Sometimes, the best teacher in the room is the one sitting right next to you.

Some of the best “aha” moments in math don’t come from me, they come from one student explaining it to another.

It was a Grade 9 class on simultaneous equations. We had worked through several examples together, but a few students were still looking at their notebooks like the equations might magically solve themselves.

Instead of explaining it again in my teacher voice, I decided to use one of my favorite strategies:

“Explain it to your friend.”

I paired up students, one who had just solved the problem correctly and one who was still unsure.

I told the “teacher” in each pair:

“Don’t just give the answer, show your friend how you thought about it, step by step.”

The room buzzed with discussion. I saw hand gestures, pencil sketches, and even some made-up analogies. In less than five minutes, several students who were confused had their own lightbulb moments.

When students explain to peers, they use language and examples that make sense to them, sometimes simpler and more relatable than a formal explanation. And the “teacher” in the pair reinforces their own understanding by breaking it down for someone else.

Peer teaching doesn’t replace my role; it strengthens it.

I guide, they connect.

The learning sticks because it’s built on shared understanding.

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