GFD Welcomes Jordan Kohanim to Georgia Debate!
georgiaforensics is proud to officially welcome Jordan Kohanim to Georgia Debate! She is the head debate coach at Centennial High School located in Alpharetta, GA.
She teaches ninth grade literature and composition and supervises the Georgia High School Graduation Test ELA remediation program. The upcoming school year will be her third teaching and 2nd coaching debate. During her first year of coaching her teams placed in Individual Events and Policy debate at Warner Robins, Calhoun and Carrollton. We look forward to seeing Centennial back on the circuit.
I was able to sit down and have a short interview with Jordan about debate. You can read it here!
JM: Hi! Let’s begin with a little background information on you. Did you play any sports or do any extra curricular activities while in High School and/or College?
JK: Yes I did set design for drama and played a few sports early on in high school. However, my brother has a severe form of autism so I had to spend much of my after school time caring for him. I guess that’s why now that he has full time care, I’ve delved into one of the most (if not the most) time-consuming of extra-curricular activities: debate.
JM: Starting a debate program is hard for anyone… someone without debate experience, I couldn’t imagine. What got you interested in debate?
JK: Let’s see…I think what got me involved initially was the kids. Our previously established program had been down for a year, and several students approached me hoping I would help. There were about three really dedicated kids and no one wanted to coach debate because of the time it took. I figured if no one else would do it, Centennial’s program would be gone forever. I couldn’t let that happen.
I wanted to be an effective coach, so I went to the Emory Coach’s Camp and met Jim and Melissa Wade there. They are the ones that really made the debate bug bite. It bit hard. On top of that, when I got back to North Fulton, I was welcomed by this amazing community of people like Smiley, Hill, Herndon, and Ulrich. They all helped me so much and answered every stupid question I asked with no complaint. One of the most amazing things about this activity is the sense of community that exists amongst all schools.
JM: You have a year of coaching under your belt, what are you looking forward to this upcoming season?
JK: Debate changes kids; I am so excited to see that positive shift in not only students’ attitude but their learning as well. When they start debating, they are unsure, scared of looking stupid, but about halfway through the first month or so, it stops being about other people’s perceptions. It starts becoming about argument and logic. I see kids get into this mental state where they are constantly questioning and seeking. Watching that transformation from normal kid into a debate kid is by far my favorite part of coaching. I am so privileged to be at Centennial and to watch our little program re-grow.
JM: Finally in your opinion, what makes debate stand out above other extra curricular activities?
JK: The most amazing thing about debate is that it isn’t isolated. Debate changes the way the kids view everything. They are not content to take things at face value. They become more organized, more confident. I would argue that all forms of forensics including speech competitions create confidence. However, debate is unique even in the world of competitive speaking in that it forces kids to create these arguments, counterarguments, and links in logic very quickly. Then, they are obliged to not only recognize them, but to explain them. It really is an unequaled form of academic competition that drives kids to think in ways that are new and critical.
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Jordan Kohanim is very articulate. It is apparent by her students’ success that she has passed her skills on effectively. This is commendable involvement for a 3 year new teacher.