴趣。作为 FDT 的招生副总监，Luna 希望与家庭和学生建立并保持互相信赖的关系。

Arsalan Ghaemi

辩论总监

Arsalan 在参与和教授辩论上拥有十多年的经验。作为 FDT 的辩论总监，他在学生中建立了良好的声誉，他的许多学生在地区、省级和国际比赛中获胜。Arsalan 是加拿大国家辩论队的教练，也是温哥华St. George学校的辩论主教练，毕业于英属哥伦比亚大学，拥有政治科学荣誉学位。Arsalan非常高兴能继续教授 FDT 学生，帮助他们找到自己的声音。

Frankie Cena

创始人

Frankie的辩论教练生涯始于他曾就读的高中 Burnaby Mountain Secondary, 在那里，他指导了一批辩手，巩固了该学校作为辩论界非常有竞争力的学校的声誉。

2011年，Frankie开始被任命为Crofton House学校的演讲和辩论总教练，培养出无数名赢得区级，省级，国家级甚至国际辩论赛的学生。他执教生涯的一大亮点是他带领9名最优秀的学生前往捷克参赛，且不负众望进入了决赛。 Frankie的学生赢得了德国EurOpen锦标赛、温哥华地区辩论赛、省法律基金会杯、欧洲之心锦标赛、UBC辩论赛、剑桥大学国际⻘年辩论赛等众多赛事奖项。

当丹⻨教育局选派Frankie担任丹⻨国家辩论队教练时，Frankie 的个人目标之一得以实现。短短几年时间，丹⻨国家辩论队成⻓为世界上最具竞争力的队伍之一。

2016 年，Frankie创办了FDT学院，这是他所有教学经验的真正结晶。他希望这所学院不仅能继续取得成功，还能让他的学生拥有他所珍视的对辩论和演讲的热情。 Frankie还作为发言人，表演者，电视主持人活跃在舞台上。

Dena Tabyanian

教育总监

我們的教學總監擁有十三年的教練經驗。她在高中時期曾以辯手身份入選加拿大國家隊，這是中學生所能達到的最高辯論層級。她曾在 Crofton House School 執教七年，並擔任丹麥國家隊教練五年。她於英國取得教育碩士學位，在過去九年間專注培訓競技型學生，其中許多人最終入選了加拿大國家演講與辯論隊。她負責學院的教學與學習工作，僅教授最高級別的課程，並僅接受少量私人學生。

Moira O'Donoghue

教师

Moira正在多伦多大学攻读商学学位，并辅修人文地理学和城市研究。她拥有超过8年的辩论和公众演讲经验，并且曾指导过从4岁到大学的学生，涵盖从初学者到参加国际比赛的辩手。她目前在多伦多的约克大学教授辩论和公众演讲课程。她曾担任过多次高中和大学辩论比赛的评委，并参与过多项比赛的组织委员会工作，包括计分和裁判，这帮助她更好地指导学生在比赛中取得成功。Moira曾在法语和英语辩论中参加全国级别的比赛，并继续活跃在大学辩论圈中。她精通加拿大高中和大学使用的所有辩论形式及最常见的国际辩论形式，包括加拿大全国辩论格式、英式议会制、世界辩论赛、交叉质询以及加拿大议会制辩论。Moira热衷于帮助学生通过辩论找到自己的声音，鼓励他们走出舒适区，发挥出他们的最大潜力。

Nicholas Rees

教师

Nicholas 是不列颠哥伦比亚大学物理和数学专业的学生。在过去的七年里，他一直在辩论，高中期间四次参加加拿大国家辩论赛，并在模拟联合国中取得了成功。 Nicholas 依旧活跃在大学辩论界，并在大型比赛中打入决赛，例如 Western IV 和 Hart House IV。Nicholas 还负责为 UBC 主办高中辩论赛。在 FDT 期间，Nicholas 看到他的学生取得了一些卓越的成就，他的一些学生在 2023 年晋级了加拿大国家辩论队。Nicholas 认为人们在享受辩论时最能提高辩论能力，他希望能帮助所有FDT 的学生发现对辩论的热情。

Vivienne Lin

办公室助理

Vivienne 是UBC大学视觉艺术和商业管理专业的二年级学生。除了负责完成 FDT 的日常工作外，她还喜欢与学生、客户和其他员工建立联系，以促进学院内的家庭式社区和积极的学习环境。她还花大量的时间在各种组织做志愿者，对与环境相关的事业有着浓厚的兴趣。在Vivienne 空闲时，她喜欢与朋友和家人共度时光、照顾她的宠物鸡、尝试新食谱以及亲近大自然。

