Inspiring Journey of The Westside Debaters: Empowering Students Through Critical Thinking

Embark on the historic journey of The Westside Debaters, a program at Westside Elementary School that aims to develop critical thinking, public speaking skills, and confidence in students. With a diverse student body, the program focuses on academic and behavioral incentives, encouraging students to think outside the box and engage in impactful debates on various contemporary issues. Through personal investment, self-control, and academic commitment, students excel in research, interviews, and public speaking, addressing topics like testing, teacher performance, bullying prevention, and more. The program's success is evident through improved academic performance, increased attendance, and program expansion, highlighting the transformative impact on students' lives.

• Empowerment
• Critical Thinking
• Public Speaking
• Student Success
• Academic Excellence

masi_7 Follow

Uploaded on Sep 17, 2024 | 0 Views

Download Presentation

Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.

The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.

Presentation Transcript

1. The Westside Debaters A HISTORIC JOURNEY JEFF MAY, STUDENT MENTOR WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2. The Changing Face of Westside About 700 PK-5thGrade Students 9 U.S States as well as 19 Countries represented. 74% African American 23% White 2% Asian 1% American Indian 85% Free or Reduced Lunch 15:1 Student : Teacher Ratio

3. The Westside Debaters Est. 2010-2011 School Year Teacher Selected Academic/Behavioral Incentive Critical Thinkers Analytical Students Ability to Think Outside the Box Students who have an edge

4. THE GOAL Develop Public Speaking Skills Foster Confidence Encourage Critical Thinking Develop the Ability to Research Learning how to Disagree Promote Personal Responsibility Developing a Personal view of the World around you.

5. The Personal Investment Self-Control Self-Monitoring Academic Commitment Recess & Lunch Multi-Sourced Research Fact Finding Interviews Memorization

6. OUR ARGUMENTS SOL Testing Teacher Pay for Performance Improving the Economy Bullying Prevention Bilingual Education Drug Prevention (Red Ribbon Week) Project-Based Learning

7. THE HIGHLIGHTS Newspaper Television/ HLN Syndicated Radio City Hall Performances RCPS Convocation School Board Mtg. (Pay for Performance) Wiley College & The Great Debaters

8. THE SUCCESS Personal Pride The Family Effect Student Stories Academic Improvement Increased Attendance School Pride Program Expansion

9. The 5 Tenants of the Debate Program Belief in Self Develop a sense of purpose Obligation to Excel Determination to Succeed Develop & Own a Vision

10. Student Clubs & Organizations Violin Club Social Committees Yearbook Mentor Lunch Bunch Choir HAM Radio Club Step Team Debutants Safety Patrol Recycling Club Book Club Chess Club Spanish Clubs Peer Mediators Debate Team

11. The Moral of The Story What they are becoming is more important than what they are accomplishing.

12. William Arthur Ward Mediocre teachers tell. Good teachers explain. Superior teachers demonstrate. Great teachers inspire.

13. THANK YOU!!! jmay@rcps.info www.jeffmayjr.com