Peter Ebanja Besumbu

My lessons feel more like guided conversations than lectures. I teach at Christ The King College, and I’ve served as a pastor and counselor for over 15 years. That blend shapes how I work with students, especially ages 14–20.

Teaching Methods
I use three core methods: practice, real-life, reflection. We don’t just talk about emotional regulation — we practice it. Breathing drills, pause-and-name exercises, and role-plays of real conflicts they face. For critical thinking, I use “everyone has a point” debates. Students defend a view, then argue the opposite. It builds empathy and sharp thinking. As a counselor, I know growth happens in safety, so I set clear respect rules and keep the space confidential.

Content
We cover four pillars: 1) Self-awareness — naming feelings, triggers, values; 2) Self-management — stress, anger, anxiety tools they can use in class or at home; 3) Thinking skills — spotting bias, checking sources, making wise decisions; 4) Life application — money, relationships, faith, future choices. Lessons are rooted in Child Development principles from my Certificate in Family Services, and real scenarios students bring each week.

Lesson Dynamics
No one sleeps in my class. We move. Short teaching, then partners, small groups, or whole-room challenges. I ask, they share, we test. I use stories — from Scripture, school life, or my counseling room — because story sticks. Mistakes are expected. I tell students: “We’re not here to be perfect. We’re here to practice.”

Experience
Fifteen years as a pastor taught me to listen before I speak. Ten years counseling students taught me that teens don’t need more lectures; they need tools and trust. At Christ The King College, I see walls come down when a young person realizes they can manage their own mind. That’s the win: calm, clarity, and confident choices they carry outside my classroom.