Teachers' Institute

We are pleased this year to offer a way for teachers to be exposed to the same rigorous curriculum to which our students are exposed.  Teachers who join our program will "attach" themselves to labs to audit the curriculum for any workshop(s) we offer.  Of course, we ask that participants in this program simply audit workshop sessions and limit their interaction with the lab to post-session discussion with lab leaders and the Teacher's Institute Coordinator.

This year's teacher workshop will be conducted from June 21 - July 4.

We are pleased to announce that Glenda Ferguson will once again join us as the Teachers' Institute Coordinator this summer. She will act as a mentor to teachers auditing the workshops, and she will be available during the day to help answer questions and coordinate teacher activities, needs, and requests. Glenda has a number of years of experience working with both teachers and students; her success speaks for itself. Glenda coaches speech and debate at Coppell High School and serves as a member of the National Forensic League Executive Council. We are excited that we will be able to offer her expertise for coaches attending our workshops this summer!

The total cost, including room/board, for teachers to audit the workshops is $600*

*Teachers may elect to live in the dorm among the students during their stay and serve as dorm supervisors and practice round judges.  Dorm supervisors are asked to perform dorm duty 3-5 nights per week. This entails conducting room check at 10pm and monitoring the dorm facility until 12am. This option will reduce the total tuition to $0. The number of available positions will be limited by the number of student enrollees.

Commuters will receive a discount of $100 per week. The commuter option is only available for Teachers' Institute participants.

Participants in the Teachers' Institute are eligible to apply for scholarships awarded by the National Forensic League.  Mean Green Workshops has offered several full scholarships to cover the tuition to attend as a participant in the Mentor Program.  Teachers who elect this option may be asked to serve in a dorm supervisory capacity 1-2 times per week (as described above).  Housing is optional and is included in the scholarship award.

For more information and an application, visit the NFL.

All teachers who wish to register for the Teachers' Institute should contact Jason Sykes at director@meangreenworkshops.com before June 1.  All the information we need in order to register you are the dates you wish to attend (typically beginning on the day of registration), your school, your mobile phone number, your travel arrangements, and your t-shirt size.

A criminal background check is required by the university for all adult participants of Mean Green Workshops, and all further arrangements will be made via email.

What Others Have Said

"The UNT Workshop Teaching Staff compares favorably with other 'camps' across the nation.  Indeed, many of UNT's people also work in multiple institutes.  Glenda Ferguson, who was in charge of the Teachers Institute, has a passion for helping all coaches, whether new or experienced!  Students & Teachers had the opportunity to interact with a variety of instructors representing a diversity of debate philosophies.  Teachers also had access to instructors who were invited to visit with them in small groups.  So many practical tips were shared in such settings!  Debate Topic issues were clarified. One of UNT's greatest strengths is the chance for Teachers to select a lab to visit & follow throughout the Workshop!  (Of course, we all had to understand that we were to be observers only, that questions & comments were to be made privately when the lab session was over!)  During my coaching career I attended four Teachers Institutes at the University of Iowa & three at Dartmouth College.  UNT compares most favorably to both of them in benefits to the Students & Teachers!"

-- Jo Russell (Retired, OK)

"The Mean Green Teacher Institute was fantastic! They are flexible enough to allow coaches to attend the sessions they feel they most need and they cover every level. This institute has a track for everyone, regardless of your experience. It was a truly beneficial experience to learn from this amazing staff in the areas I felt the most need. I highly recommend this institute for any coach. I assure you it will be a valuable activity that you will draw from all year long!"

-- Alicia Dunson (Creekview HS, TX)