Bio TBA
Bio TBA
Dr. David Cram Helwich is a Senior Lecturer and serves as the University of Minnesota’s Director of Forensics. He earned his doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh, where he completed a dissertation analyzing public debates about the role of nuclear weapons and deterrence in the post-Cold War period. His research interests include security and foreign policy rhetoric, discursive ethics, argumentation pedagogy, and public argumentation & debate.
Matthew Davis has been the director of Speech and Debate at St. Croix Preparatory Academy, as well as a ninth grade English teacher, for over ten years. He has coached multiple formats (LD, CX, PF, World Schools, Speech) and has also taught elective courses on speech and debate. He has coached students at the local, regional, and national level. His goal for all levels of Lincoln-Douglas debate camps is to help students gain a stronger understanding and appreciation for the activity in an environment of positivity, while ensuring that students are better prepared to compete at whatever level they desire, be it beginner or advanced.
Dr. Bill Heinze completed his PhD in at the University of Minnesota in 2020, where he coached their speech team for 7 years. He is excited to help students in the Twin Cities learn the core skills to be great performers and communicators, including finding scripts, writing drafts, and practicing speeches over the first week of camp. As a coach, he believes it is crucial students learn how to advocate for themselves and others, and Speech and Debate are instrumental to teaching those skills.”
Bio TBA
McDonald has coached Speech and Debate since 1988, and in that span, has led dozens of participants to success at the state and national levels. Believing in the power of Speech and Debate to help students grow, McDonald’s teams and participants from Eagan High School are annual entrants, and champions, in the various disciplines at the state and national levels. His success at Eagan High School has been sustained for decades.
Tom Mickelson is the current head coach for Roosevelt High School. He is going into his 11th year of being in debate. He’s a well rounded debater with experience running all types of arguments and coaching all forms of arguments as well.
Jamie Maiers is excited to be working at MDAW again this year as a senior staff member and honorary camp “mom”. This will be her fourth season coaching novice debate for the UDL and Tartan High School. She is looking forward to all the fun we will have this summer. Currently, she is a PhD student at the University of Minnesota studying Curriculum and Instruction and previously taught high school English in California, Arizona, and Minnesota. Prior to teaching, she was a legal assistant for a federal judge. She loves to learn about current events and politics.
