With the start of the school year, Ross Fitzpatrick enters a new leadership position as a Middle and Upper School Debate Coach. As a previous Greenhill Debate Assistant Coach, Fitzpatrick notes his new role has brought more teaching opportunities.
“I knew I wanted to continue to build relationships with the students and try to help them reach their ceiling as debaters,” Fitzpatrick said. “They are just so talented and hard working.”
He currently teaches five Middle School Debate classes, as well as all three levels of policy debate. As a coach, he travels on weekends with the team, helping them prepare their arguments.
“He has had some pretty big shoes to fill,” sophomore Akash Bose said. “Still, I think he is doing a really good job.”
Fitzpatrick’s adjustments as a full-time coach were somewhat nerve-racking for him, Middle and Upper School Debate Coach Rodrigo Paramo said.
“It can be a little daunting to have so much responsibility,” Paramo said. “But from the moment that we had his interview, he was very proactive with this change.”
Fitzpatrick first worked with Greenhill Debate last year, serving as an assistant coach. His past role, under former Debate Coach Allie Chase, has helped him grow closer to the debaters.
“He had a bit of a head start because he knew a lot of the students,” Paramo said. “Now, he can really focus on some of the mechanics of running a team and that logistical piece.”
With the preexisting student relationships, Fitzpatrick says he has focused mainly on growing as a teacher, while also helping the team evolve.
“He is a lot more competition oriented, which is good for this year because most of us are competing frequently,” junior Dhiya Hemchand said.
According to Paramo, he has had a slightly different approach to teaching, making changes to what Chase had previously done.
“We spend a lot of time in class doing prep,” Hemchand said. “We also work before school doing more practice with Mr. Fitzpatrick.”
As a result of taking on a new leadership position, Paramo says Fitzpatrick has worked hard to ensure he is providing the best for his students.
“The difference in the expectations from the students and faculty has really motivated me to give it my all,” Fitzpatrick said. “I have seen just how dedicated they are, and how high the expectations are here, but it is for good reason.”
In addition to his work towards improving the team, Fitzpatrick has worked towards improving himself as a teacher and coach.
“He has been very straight up and upfront in being willing to ask questions,” Paramo said. “He is just eager to learn all of this new stuff.”
Paramo says he has also created a special connection with Fitzpatrick, as they both have a passion for movies.
“I saw him at the movie theater one night and we were both seeing a re-release of a movie,” Paramo said. “It [was] a big coincidence, but captures how we have such similar interests.”
According to sophomore Valentina Rojas, these shared interests allow the team to collaborate and compose the best possible program.
“I think [Fitzpatrick] really builds the program,” Rojas said. “Because of his connection with everyone, we are able to focus more on our skills.”
While Fitzpatrick was adjusting to his new leadership role, the team also competed in their season opening tournament on Sep. 13-15, the Grapevine Classic.
Debaters made their first impressions at the tournament, showing what they have learned by having Fitzpatrick as a new coach.
“I am super excited to get started,” Fitzpatrick said. “I want to encourage anyone in the Greenhill community to see what our students are working on as well, because they work so incredibly hard.”
