Sara Shipley

Hey, I’m Sara!

I’ve been involved in speech and debate from the age of twelve, and it’s been a passion of mine from the start. Over the years, many different individuals poured their time, energy, and resources into me, and thanks to their investment I was able to develop and hone skills of persuasion, critical thinking, research, argumentation, and communication. If there is one thing I’ve learned, it is that it’s those skillsets and abilities that are the true takeaway of competition, more so than any trophy one could receive. My passion is to re-invest everything I learned and was taught, passing the styles I fused, skills I incorporated, and experience I gained to the next generation of debaters. 

I coach with a clear purpose in mind: to come alongside you and equip you with skills and tools you can use to serve the Lord and further His Kingdom. The debate round is important and those skills will help you win it along the way, but ultimately, that round is only the test. The real goal, the real trophy, is God’s glory. I wholeheartedly believe that He has given each and every person unique talents and abilities, and the passion I have for coaching is based in my love of using those talents that He’s given me to further the talents He’s given others. 

So yes, I equip my students with skillsets and strategies they can use to win rounds and chase trophies. However, the picture is so much bigger than that; the goal so much broader. An incredibly insightful person once advised me that “wins and losses lose distinction through the sole purpose of refining you,” and to this day it’s some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten. So while I’m here to help you win, I’m also here to further the process of refinement: refinement of skillset, refinement of character, and refinement of purpose.

CERTIFIED TO COACH: TP / Parli / Limited Prep