For Teachers

Before you contact us, please reach out to your activities director or principal to let them know you are interested in starting a team at your school!
If your administrator is also interested in starting a debate team, ask them to email Amy Cram Helwich at cramhe@augsburg.edu and cc you on the email. We’ll organize a virtual meeting about what it takes to bring debate to your school!
If you’re unable to start a team but still want to incorporate debate in your classroom independently, check out our resources here. Our program team is happy to answer any questions you may have about the debate games and evidence.

For Families

First, ask your activities director if your school has a speech and debate/forensics team! 
If you don’t have a team, let your administrator know that you would be interested in starting a speech and debate team at your school. 
If your administrator is also interested in starting a debate team:

  • Ask them to email Amy Cram Helwich at cramhe@augsburg.edu and cc you on the email.
  • We’ll organize a virtual meeting about what it takes to bring debate to your school!
If your administrator is not interested in starting a team:

  • Email us at mnudl@augsburg.edu. Tell us what grade level your student is in, and what school they attend. 
  • We can potentially direct you to our closest partner school, where you may be able to join as an independent student. Policies differ school-to-school. Most require an activity fee and your own transportation.
Are you a homeschooling family? 

  • Citron Online District is a virtual program designed to accomodate students who do not have a participating district. 

Please note that MNUDL does NOT currently work with elementary-school aged students. If your student is in elementary school, we recommend searching for virtual debate programs.

For Administrators

How can debate benefit your students and school environment? Check out Our Outcomes, our Student Stories, and our Theory of Change to learn more about why debate impacts students. Having debate in your school means students have a space to engage deeply in contemporary issues, build confidence, compete and represent your school, and make strong bonds with caring adult mentors.

Ready to bring debate to your school? We can’t wait for you to join our league!

Reach out to Amy Cram Helwich directly at cramhe@augsburg.edu to learn all you need to know about how to develop a debate team and begin a partnership with MNUDL. 

LEVERAGE YOUR RESOURCES!

To learn more about how you can get your workplace involved in supporting the Minnesota Urban Debate League, email Amy Cram Helwich, Executive Director: cramhe@augsburg.edu