Details and Benefits of our Volunteer Coaching Program

Picture from 2008 PDI

Through a large network of experienced educators, Perspectives provides teams of 1-3 volunteers to Philadelphia area schools. The program is typically run one or two days a week after school hours for 1-2 hours. The educational format is a combination of lectures, interactive discussion, one on one assistance and small group sessions.

Perspectives covers the costs of all educational material (handouts, food, etc.) as well as transportation costs for volunteers. Schools or organizations that begin programs with Perspectives volunteers will incur no costs from volunteer support.

Benefits

  1. Experienced Educators: All Perspectives volunteers have years of experience in either high school or collegiate debate. Many are former competitors in the activity and have transitioned to the role of coach by either teaching debate at summer institutes, coaching debate programs at other schools or helping organize debate activities on college campuses. As well, every Perspectives volunteer is required to go through a training session that prepares them for how to effectively communicate material along with preparation for different pedagogical practices that fit individual student needs.
  2. Well-Developed Curriculum: At the start of the semester, Perspectives volunteers are given a structured curriculum to employ in the debate education of students. The curriculum eases students into the concept of debate and integrates fundamental concepts in a logical manner that both interests students and achieves the educational goals.
  3. School Control: At all times, Perspectives works from the standpoint that it is an organization assisting a school program rather than the school assisting a Perspectives program. The long term ideal for each program is to institutionalize debate programs to such an extent that Perspectives volunteers are no longer needed and the school program can function on its own thanks to the leadership of students and involvement of faculty sponsors. To that end, Perspectives volunteers seek to assist students and faculty in their understanding of debate as an activity. The direction of program goals are not determined solely by Perspectives, but by a combination of Perspectives and school representatives to reach the common end of successful education.
  4. Supportive Relationships: Perspectives volunteers are not in schools from self-interested motivation. The purpose at all times for Perspectives volunteers is to support the students at each school program. To that end, volunteers visit schools once a week and remain involved with the same school program to form meaningful connection with students that will have a positive impact in the lives of both the students and volunteers.

Afterschool Programming