Mr. Beard’s would tell you that coaching high school speech and debate students is his life’s work. His experience in competitive debate as a freshman in high school made such a strong impression on him that it ignited a passion for the activity. His desire to provide as many students as possible with the life-changing experience of speech and debate has fueled his journey as an educator. That journey has led him to teaching in Dallas, Katy, Spring, and Cypress on the way to Fort Bend ISD. He has been recognized by the Texas Forensic Association as a Hall of Fame coach and has earned the Five Diamond Honors by the National Speech & Debate Association for helping each of his students find their voice. Speech and debate is also a family affair for Mr. Beard:  His wife is a decorated speech & debate coach in the Houston area, his two adult children are both fromer TFA State qualifiers in speech, and his youngest son is a member of his school's speech & debate program. When not coaching or teaching, Mr. Beard enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, following Astros baseball, playing guitar, building with LEGO, taking trips to Walt Disney World, and drinking far too much Dunkin’ Donuts coffee.