About the Instructor
My name is Michael Rutledge and I have been the Speech & Debate coach at Clear Brook High School since 2003. I am a Triple Diamond debate coach as recognized by the National Forensics League and I was recognized as one of three finalists in 2014 of the Walter Kase Excellence in Teaching Award.
My background includes a B.A. degree from Sam Houston State in 1995 with a minor in Public Relations. I did not pursue an undergraduate degree with a specific intent on teaching at the time, however I worked in a corporate Human Resources and Recruiting / Headhunting capacity for 10 years before my immersion into education. Because of this background, I strive to bring a real-world perspective to the classroom in all that I do as I am fully aware of what the business world expects in the product of a modern-day classroom and I strive to ensure that my students - Speech or Debate - are well equipped to enter into an ever-increasingly competitive working environment.
My specific background in this particular field of study began with my high school education where I spent four years as a student of Gloria J. Walter at Palacios High School where I participated in every play production of our high school as well being an active member of our Speech & Debate traveling squad. Although we were mainly a UIL squad at that time, I did have the opportunity to participate in a myriad of events and activities ranging from One Act Play, University Interscholastic League (Prose, Poetry, Ready Writing, News Writing, Feature Writing, Headline Writing) as well as the National Forensics League and Texas Forensics Association where I focused on events such as Cross Examination Debate, Extemporaneous and Impromptu Speaking.
As I begin my 17th year at Clear Brook High School I have been both privileged and honored to teach some of the highest caliber of students whom our district has the pleasure of teaching. Over the past 16 years, Clear Brook Speech and Debate has been home to numerous class valedictorians as well as salutatorians, perfect SAT scores, and secondary education at distinguished institutions including Harvard, Rice, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, U-Miss Honors, UT-Honors, Duke and even the Naval Academy of the United States. Additionally, our team has the distinction of claiming wins such as the 1st place ranked Extemporaneous Debater in the Nation in 2013 - Rishi Suresh, the 2nd place ranked Impromptu Speaker in the state of Texas in 2014, Rakesh Vijayakumar, as well as Octa-Finalist competitors at the TFA State meet in 2016, Suketh Subramanya, Matt Garcia and Elizabeth Isabell and Double-Octa-Finalists in 2017, Gabriel Rivera, Heena Popatia and William Li as well as televised appearances for students who have won notable scholarships in the greater Houston area. Gabriel Rivera also hold the distinction of being the 3rd place UIL State LD Debater in Texas his senior year at Brook.
In addition to being the campus Speech & Debate Director, I am also responsible for acting as our University Interscholastic League Coordinator and, as a result, it is often a simple task to contact me at any time at school, although I also allow my kids access to my cell number (once district approved permission forms are signed by parent or guardian) due to our frequency of travel and my need to stay in touch with each of them when we are away at tournaments. You are free to contact me at any time via email or cell phone as well. Just email me below and I will be happy to provide you with my contact information.
Similarly, when it comes to communication, please know that I believe in open dialogue and I enjoy partnering with parents as often as I am able. Therefore, you may be hearing from me before you might have reason to contact me. This activity truly does "take a village" to maintain and, to that end, I WILL be reaching out to you in hopes that you can help my assistant and me to make 2018-2019 one of our best years yet!
Please feel free to contact me below with any questions you may have.
Michael Rutledge
CBHS Speech & Debate
My background includes a B.A. degree from Sam Houston State in 1995 with a minor in Public Relations. I did not pursue an undergraduate degree with a specific intent on teaching at the time, however I worked in a corporate Human Resources and Recruiting / Headhunting capacity for 10 years before my immersion into education. Because of this background, I strive to bring a real-world perspective to the classroom in all that I do as I am fully aware of what the business world expects in the product of a modern-day classroom and I strive to ensure that my students - Speech or Debate - are well equipped to enter into an ever-increasingly competitive working environment.
My specific background in this particular field of study began with my high school education where I spent four years as a student of Gloria J. Walter at Palacios High School where I participated in every play production of our high school as well being an active member of our Speech & Debate traveling squad. Although we were mainly a UIL squad at that time, I did have the opportunity to participate in a myriad of events and activities ranging from One Act Play, University Interscholastic League (Prose, Poetry, Ready Writing, News Writing, Feature Writing, Headline Writing) as well as the National Forensics League and Texas Forensics Association where I focused on events such as Cross Examination Debate, Extemporaneous and Impromptu Speaking.
As I begin my 17th year at Clear Brook High School I have been both privileged and honored to teach some of the highest caliber of students whom our district has the pleasure of teaching. Over the past 16 years, Clear Brook Speech and Debate has been home to numerous class valedictorians as well as salutatorians, perfect SAT scores, and secondary education at distinguished institutions including Harvard, Rice, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, U-Miss Honors, UT-Honors, Duke and even the Naval Academy of the United States. Additionally, our team has the distinction of claiming wins such as the 1st place ranked Extemporaneous Debater in the Nation in 2013 - Rishi Suresh, the 2nd place ranked Impromptu Speaker in the state of Texas in 2014, Rakesh Vijayakumar, as well as Octa-Finalist competitors at the TFA State meet in 2016, Suketh Subramanya, Matt Garcia and Elizabeth Isabell and Double-Octa-Finalists in 2017, Gabriel Rivera, Heena Popatia and William Li as well as televised appearances for students who have won notable scholarships in the greater Houston area. Gabriel Rivera also hold the distinction of being the 3rd place UIL State LD Debater in Texas his senior year at Brook.
In addition to being the campus Speech & Debate Director, I am also responsible for acting as our University Interscholastic League Coordinator and, as a result, it is often a simple task to contact me at any time at school, although I also allow my kids access to my cell number (once district approved permission forms are signed by parent or guardian) due to our frequency of travel and my need to stay in touch with each of them when we are away at tournaments. You are free to contact me at any time via email or cell phone as well. Just email me below and I will be happy to provide you with my contact information.
Similarly, when it comes to communication, please know that I believe in open dialogue and I enjoy partnering with parents as often as I am able. Therefore, you may be hearing from me before you might have reason to contact me. This activity truly does "take a village" to maintain and, to that end, I WILL be reaching out to you in hopes that you can help my assistant and me to make 2018-2019 one of our best years yet!
Please feel free to contact me below with any questions you may have.
Michael Rutledge
CBHS Speech & Debate
