Students learn better when they talk more, and with each other. The Debate-Inspired Classrooms™ approach trains teachers to cultivate authentic student discussion, driven by curiosity and problem-solving.
Debate-Inspired Classrooms™ fosters a unique environment of energy and joy. Our program nurtures a love of learning, transforming classrooms into vibrant, buzzing communities in which students – and teachers – collaborate to shape learning.
When students’ voices, ideas, and intellect are the center of instruction, they are more engaged in the classroom. Students are the authors and architects of their own learning in Debate-Inspired Classrooms™.
In response to the landscape in education and the global context in which young people learn, we are committed to supporting young people in building the power and agency to challenge injustice.
We believe that a debate-inspired classroom is an anti-racist classroom. In anti-racist classrooms, students and teachers see themselves and their lived experiences as valued; experience classrooms in which they are free to be their full selves; act as both leaders and learners in the classroom community; and develop skills and agency to disrupt racism.
Our experienced team of Instructional Coaches provide professional development and 1:1 support to educators at our partner schools, across content areas and grade levels. With the support of our team, educators utilize the Debate-Inspired Classrooms™ instructional approach, creating classroom communities where students build argumentation skills; talk with, question, and collaborate with each other; and lead and learn from one another. These are essential skills that give students power and agency over their own education.
We offer two partnership models: The Debate-Inspired Classrooms™ schoolwide model is a three-year engagement designed to support the development of all teachers across all subjects in the school, and ultimately support the learning of every student in the school. In the cohort model, a cohort of 4-6 teachers in a school commits for two years to the work of debate-inspired practices in their classrooms. The BDL provides intensive one-on-one coaching for all teachers in the cohort. We also offer alumni schools the opportunity to stay engaged. See below for a list of our current partners.
Click here to see Debate-Inspired Classrooms™ in action and to learn more.
Have questions about DI Classrooms™, its impact, or how to start a partnership?
Contact Marisa Suescun, Managing Director of Programs, at marisa@bostondebate.org.
In 2021, Kim Willingham was named Executive Director – the first woman and first Black leader – of the Boston Debate League. Before being named ED, Kim served as the BDL’s Director of Culture and Engagement and prior to that as an Instructional Coach on the Debate-Inspired Classrooms team. Throughout her 20+ years in education, Kim has held multiple leadership positions. She began her career as a Teach for America Corps Member in the Crescent City – New Orleans, LA – where she taught 6th grade ELA and Social Studies. Kim earned an EdM from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a BS from Eastern Michigan University. Her experience also includes several years in school leadership and education consulting. Originally from the Motor City, she now resides in Dorchester with her two children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time in nature. Kim is grateful for the joy she gets to experience daily working with the students, teachers, volunteers, and staff of the BDL community.