Como parte de nuestro programa de Debate en Español, Boston Debate League (BDL) trabaja con docenas de voluntarios hispano hablantes cada año para asegurar que los estudiantes latinx tengan las mismas oportunidades para debatir que sus compañeros. Nuestros voluntarios comparten su tiempo y talentos asegurando que los jóvenes latinx tengan acceso a los beneficios transformativos del debate y afirman que ellos tienen ideas importantes y valiosas para contribuir a la sociedad.
Los jueces voluntarios estarán presentes en turnos de 4-5 horas, y cada turno cubre dos o tres debates. La mayoría de los torneos tendrán lugar los viernes y sábados. Los voluntarios que se integran por primera vez deben ver un breve vídeo antes de su turno y asistir a una formación presencial incluida en su turno de voluntariado. Los voluntarios nos dicen con que se sienten más seguros y conectados cuando hacen tres turnos por temporada, pero podemos adaptarnos a casi cualquier nivel de compromiso.
In 2021, Kim Willingham was named Executive Director – the first woman and first Black leader – of the Boston Debate League. Before being named ED, Kim served as the BDL’s Director of Culture and Engagement and prior to that as an Instructional Coach on the Debate-Inspired Classrooms team. Throughout her 20+ years in education, Kim has held multiple leadership positions. She began her career as a Teach for America Corps Member in the Crescent City – New Orleans, LA – where she taught 6th grade ELA and Social Studies. Kim earned an EdM from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a BS from Eastern Michigan University. Her experience also includes several years in school leadership and education consulting. Originally from the Motor City, she now resides in Dorchester with her two children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time in nature. Kim is grateful for the joy she gets to experience daily working with the students, teachers, volunteers, and staff of the BDL community.