Catherine Wang

教师

Catherine Wang就读于多伦多大学，正在攻读公共政策硕士学位。Catherine 执教辩论总共 7 年，从执教她的高中辩论队开始，她带领的队伍成为该地区排名第一的高中队。她教授过 6-17 岁各种经验水平的学生。在比赛方面，她参与辩论超过 9 年，参加过无数比赛。值得注意的是，她曾两次获得Lower Mainland 地区冠军、BC 省级锦标赛最佳辩手 和 UBC HST 决赛入围者。此外，Catherine 热爱公共演讲的艺术，她在高中成立了诗歌朗诵队，并带领他们在 PoetryInVoice 温哥华锦标赛中获胜。

Alice Xu

教师

Alice 目前就读于哥伦比亚大学和巴黎政治学院的双学士学位课程，计划攻读政治学和国际关系学位。她打辩论已有七年，其中两年是作为加拿大国家辩论队的成员。作为辩手，Alice 在国内和国际上赢得了三十多个奖项。她是 NSDA 美国全国辩论锦标赛和英国议会省级锦标赛的冠军，打入了哈佛世界学校的半决赛和加拿大全国辩论锦标赛。此外，她还在加拿大省级辩论锦标赛和皇后大学辩论锦标赛等众多比赛中被评为最佳辩手前10名。Alice 非常高兴能在 FDT 教授聪明的年轻人。

Diya Perry

教师

Diya 目前就讀於倫敦國王學院，攻讀公共政策碩士學位，並且是達勒姆大學哲學與政治學榮譽學士的應屆畢業生。這是她在 FDT 教學的第四年，擁有近十年的競技型演講與辯論經驗。在達勒姆大學期間，Diya 擔任辯論社競賽部門的負責人，組織比賽並為其他學生教授辯論。Diya 對於能夠在 FDT 與學生繼續分享她對演講的熱情感到非常興奮！

Ellen Li

主讲教练

Ellen 是英属哥伦比亚大学三年级的政治学专业学生。在她的辩论生涯中，Ellen 曾多次前往不同国家参加国际辩论赛事。她的一些亮眼成绩包括：2019 年卑诗省资格赛前三名、2019 年 UBC Falls 赛冠军队伍及冠军演讲者、2019 年 LMW 区域赛冠军队伍及亚军演讲者，以及 2019 年 BP 全国赛的晋级队伍成员。Ellen 已有五年的辩论经验，并在高年级时担任 Crofton House School 辩论社的联合队长。她拥有丰富的青少年教学经验，更重要的是，她非常享受授课的过程。辩论让学生跨越国界、文化与舒适圈——Ellen 迫不及待想看到 FDT 的辩手们未来将走向何方！

Anthony Galipeau

教师

Anthony 在卡尔顿大学攻读国际经济政策博士学位。他拥有八年的辩论经验，能教授多种辩论形式，包括英国议会辩论、加拿大议会辩论、加拿大国家辩论和世界学校辩论。他经常在小学、高中和大学级别的国内和国际比赛中担任决赛裁判。作为一名能说流利的法语的辩手，Anthony 曾在省级赛的双语辩论赛中担任裁判，并为法语辩手教授辩论课。作为辩手参加比赛时，Anthony 曾参加过 Hart House IV 和 University of Southern California IV 等锦标赛。他曾代表卡尔顿大学参加2021年和2023年的世界大学辩论锦标赛，两次都名列前茅。 Anthony 非常珍惜在 FDT 的时光，他很高兴能继续帮助 FDT 学生找到自己的声音并实现梦想！

Kelly Ho

小学组主管

Kelly 目前是哈佛大学的硕士生，攻读教育政策与分析硕士学位，专注于高等教育方向。作为一名教练，她已有超过六年的竞技辩论教练经验。

在更广泛的辩论社群中，Kelly 曾担任不列颠哥伦比亚省辩论与演讲协会（DSABC）董事会的下本拿比东区区域协调员。

在高中期间，Kelly 参加了五年的竞技辩论。她两次进入全国赛，分别是在2019年参加英国议会辩论全国赛，以及2020年参加加拿大高级辩论全国赛。她还在高年级时担任了Little Flower Academy辩论队长。她最难忘的辩论时刻是2019年在英国议会省级赛中进入决赛，并在2020年获得法律基金会杯（Law Foundation Cup）第三名！

