Debate Coach

The Nueva School•San Mateo, CA

14h•$30 - $52•Hybrid

About The Position

The Debate Assistant Coach supports Nueva’s nationally recognized speech and debate program by coaching and mentoring students in research, public speaking, critical thinking, and competitive debate. The coach leads and supports practices, provides individualized feedback, attends tournaments, and helps foster an inclusive, intellectually rigorous learning environment. The ideal candidate has experience competing in and/or coaching debate and is passionate about student growth, leadership development, and ethical discourse. Successful candidates demonstrate strong communication skills, flexibility, and a commitment to Nueva’s mission and values. Nueva seeks assistant coaches for its award-winning debate program, which prioritizes student agency and exploration in debate. A successful candidate will have experience competing in and/or coaching in Parliamentary, Public Forum, World Schools, Lincoln-Douglas, or Policy Debate. Key skills and attributes include flexibility, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to navigate an environment in which students are treated as intellectual peers while maintaining appropriate social and emotional boundaries. At Nueva, debate is both a discipline and a developmental practice. The candidate should value rigorous inquiry, evidence-based argumentation, and the ethical dimensions of discourse, and be equally invested in student growth, mentorship, and building an inclusive intellectual community.

Requirements

Meets at least one of the following: Two or more years of competitive experience in high school and/or college, Parliamentary, Public Forum, World Schools, Lincoln Douglas, or Policy Debate
One or more years of coaching experience in middle, high school, and/or college Parliamentary, Public Forum, World Schools, Lincoln Douglas, or Policy Debate
Virtual or in-person availability on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons
Demonstrable record of appropriate interactions with minors in extracurricular settings

Nice To Haves

High school competitive success (major invitational wins; TOC, State, or National qualification) in Parliamentary, Public Forum, World Schools, Lincoln Douglas, or Policy Debate
Ability to be physically on site at the upper and/or middle school during debate practice times
Prior experience working with students in tournament settings, especially lengthy local invitationals or travel events.
Excited about supporting gifted students
Committed to equity and inclusion
Eager to grow your skill within a collaborative community
Applicants who represent the full diversity of our community in the Bay Area
Deep appreciation for the diverse socioeconomic, racial, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, academic, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community.

Responsibilities

Attend after-school debate practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays and lead teaching breakouts or judge practice rounds.
Assist the event director with practice planning and/or lead curriculum planning for event subgroups.
Schedule office hours with students before key tournaments.
Review and edit research and case materials produced by students.
Work with the event director or director of forensics to identify students for leadership positions or supplemental support.
Attend virtual and in-person debate tournaments and provide judging and coaching support, including scouting opponents and giving round feedback.
Act as a supporting chaperone during travel events by helping to organize food options, transporting students between sites, and supervising evening preparation activities as needed.
Complete job-appropriate training as assigned by HR or supervisor.
Attend and contribute to team-wide trainings and discussions on equity and inclusion.
Model the highest standards of ethical decision-making and inclusion in teaching, coaching, and judging.
Support Nueva’s Mission II by engaging in collaboration with coaches at other institutions to broaden access to speech and debate.
Other duties as assigned.