The Debate That Changed How I Teach
One classroom debate completely changed how Leo thought about teaching. In this conversation, he explains why helping students think critically is often more important than helping them find the "right" answer.
7/18/2026
🧠As teachers, it's easy to believe our job is to provide answers.
We explain concepts, teach skills, and help students understand difficult topics. But during my conversation with Leo, he shared a story that reminded me that some of the best learning happens when students leave class with more questions than answers.
Leo teaches history in Southern California and recently tried something he had wanted to do for years: a classroom debate. His students debated whether the United States should have dropped the atomic bomb during World War II. It wasn't a simple topic, and that was exactly the point.
💡 For weeks leading up to the debate, students studied the history, examined evidence, and learned about the different perspectives surrounding the decision. Then they researched independently, built arguments, and defended their positions. Some students argued that dropping the bomb saved lives by ending the war sooner. Others argued that alternative options may have existed.
What impressed Leo most wasn't which side won.
It was how deeply students thought about the issue.
🎯 At one point, students began bringing in evidence that wasn't even covered during class instruction. They researched on their own, formed original arguments, and challenged each other's ideas respectfully. That's when Leo knew something special was happening. The students weren't simply repeating information. They were learning how to think critically.
🔥 That's the lesson I took away from this conversation.
The goal of education isn't to tell students what to think.
The goal is to teach them how to think.
When students learn to ask questions, evaluate evidence, and consider different perspectives, they're developing skills that will serve them long after they leave our classrooms.
🎥 Want to hear Leo's full story and learn more about the debate that changed his teaching?
Watch the full interview here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ihnHdz-8BI&list=UULFQOIbqNhb_gseSVU6bE3uUA