Kelly 非常期待与各个年龄段的学生分享她的经验、对辩论的热情以及对世界的知识！

Alexander Beaumont

教师

Alexander 拥有超过 10 年的辩论教练经验，他拥有麦吉尔大学历史和加拿大研究学位，辅修国际关系。自 FDT 成立以来，Alexander 一直在 FDT 担任演讲、辩论和模拟联合国的教练，他的许多学生赢得无数国际比赛，并进入加拿大国家辩论队。在整个高中期间，Alexander 都是 2012 年欧洲公开赛、2013 年欧洲之心和 2013 年加拿大全国辩论研讨会的冠军。在大学期间，Alexander 继续提高他的辩论技巧，赢得了 2016 年加拿大 BP 英国议会制辩论全国赛，入围 2016 年北美大学辩论锦标赛决赛，并担任多项北美比赛的首席裁判。

Zachary Goldthorpe

教师

Zachary 毕业于 UBC 商学院，主修金融，辅修国际关系，专注于可持续发展和社会影响。他拥有超过 9 年的公共演讲和辩论竞赛经验，他高中的辩论队的队长。他教授大学水平的公共演讲课程，并在加拿大西部的 JDC West 的 UBC Sauder 团队中取得第一名。 Zachary 还参加了世界Scholar’s Cup 学者杯，在来自世界各地的近 1,600 名学生中个人排名第三。在过去的六年里，他继续指导数百名学生，帮助他们多次进入世界学者杯前10名，以及夺得四次世界学者杯世界冠军。他的学生赢得了无数国际演讲与辩论赛的冠军，其中一位在最近加入了加拿大国家演讲队和加拿大国家辩论队。Zachary 很高兴继续成为 FDT 的一员，他讲继续激励他的学生在辩论、公共演讲和学术方面达到更高的高度！

Noel Frederick

教师

Noel 拥有超过 5 年的教练经验和 12 年的辩论赛经验。在圣玛丽大学获得应用经济学硕士学位后，Noel 还获得了卡尔顿大学商法文学学士学位。 Noel 拥有指导英国议会辩论、加拿大全国辩论、世界学校辩论、加拿大议会辩论和美式公共论坛辩论的经验，并担任 FDT 公共论坛课程的首席教练。他曾担任南京外国语学校哈佛辩论项目、张家港常春藤国际学校辩论项目的首席辩论教练，带领学生在各个级别的比赛中取得佳绩，包括夺得NSDA China Nationals 2020最佳辩手，以及 2019-2021 年 NSDA 中国地区比赛的许多个人和团体冠军。作为一名辩手，Noel 有着傲人的战绩。2017年他打入Lord Dorchester辩论锦标赛决赛，2019年他进入 Seagrams锦标赛半决赛，并多次作为首席进入高中和大学锦标赛决赛。

Rody Visotski

教师

Rody 就读于卡尔加里大学，主修荣誉政治学和国际关系双学位，辅修法语和法律与社会。在过去的五年里，他作为辩手、裁判和教练积极活跃在辩论界。Rody 之前曾担任普林斯顿 IV、耶鲁 IV 和 WUDC 韩国等辩论赛的裁判。作为教练，Rody 教授了无数学生班课与私教课程，他的学生经常取得令人难以置信的成就：晋级Law Foundation Cup (BC省辩论省级赛)和初、高级组国家赛，赢得 Meadowridge，Burnaby 和 UBC HST 等辩论赛等等。他的学生在无数比赛中取得了令人印象深刻的团队或个人成绩，并通过演讲和辩论展示了他们的能力和信心的显著提高！作为常驻的模拟审判和模拟法庭教练，Rody 的学生在 Dominion Cup 和 Pacific Mock Trial 等比赛中被评为最佳证人和律师，甚至赢得了 2022 年高中模拟审判锦标赛。 Rody 在正式和非正式场合拥有超过 10 年的公共演讲经验，他很高兴能将他的知识和专长带到 FDT！

