The heart of school is learning and teaching, whether it’s an adult teaching a student or a student tutoring one of their peers. Numerous clubs, such as Rho Kappa and Mu Alpha Theta, offer free tutoring services for their respective subjects taught by student members of that club.
Likewise, the National English Honors Society (NEHS) of Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS) has a program called Debate Mentorship. This is where students on the Varsity Debate team take a trip to the middle school campus to coach the younger generation.
This year, the two students of the program are juniors Martin Petkov and Finn Phelps-Crossman. After school, they head over to Jennifer Carson’s debate class for seventh and eighth graders, where they teach them various skills to strengthen their cases.
“The skills vary every year depending on the needs of my students,” says Carson. “This year, Martin and Finn have been teaching them how to structure an argument using a chain of reasoning.”
These sessions aim to try and pinpoint the weaknesses of the students so that their overall skill level will go up. This prepares them for debate if they decide to take it in high school and even helps them reason outside of debate in their normal lives.
When asked if she has seen any improvement in their abilities, Carson exclaims, “Without question!” She continues with, “From their first debate to their second, we could already see stronger evidence being used and an improved ability to explain the impact of that evidence.”
The sessions are not only helpful but also enjoyable for the students. When they are mentored by students who are closer in age to them, they feel more connected to the lessons.
“When I say something to my kids, it’s the ‘old lady teacher’ talking,” Carson mentions. “When a high schooler says it, there is clout.” She explains that activities involving movement are always a hit. “[The students are] physically engaged in academic play—it’s fun for us all.”
This growth was not only exciting for the younger kids but also for the tutors. They feel accomplished when the students learn a new skill and put it to use, seeing their hard work pay off.
“I really like helping young students develop a love for debate,” Petkov emphasizes. “When I see their progress, it makes me proud of them.”
Reflecting on her students’ work, Carson states, “This mentorship program is truly a gift. I’ve seen these incredible young men become excited to bring debate to a new crop of students and show them the power of peer mentorship.”
These young men aren’t just helping middle schoolers strengthen their debate skills—they’re shaping how students view debate and may even be inspiring some to pursue it in the future.
