Claire Roberts serves as Fortify’s coach for Lincoln-Douglas debate, Oratory Analysis, and Impromptu speech. She has been homeschooling her five kids, ages 9-17, for 13 years. Her passion is literature and teaching kids how to think, not what to think, heavily utilizing the Socratic Method in the educational process.

Claire and her husband, married for 20 years, have led small groups within their church, Sunday school classes of all ages, and large teen ministries. Claire also has been teaching high school literature classes at a large local homeschool co-op for many years.

This will be the fourth year that Claire and her family have been with the STOA speech and debate league. It has been an immeasurably valuable addition to their entire family’s education, and even more so their personal lives, as the friendships and connections made have been one of the biggest treasures of all.

I’m Kristi and I have a degree in early childhood education where I spent a few years teaching in a public-school setting.  My husband and I have been married for 16 years and have four children, ages 6-14.  They bring us much joy.  Before they began school, I was called to this homeschool adventure and nine years later I am still at it.  My husband and I enjoy seeing them gain wisdom and insight from different perspectives while still holding to their biblical worldview.

This will be our 2nd year in STOA. While my oldest loves speech, my three younger girls have found sweet friendships and new skills in the Juniors class. This year will be my first to teach Juniors and I look forward to helping as it combines building friendships and confidence in these early years.

When I’m not teaching, I love spending time with husband, traveling, reading, experiencing the simplicity of nature, chocolate, coffee, and quiet moments in thought and rest. While all of these bring me much joy, it’s simply Christ that brings me the ultimate peace. In this season, I’m so grateful.

Cindy Fleming is Fortify’s coach for Interpretive speech events. She has a rich history of both speech and drama. She loves to share her passion for the theatre arts with her students. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education Theatre and Communication Arts from Oklahoma Baptist University, January 1993.

Cindy has over 25 years of experience teaching children ages pre-k through high school in many different venues, including eleven years teaching speech and drama at homeschool co-ops. Her greatest joys at home have been homeschooling her three fantastic boys (two of whom now attend Dallas Baptist University); being a help-mate to her sweet husband of 24 years, Dave; and spending time in God’s Word learning about our Savior, Jesus Christ. She and her husband also enjoy serving their church’s youth group.

Robin Owens is the Fortify Apologetics coach. Having a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida, she spent five years in the chemical and textile industry before leaving for seminary. She then received a Master of Arts in Theology in Biblical Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Robin has taught a variety of subjects through various homeschool groups for the last eight years. Most recently, she enjoys teaching Old and New Testament Survey and Physical Science. She is also a Merit Badge Counselor with Boy Scouts and she and her husband help lead a homegroup for their church as well as provide premarital mentorship to couples. She loves inspiring students to pursue Scripture and more importantly the One the Scriptures espouse: Jesus.

Originally from Florida, Robin has lived in Texas since 2002. She has enjoyed 18 years of marital bliss with her husband, Chris, and they have four children: Payne, Evie, Auburn, and Liam. Payne and Evie will be entering their third year as speech and debate competitors, while Auburn and Liam are continuing as juniors. One of Robin's dream vacations would be hiking through trails with family, reading theology and Jane Austen, and hammocking.