Abigail Conrad

教练主管

Abigail 目前正在卡尔加里大学攻读法律硕士。她毕业于 UBC 国际关系专业。她有10年的辩论比赛经验和7年辩论教练经验。她的学生在许多竞争激烈的高中和大学辩论比赛中赢得了诸多著名奖项，包括哈佛世界学校邀请赛、加拿大国家锦标赛（初级和高级组）、美国全国锦标赛、世界学校辩论锦标赛（WSDC）和欧洲大学辩论锦标赛（EUDC）。她曾担任丹麦国家辩论队的教练两年，是其在越南河内举行的WSDC比赛的主教练。

Abigail 在辩论社群内也担任着领导角色。她曾任Alberta辩论与演讲协会的双语副主席和辩论副主席，并担任英属哥伦比亚大学辩论社的主席。Abigail 本身也是一位成功的竞赛型辩手；在高中时，她在2020年加拿大国家辩论锦标赛中晋级半决赛，并在2018年哈佛世界学校辩论锦标赛中获得第三名的辩手。作为一名大学辩手，Abigail 赢得了2020年的Hugill比赛，曾是2022年加拿大议会全国锦标赛的半决赛选手和最佳演讲者，并在2023年加拿大BP锦标赛中获得亚军。Abigail 喜欢帮助高中辩手更多地了解世界，使他们能够在更高级别的辩论回合中有效参与，并帮助他们为大学及以后的生活做好准备。

Nicholas Rees

Instructor

Nicholas is a student studying Physics and Maths at the University of British Columbia. He has been debating for the past seven years and competed in Canadian Nationals four times during high school, and also found success in Model UN at this time. Nicholas has continued debating in university and broke at large university tournaments, such as Western IV and Hart House IV. He is also in charge of several debate tournaments hosted by UBC. During his time at FDT, Nicholas has seen his students accomplish some great things, most recently with some advancing to Canadian Nationals in 2023. Nicholas believes people best improve at debate when they enjoy it, and he hopes he can help all of his students at FDT find their passion for debate as he has.

Moira O'Donoghue

Instructor

Moira is completing a Business degree with minors in Human Geography and Urban Studies at the University of Toronto. She has over 8 years of competitive debate and public speaking experience and has coached students from 4 years old to university students from beginner to International level competition. She currently coaches debate and public speaking at the York School in Toronto. She has judged numerous high school and university debate tournaments and has been involved in tournament organizing committees in both tabulation and Adjudication roles, helping her coach students on best practices for competitive success. Moira has competed at the national level in both French and English debate and continues to be involved in the university debate circuit. She is well-versed in all formats used at the high school and university level in Canada and the most common international formats, including Canadian National Debate Format, British Parliamentary, Worlds, Cross Examination, and Canadian Parliamentary. Moira is passionate about helping students find their voice through debate by empowering them to step out of their comfort zones to reach their full potential.

Anthony Galipeau

Instructor

Anthony is beginning his doctoral studies in International Economic Policy at Carleton University. With eight years of experience in debate, Anthony has experienced a number of debate formats, including British Parliamentary, Canadian Parliamentary, Canadian National Debate, and World Schools. He regularly adjudicates the Finals of national and international tournaments at the grade school, high school, and university level. As a fluent French speaker, Anthony has adjudicated bilingual debate rounds at provincial championships and taught debate lessons for francophone debaters. When competing as a debater, Anthony has reached the out rounds of tournaments like the Hart House IV and the University of Southern California IV. He has represented Carleton University at the World University Debating Championships in 2021 and 2023, ranking impressively both times. Anthony has cherished his time in FDT, and is excited to continue helping FDT students find their voice and achieve their dreams!

Ellen Li

Lead Instructor

Ellen is a third year Political Science student at the University of British Columbia. Throughout her debate career, Ellen has travelled to numerous countries for competitive debate, and attended many international tournaments. Some highlights include: Top Three at the BC Qualifiers 2019, Champion Team and Speaker at UBC Falls 2019, Champion Team and Second Place Speaker at LMW Regionals 2019, and breaking team at BP Nationals 2019. Ellen has been competitively debating for five years, and was the co-captain of the Debate Club at Crofton House School her senior year. She has experience coaching kids, and–more importantly–enjoys spending her time instructing. Debate brings students across borders, cultures, and comfort zones–Ellen can’t wait to see where FDT’s debaters will end up!

Diya Perry

Instructor

Diya is a current masters student in public policy at Kings College London and a recent honours graduate in philosophy and politics from Durham University. Beginning her fourth year instructing at FDT, Diya has nearly a decade of competitive public speaking and debating. At Durham, Diya headed the competitive debate society as a tournament organizer as well as a debate instructor for other students. Diya is excited to continue sharing her passion for speaking with students for another year at FDT!

