What was your first NFL experience?

As a first year coach in 1984-1985, I qualified one student, Matt Seddon, in Student Congress. I had no idea what to do or how to go about doing it. I was clueless about whatever "it" was. Laurel Moore came to my rescue and held my hand throughout the process. She had been my co-operating teacher during my year of student teaching, and a much needed friend as a new coach. With her help, Matt and I set off to Eau Claire, Wisconsin for my first national tournament experience. In some ways, it will always be my favorite nationals. I learned so much by watching, and several performances at that tournament still stand out as some of my all time favorites.

When did you decide to be a teacher and/or a coach?

My mother used to tell a story that on the first day of first grade, I excitedly ran out to the car and she asked, "How was school?" I quickly responded, "I loved it! I'm going to be a teacher like Mrs. Craig when I grow up." If you know me, you know I haven't "grown" very much. Once I started competing in the 10th grade, everything seemed destined for me to coach and teach speech, debate, theatre adn English.

What is your team philosophy?

I have always tried to teach my students that hard work and dedication will always pay off. It may not surface immediately in terms of trophies, but the skills, life lessons, personal satisfaction and friendships gained by competing in forensics are incomparable. I also think teamwork is important for any successful team. Any team, large or small, can have a few standout competitors. To me a truly successful team is one comprised of individual competitors who take pride in their teammates' accomplishments as much as their own. It seems more honorable to me when a team's success is earned by working together to help all team members achieve their ultimate potential. I have been known to tell my students, "If you can look in the mirror at the end of the tournament and know that you did everything within your power to do your very best for yourself and your teammates, then you have succeeded, trophy in hand or not."

How many hours do you spend with this activity a week? Too many to calculate. My husband thinks if I had a bed in my office, there would be nights I wouldn't come home. I willingly spend the time necessary to ensure my students have a beneficial experience because I love this activity, my students and the friends I have made. Every year after NFL Nationals, I am a bit burned out; I feel drained of all creative energy. Then camp time rolls around, and I have the opportunity to work wtih such amazing people who have become my best friends. The time we spend together at campu rejuvenates my spirit.

What is your vision for the future of the NFL?

I would like the NFL to help us grow locally, to help us find ways to reach out to schools without programs. New Mexico, like so many other states and districts struggles. The number of schools competing since the time I was in high school here is less than half. New Mexico covers a large area dotted with wonderful towns and communities that have great high schools and amazing kids; but the costs of traveling a team at least four hours for a tournament in the larger metropolitan areas is burdensome. It costs a great deal of money to pay for a bus, a bus driver, and hotel rooms. The funding just isn't there in many of our school districts. I would also say personnel or coaching is an important issue. The schools with programs have difficulty finding and keeping coaches. The schools that used to have programs either don't have the coaching personnel or struggle with funding issues.

What is exciting abotu being an NFL coach in the state of New Mexico?

We have so few programs, I love helping a new school come on board. At this time, our statewide primary focus is to maintain the programs we have and to find ways to help schools start new forensics programs.

What's unique about the Albuquerque Academy as an NFL chapter?

I don't think we are any different from most high schools in that we have wonderful students are are highly motivated and love competition. The students seek us out. Where some schools struggle for internal support, we, on the other hand, are lucky. Our administration, faculty and parents are supportive and helpful at every turn.

What qualities do you look for when recruiting students for your program?

I seek out students with dynamic personalities, but what I love most is to take the shy, introverted student and allow forensics to work its magic. I had a student who was so quiet and shy that the first time I worked with her, I could barely hear her and she was standing 3 feet away from me. Today, she is in Los Angeles working on an acting career.

How has the NFL changed since your days as a competitor?

NFL Nationals is much larger than when I was competing and a new coach. In some ways, I miss being able to hold the tournament in one location. Last year, it took an army of adults for us to get all of our students where they needed to be on time.

What is your favorite memory from a National Tournament?

Forensics and the National Forensic League have given me so many special memories that it is hard to pinpoint one. The lessons I have learned from great coaches who have taken the time to share their knowledge with me, the friends I have made, and the amazing students who have allowed me to be a part of their lives are all special. The memories from my former NFL National Tournaments that I recount for my students all teach lessons: "Never Give Up!" - The student who was 61st and did not break but because of a disqualification was put back in the tournament and went on to be the National Champion. "Don't Make Bad Choices!" -Midweek a policy debate team was caught throwing fire crackers off of the balcony at their hotel in Indianapolic into a rental care lot below. Unfortunately, they were my students. This was before we all carried cell phones so the hotel called the tournament. Mr. Copeland, not looking too happy I might add, came into Supplemental Tab to find me. I immediately went to pick up the boys and put them on the next plane home.

What is the greatest challenge as a coach today?

As coaches we must remember that this activity is for our students. We absolutely must teach the right lessons about competition and winning. When a coach does anything or allows their students to do anything unethical, the students learn that winning and success isn't about hard work and dedication. As a result, they carry these practices with them for the rest of their lives. To me winning just isn't that important.

Are there any rituals/lucky traditions that you employ as a coach?

The laugh, a funny face I try to mask, and a whistle: I have this laugh that my students like to imitate. It's a giggle that sounds a bit like Scooby Doo. But when my students succeed in bringing out that laugh, they know that what they said or did was truly funny. My students also say I make weird faces when I watch them practice. They claim my expressions make them think they are messing up, and as a result, they mess up. Perhaps, students whom I have judged feel the same way. So, when I want to watch my students at a tournament, I find a big guy to sit behind and peak out occasionally. I have a special whistle when I need to get their attention. Whether walking through an airport or across a campus, when they hear the "whistle" they stop dead in their tracks and look for me.''

What's your favorite weekend tournament food item?

I would not be able to survive a tournament without a Dr Pepper. When we travel to tournaments in the eastern part of the United States, I have to make a special trip to a grocery store to purchase my own supply because they never have them in the snack bars or in the machines.