Justin Kurup

Ascend California Curriculum Director of Platform Events

Mr. Justin Kurup is excited to join Ascend Speech as the Interpretation and Platform Co-Curriculum Director. Justin is currently a Director of Forensics at James Logan High School in California where he has worked as a teacher and individual events coach since 2016. With over 10 years of experience, Justin has coached numerous finalists and champions at the NSDA National Tournament, California State Championships, NIETOC, and NCFL National Tournament in all prepared speaking events. 

At James Logan, he spends his days teaching in the Ethnic Studies, Language Arts, and Performing Arts departments. Justin actually grew up in the community and competed on the James Logan team where he even won a title himself as a student. He is a proud alumni of University of California, Davis and earned a masters in Urban Education & Social Justice from the University of San Francisco. 

Though he has many passions, Justin enjoys writing poetry and traveling the world. He doesn’t go anywhere without his ride or die; a playful pit bull mix named Meeko. With a justice-oriented approach, Justin hopes to match students’ commitment to social change with a talent for speaking to produce performances that will be valued by audiences across the country. Rooted in humor and compassion, Justin sees his students as storytellers, truth seekers, and the ones we have been waiting for to set us all free.