Alice Xu

Instructor

Alice is currently enrolled in the Dual BA Program between Columbia University and Sciences Po where plans to pursue degrees in Political Science and International Relations. She’s been involved in debate for seven years, two of which she served as a member of Team Canada. As a speaker, Alice has won over thirty awards both nationally and internationally. She was the Champion of the NSDA US National Debating Championships and the British Parliamentary Provincial Championships. She has also reached the Semifinals at Harvard World Schools and the Canadian National Debating Championships. Furthermore, she has been named a Top 10 speaker at numerous Canadian events such as the Provincial Debating Championships and the Queens University Debating Championships. Alice is beyond excited to teach and learn from bright young minds at FDT.

Catherine Wang

Instructor

Catherine Wang is a student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy. Catherine has coached debate for a total of 7 years, beginning with coaching her highschool team whom she lead to become the number one highschool team in the region. She has experience coaching students aged 6-17 with experience levels ranging from beginner to advanced. Competitively, she has been involved in debate for over 9 years, competing at numerous tournaments. Notably, she has ranked as the two-time Regional Champion in the Lower Mainland, 1st place grade-divided speaker at the BC Provincial Championships, and UBC HST Finalist. Furthermore, Catherine appreciates the art of public speaking, having founded her high school’s slam poetry team and led them to victory in the PoetryInVoice Vancouver Championships

Rody Visotski

Instructor

Rody is a student at the University of Calgary pursuing a double major in Honours Political Science and International Relations, with minors in French and Law and Society. He has been actively involved in debate for the past five years as a debater, judge, and coach. Rody has previously been an adjudicator at tournaments such as the Princeton IV, Yale IV, and WUDC Korea. In his capacity as a coach, Rody has worked with countless students in group and private settings, and his students have often gone on to achieve incredible things, including qualifying for the Law Foundation Cup and Senior and Junior Nationals, winning tournaments such as Meadowridge, Burnaby, and UBC HST, posting impressive speaking results, and demonstrating drastic improvements in their capabilities and confidence with speech and debate! As the resident Mock Trial and Moot Court coach, Rody’s students have placed as Top Witnesses and Lawyers at tournaments such as the Dominion Cup and the Pacific Mock Trial, and even winning the 2022 High School Mock Trial Tournament. With over 10 years of public speaking experience in formal and informal circumstances, Rody is excited to bring his knowledge and expertise to FDT!

Noel Frederick

Instructor

Noel is a debate coach with over 5 years of coaching experience and 12 years of experience in competitive debate. Having completed a Master’s degree in Applied Economics at the University of Saint Mary’s, Noel has also received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Law from Carleton University. Noel has experience coaching British Parliamentary Debate, Canadian National Debate, World Schools Debate, Canadian Parliamentary Debate, and Public Forum Debate, and is acting as the lead coach of FDT’s Public Forum Program. He acted as the head debate teacher for the Harvard Debate Program at Nanjing Foreign Language School, and Zhangjiagang Ivy International School Debate Program, with his students having great success at all levels of competition, including coaching the top middle school speaker at NSDA China Nationals 2020, and many individual and team champions at NSDA China regional competitions between 2019-2021. As a debater, Noel had great competitive success, having reached the finals of the Lord Dorchester Debating Championships in 2017, and reaching the quarter-finals of the Seagrams Debating Championships in 2019, as well as being selected to chair numerous high school and university tournament finals.

Zachary Goldthorpe

Instructor

Zachary Goldthorpe is in his fifth and final year at the UBC Sauder School of Business, majoring in Finance with a minor in International Relations. He has over seven years of competitive public speaking and debate experience under his belt, leading his high school’s debate team, teaching a university-level public speaking course, and breaking first in Western Canada on the UBC Sauder team for JDC West. Zachary has also competed in the World Scholar’s Cup where he individually ranked 3rd place overall out of nearly 1,600 students from around the world. Since then, he has gone on to coach hundreds of students throughout the past four years, including multiple top 10 placements and four world champions in the World Scholar’s Cup, as well as countless international tournament winners in speech and debate. Zachary continues to inspire his students to reach greater heights in debating, public speaking, and academics and is excited to continue being a part of FDT!

