Listen up: Debating, listening, and losing as told by Jenny Yim

“Having people that you know are always going to be there, that are just as equally competitive as you are, and are going to invest just as much time as you are — I think that’s what makes the ASAP Debate community strong.”

–Jenny Yim, ASAP Debate Alum

Meet Jenny Yim!

Jenny is a former Northeast High School ASAP debater and is currently undergoing what we like to call a full circle, ASAP moment: Jenny is now both a teacher AND assistant debate coach to her former debate coach, Theresa Bramwell at her alma mater. Teaching fell into Jenny’s lap after completing her post-secondary education at Temple University and Moore College of Art & Design. When she thought about adding “after school” to her resume, choosing a program was simple.

“I was in a lot of clubs at Northeast, but when I started working here, I thought ‘the only after school program I would really like helping out in would be ASAP Debate.’”
–Jenny

Jenny knew firsthand the impact of ASAP Debate and jumped at the chance to open those doors for her students. In fact, she attributes a lot of her own academic success to her time spent debating.

“When I studied art, education, and criminal justice I learned that because of my debate experience in researching, I could handle a lot of information a lot quicker than others. Finding strong information and then being able to explain it in a comprehensive way – that’s all debate.”
–Jenny

Now as a coach, Jenny can mentor her students based on her own experience and passion for competing.

“A judge once told me ‘you’re just saying a lot of information; you’re not talking TO each other, you’re talking AT each other.’ It really showed me that debate isn’t just about arguing your point. It’s about being able to listen. We have to be able to listen. I think a lot of debaters in general, because we’re young, we aren’t listening.”
–Jenny

While listening may seem like a simple enough skill, the ability to listen can make or break the match outcome. And perhaps even more importantly, it’s a huge factor in ensuring our children become informed, active citizens of their community.

“Listening. Being able to think. Doing your own research and communicating clearly. Debating really formulates your own autonomy on the way you think. Especially when you’re researching and have to argue both sides even if you personally don’t agree with one of them. Debate helps you develop your own ideals better, your own view better, and also be able to see different perspectives.”
–Jenny

At the end of the day, Jenny is less concerned with her students winning or losing than with helping them see the lesson in every match.

“I became very used to accepting a loss, just the same as I accepted a win. To me, they are equally fine outcomes. It’s just that what I learned from losing is often more important. I like directing students towards that behavior– to get used to losing, or how to think under pressure when you’re nervous.”
–Jenny

What’s Coach Jenny up to now?

What has Jenny and Northeast been up to recently? Her students competed in the ASAP Debate High School League Finals on April 3rd and Coach Bramwell won High School Debate Coach of the Year!

Read April Blog Spotlight

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