A good elementary school teacher can thrive in this kind of environment, turning the disobedient into model children. Of course, a middle or high school teacher would make an excellent moderator as well — they’re used to dealing with unruly, self-absorbed know-it-alls on a daily basis — but there’s just something about the elementary school teacher. As a kid, you want to make them proud, and to recognize your achievements. At the same time, they want the best for you — and in order to make sure you can learn everything possible, they suffer no fools.
During a teacher-moderated debate, the ground rules would be set in the beginning (explained in that teacher voice we all know so well) and strictly followed: Rock, Paper, Scissors decides who gets to speak first. Stay on topic. If you interrupt or talk over the other person, your name will go up on a white board. Every following infraction will incur a check mark next to your name. Three or more, you’ll be removed from the stage. When the candidates start raising their voices or getting heated, the moderator will clap her hands in a pattern, and they have to clap back. This is a classic teacher move, meant to distract kids from what they’re doing and bring them back to attention. If they don’t clap back, it’s a check on the white board.
The moderator would offer plenty of positive praise as well — “I like the way Donald is sitting up straight in his chair.” “I like how Hillary waited for Donald to finish his answer before responding.” For every question they actually answer on the first try, they’ll get a sticker. If they get five stickers, they can go to the treasure box and pick out one of those cool pens with six different colored inks, or a “Make America Great Again” hat.
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