Alexander Beaumont

Instructor

Alexander has over 10 years of coaching experience, having completed his degree in History & Canadian Studies at McGill University, with a minor in International Relations. Alexander has coached Speech, Debate, and Model UN with FDT since its inception, teaching many students who have gone on to be on Team Canada and win international tournaments. Debating throughout high school, Alexander was the champion of European Open 2012, Heart of Europe 2013, and Canadian National Debate Seminar 2013. While in university, Alexander continued to advance his debate skills, winning the 2016 Canadian BP Debate National Championships, and being a finalist at the 2016 North American University Debate Championships, as well as Chief Adjudicating many North American tournaments.

Kelly Ho

head of primary

Kelly is a current Master’s student at Harvard University pursuing a Master of Education in Education Policy and Analysis with a concentration in Higher Education. As an instructor she has been coaching competitive debate for over 6 years.

Within the wider debate community, Kelly enjoyed working with the board of Debate and Speech Association of British Columbia (DSABC) as the Lower Mainland East Regional Coordinator.

In high school Kelly debated competitively for five years. She made nationals twice, firstly at the British Parliamentary Debate Nationals in 2019 and then at the Canadian Senior Debate Nationals in 2020. She also served as the Little Flower Academy Debate Captain in her senior year. Her favourite debate highlights are breaking as a finalist at BP Provincials in 2019 and placing third at the Law Foundation Cup in 2020! 

Kelly is incredibly excited to share her experience, enthusiasm for debate, and knowledge about the world with students of all ages!

Abigail Conrad

head Instructor

Abigail is currently studying law at the University of Calgary and holds a BA in international relations from UBC. Abigail first started debating ten years ago and has now been coaching for seven years. Her current and former students have won prestigious awards at many of the most competitive tournaments in both high school and university debate, including Harvard World Schools Invitational, Canadian National Championships (both junior and senior), US Nationals, the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) and the European University Debate Championships (EUDC). She coached Team Denmark for two years, including as its head coach at WSDC in Hanoi, Vietnam. 

Abigail also has extensive experience in leadership roles within the debate community, having previously served as the VP Bilingual and the VP Debate of the Alberta Debate and Speech Association and as the president of the UBC Debate Society. Abigail is also a successful competitive debater in her own right; in high school she was a semi-finalist at the 2020 Canadian National Debate Championships and third place speaker at the 2018 Harvard World Schools Debating Championship. As a university debater, Abigail won Hugill 2020, was a semi-finalist and the top speaker of Canadian Parliamentary Nationals 2022, and was a finalist at the 2023 Canadian BP Championships. Abigail enjoys helping high school debaters learn more about the world, enabling them to participate effectively in higher-level rounds of debate and helping to prepare them for university and beyond.

Noah Macdonald

head Instructor

Noah is currently pursuing a law degree at the Allard School of Law (UBC). He holds a Master’s degree and a BA (Hons.) in Philosophy from UBC. He has been debating since high school, during which he won Top Speaker at the Canadian Nationals. In university, he continued to compete, winning 9 intervarsity tournaments and 18 speaker awards (including two at national championships) before retiring from competitive debate to focus on coaching. With eight years of coaching experience, Noah has gone on to guide students to their own significant achievements; his students have won gold medals at prestigious tournaments including Junior and Senior CNDF Nationals, BP Nationals, US Nationals, Oxford Finals Day, Stanford World Schools Invitational, and the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC). 

His coaching experience includes serving as Training Director of the UBC Debate Society and Head Coach of the Danish National Debate Team. Eleven of his students have earned spots on Team Canada, and many more have used their debate accolades to great success in applications for competitive universities. 

Noah specializes in helping students learn argumentation and analysis skills, and has received formal training in pedagogy through UBC’s Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology. More than anything, though, he hopes to share his abundant enthusiasm for debate and argumentation with students.

Luna Wang

Assistant Director of Admissions

Luna graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master’s degree in Education. In her past roles as an ESL instructor, an instructional designer, and a guidance coordinator, the key values that have guided her actions include compassion, growth, and collaboration. She has a true passion for education and a deep interest in interacting with, serving for, and educating people with diverse cultural backgrounds. As the Associate Director of Admissions at FDT, Luna hopes to build and maintain trustworthy relationships with families and students.

Ghazal Habib

Director of Operations

Ghazal joined FDT in 2018 as the Director of Operations. Having been involved in business operations for nearly a decade, Ghazal has vast experience in program development, human resources and process optimization. 

