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 Four Diamond debate coach as recognized by the National Speech and Debate Association 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, and 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 students outside of the classroom. To that end, I am a firm believer that either Speech or Debate equip young people to more easily navigate a complex world.
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 22nd year at Clear Brook High School I have been both privileged and honored to teach some of the highest caliber of students who live in CCISD. Over the past 21 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, Yale, Rice, Notre Dame, Stanford, 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 debate 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. We also have the distinction of having students who have won notable scholarships in the greater Houston area. Gabriel Rivera also holds the distinction of being the 3rd place UIL State LD Debater in Texas his senior year at Brook while Iyad Chowdhury was a UIL State Qualified LD Debater, 1st place in our Region.
In addition to being the campus Speech & Debate Director, I am also responsible for acting as our University Interscholastic League Coordinator, our Campus Academic Decathlon Sponsor and a member of the South Texas National Speech & Debate Association planning committee.
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" and, to that end, I WILL be reaching out to you in hopes that you can help my assistant and me make 2024-2025 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, and 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 students outside of the classroom. To that end, I am a firm believer that either Speech or Debate equip young people to more easily navigate a complex world.
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 22nd year at Clear Brook High School I have been both privileged and honored to teach some of the highest caliber of students who live in CCISD. Over the past 21 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, Yale, Rice, Notre Dame, Stanford, 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 debate 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. We also have the distinction of having students who have won notable scholarships in the greater Houston area. Gabriel Rivera also holds the distinction of being the 3rd place UIL State LD Debater in Texas his senior year at Brook while Iyad Chowdhury was a UIL State Qualified LD Debater, 1st place in our Region.
In addition to being the campus Speech & Debate Director, I am also responsible for acting as our University Interscholastic League Coordinator, our Campus Academic Decathlon Sponsor and a member of the South Texas National Speech & Debate Association planning committee.
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" and, to that end, I WILL be reaching out to you in hopes that you can help my assistant and me make 2024-2025 one of our best years yet!
Please feel free to contact me below with any questions you may have.
Michael Rutledge
CBHS Speech & Debate
