The IDEA program at Queen Alexandra Elementary (QA) in Vancouver, B.C., is an innovative initiative designed to increase student engagement by training cohorts of teachers to incorporate debate into their curriculum and pedagogy. The program provides QA teachers with a comprehensive framework that integrates debate as a tool for empower students to engage in critical thinking and communication.

Through a series of engaging professional development workshops, QA teachers are introduced to structured debate techniques and strategies tailored to various subjects such as social studies, language arts, math and science. The training emphasizes not only the art of persuasive argumentation but also the cultivation of a supportive learning environment where diverse viewpoints are encouraged and respected. QA teachers learn to design lesson plans that weave debate naturally into the curriculum, thereby fostering a classroom culture of inquiry and reflection.

By integrating debate, QA teachers are equipped to mentor students in developing self-advocacy, and essential soft skills like collaboration, empathy, and problem-solving. This approach not only boosts academic engagement but also prepares students to participate actively and responsibly in civic life. Overall, the IDEA initiative at QA represents a forward-thinking model of education tailored to the needs of a specific community of students and parents, setting a benchmark for innovative teaching practices in Vancouver Eastside.