With a Master’s in Policy and Management, Ghazal spent nearly five years creating and delivering international programming in the regions of East Africa and the South Pacific. With a passion for working with people, Ghazal enjoys contributing to FDT’s growing community of students and educators.

Cathy Cena

Director of Admissions

With over 30 years of experience in sales and marketing, Cathy brings a wealth of business experience to FDT. She is passionate about giving parents and students the FDT experience and believes in enriching the lives of students through speech. Debate and speech are life long skills for students in all facets of their life from elementary school to university. When Cathy is not meeting with parents, she can be found planning events. She is an avid volunteer and the President of the Optimist Club, Past President of the Arts Center, and most recently wrote a book. Please email her anytime to find out more about FDT Academy!

Tonya Cena

Academy Manager

Tonya has managed FDT Academy for the past decade and is a pivotal part of the team. She is the go-to person for all student and parent inquiries, tournament preparation steps, and much more! Tonya has travelled to various places around the world, bringing debaters to tournaments in truly stunning locations, including Cape Town and Bangkok. She is excited to see where FDT will take her next!

Chelli Shapiro

director of public speaking

Chelli is a master’s candidate in Political Science at McGill University, where she specializes in Canadian politics, with a secondary focus on the comparative subfield. A seasoned competitor with almost a decade of experience in public speaking, debate, and Model United Nations, she was Alberta’s top-place delegate for the 2018 Canada’s National Debate Team tryouts and earned the 2019 Janet Garten Award for her dedication to debate. In 2016, she was the first alternate for Team Canada Speech. Chelli’s coaching highlights include guiding the Canadian Public Speaking Champion to victory and mentoring students who excelled at Public Speech Worlds. She is excited to bring her passion for creativity and confidence-building into her sixth year of coaching at FDT.

Behbod Negahban

Head of Curriculum

With a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Yale College, Behbod has coached debate at the highest level for over a decade, with many students among the top ten speakers of the World Schools Debating Championships. A former member of the Canadian national debate team himself, he won the 2014 Pan-American and 2012 EurOpen Debating Championships, and reached the semifinals of the World School’s Debating Championships in 2014. Outside of debate, Behbod has experience in academic research, journalism, and governmental affairs, including work experience in Washington, DC. He is completing a Master’s degree in history at McGill University. 

Arsalan Ghaemi

Director of Debate

Arsalan has over a decade of experience competing in and coaching debate. As FDT’s Director of Debate, he has developed a strong reputation amongst his students, as many of them have won events at the regional, provincial and international level. Arsalan is a coach of the National Canadian Debate Team, Head Coach of Debate at St. George’s School in Vancouver and is an alumnus of the University of British Columbia. With a degree in Honours Political Science. Arsalan is excited to continue working with FDT students and helping them find their voice.

Dena Tabyanian

director of education

Our Director of Education has been coaching for thirteen years. She was on Team Canada herself as a debater in high school, which is the highest level of debate that can be achieved as a high school student. She coached speech and debate at Crofton House School for seven years and coached Team Denmark for five years. She received her Masters’ degree in Education in England and for the last nine years she’s been coaching competitive students, many of whom have ended up on Team Canada for speech and debate. She is in charge of teaching and learning at the academy, teaches only our highest level classes, and takes on a limited number of private students.

Frankie Cena

FOUNDING DIRECTOR

Frankie began his debate coaching career at his former public high school, where he coached a group of debaters who cemented the school’s reputation as one of the best debate schools in the Lower Mainland.

In 2011, Frankie was named the Head Speech and Debate Coach of Crofton House School and trained numerous students to win Regional, Provincial, National, and International Championships. His breakthrough moment was when he brought 9 of his top students to the Czech Republic, where they defied expectations and advanced to the final round. Frankie’s students have won the EurOpen Championship in Germany, the Vancouver Regional Debate Championship, the Provincial Law Foundation Cup, the Heart of Europe Championship, the UBC Debate Tournament, the International Competition for Young Debaters at Cambridge University, and more.

One of Frankie’s personal goals was realized when the Danish School Board selected him to coach the National Debate Team of Denmark. In a matter of just a few years, that team grew to become one of the most competitive in the world.

In 2016 Frankie founded FDT Academy, a true culmination of all of his experiences as a debater and esteemed coach. Frankie also works as a keynote speaker, performer, and TV Host.