Prof. Tennisha Sonsalla, Assistant Director of Forensics at Tennessee State University, and winner of the Outstanding New Coach Award from the American Forensics Association for the academic year 2024-2025, is excited to join the Little Loudspeakers Academy, LLC group as an instructor for Public Speaking, Debate, and Creative Writing.
Prof. Tennisha Sonsalla, also known as the “Confidence Whisperer” at Little Loudspeakers Academy, graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Communication and Forensics. She specializes in working with students who are shy or low in confidence. She is highly knowledgeable in all aspects of communication, particularly public speaking, debate, and creative writing.
Prof. Tennisha has made it her mission to pass on her knowledge and teach communication skills, which she finds deeply rewarding. She is passionate about inspiring students to enjoy public speaking, debate, and creative writing—skills she believes will benefit their futures as adults and enrich their current lives.
Ms.Tennisha has over 15 years of experience teaching a variety of ages from pre-kindergarten through senior citizens in subjects of Public Speaking, Creative Writing, Reading, and English. Tennisha is very passionate about the world of competitive speech and debate and its impact on youth education. Tennisha currently serves as the Assistant Director of Forensics at Tennessee State University. Throughout her career, Tennisha has held many positions and conducted valuable research for the field of competitive speech and debate. Tennisha has worked with students from various backgrounds across the country, both in performance and research.
For the 2024–2025 academic year, Tennisha was honored with the Outstanding New Coach Award from the American Forensics Association.
Her passion for education and her desire to share knowledge with others have only grown stronger over time. She wants young people to know that everyone can become a confident public speaker, and that with the right support, they can build skills that will serve them throughout their lives—and maybe even have fun doing it!
Awards, Scholarships & Publications
- Outstanding New Coach Award, American Forensics Association (2024–2025 Academic Year)
Publications:
- J. Rudnick, D. Roberts, T. Sonsalla, V. Fowler, C. Webb (2024). Delivery Modes, Elements, and Exceptions: Exploring and Troubling the Canon of Delivery in Public Speaking. The Routledge Handbook of Public Speaking Research and Theory.
- Thesis: Continuing to Do the Work: Examining the Experiences of Students of Color in Collegiate Speech and Debate
Service to the Forensics Community:
- Tournament Director, Historically Black College and University Nationals (2025–Present.)
- Executive Committee Member, Interstate Oratorical Association (2025–Present)
- Tournament Host, 2025