FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL
Dr. David Peterson has been active in the study of and practice of critical thinking education for almost 20 years. David brings together his experiences as a globally recognized debate coach, scholar, and educator, along with the cutting-edge insights of recent education research in his innovative approach to teaching and learning.
As a young freshman engineering major seeking to better understand the world around him, David made a fateful decision to join his university debate team.
David became one of the top university debaters in the United States; more importantly, he developed a love and passion for teaching and learning through discussion, dialogue, and debate. David has worked with children and adults around the world in the practice of debate, public speaking, and critical thinking for nearly 20 years.
David has been in China since 2012 and has had the good fortune to work with the very best middle and high school students in Shanghai, leading them to significant achievements on the international stage. Among the accomplishments of David’s students are winning multiple China National Championships, USA National Championships, and even the World Schools Debate Championships.
Before coming to Shanghai, David earned a Ph.D. in Sociology and Critical Theory from the University of California, Irvine. There he had the opportunity to work with some of the foremost experts on education, critical thinking, and philosophy. David brings the essential insights of a lifetime of learning to his practice of teaching.