Debate Advisor 2026-27 - Interlake High School

Position Purpose

The position of Debate Advisor is responsible to serve as an advisor to the High School Debate Club.

Commitment To Equity

The Bellevue School District is committed to a diverse workforce representative of our students, one that embraces and models cultural competency as an international community.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: (These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)

• Coordinate approval of team activities with the School Administration and its Activities Director.
• Provide championship caliber skills training in the areas of:
• Argumentation/Logic Rhetoric;
• Oration/Public Speaking;
• Critical Thinking;
• Interpretation of Literature;
• Current Events Analysis;
• Creative Writing;
• Theatrical Performance; Improvisation.
• Train students for competition in the 14 standard Forensics events in Washington State and NFL contests:
• Interpretation: Humorous, Dramatic, Dual, Interp
• Reading Improvisation: Extemporaneous (Foreign and Domestic), Impromptu Oration: Oratory, Expository, Editoral
• Commentary Argumentation: Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, Cross-Examination, and Congressional styles.
• Develop students' research skills and perform ad hoc research to ensure team preparation.
• Oversee the student mentoring program: Students mentor other students to achieve success.
• Conduct practices nightly to train the team for upcoming events.
• Train parents to serve in judging capacity to meet tournament entry requirements
• Organize transportation, judging, budget, and logistics in support of a team whose membership could easily top 100 students by 2012.
• Assemble tournament rosters and submit entries on time to the league/tournament managers.
• Establish a competition schedule that provides a challenging and rewarding competitive environment while meeting budget parameters. Forensics season runs September to April (June if Nationals-qualified).
• Manage the accounting of team performance points through accurate record keeping and reporting to NFL National Headquarters.
• Conduct fund-raising activities as needed to support team activities.
• Serve on league and state committees as required.
• Establish working relationships with program advisors in the feeder middle schools to ensure a high quality freshman talent pool.
  
  

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to and is directly supervised by the Building Principal.
  
  

Required

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (positions in this class typically require):

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Experience coaching high school speech and debate (Forensics) with at least 2 years as a head coach/director level for a high school Forensics team preferred.
• Demonstrated record of championship-level performances in previous coaching assignments.
• Coach Membership in the National Forensics League (Diamond-level coach preferred).
• Familiarity with debate theory, public policy strategies and classical/modern philosophy.
  
  

Physical Requirements

Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

May work outdoors in inclement weather. May require physical mobility to move through a school campus, including up and down stairs and inside and outside.

Conditions Of Employment

This is a temporary hourly position with no benefits. Hourly rate $27.57/hour. Months, days and hours may vary depending upon assignment.

Note

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

Verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States must be completed. The District does not currently provide visa sponsorship. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of background checks with prior employers/professional references; satisfactory outcome of a criminal history background check (includes fingerprinting); satisfactory outcome of sexual misconduct information from prior school district employers; and approval by the Bellevue School Board.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Bellevue School District Does Not Discriminate In Any Programs Or Activities On The Basis Of Sex, Race, Ethnicity, Creed, Religion, Color, National Origin, Age, Honorably Discharged Veteran Or Military Status, Sexual Orientation, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Homelessness, Immigration Or Citizenship Status, The Presence Of Any Sensory, Mental, Or Physical Disability, Neurodivergence, Or The Use Of a Trained Dog Guide Or Service Animal And Provides Equal Access To The Boy Scouts Of America And Other Designated Youth Groups. The Following Employees Have Been Designated To Handle Questions And Complaints Of Alleged Discrimination

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator

Title IX Compliance Coordinator

Gender-Inclusive Schools Compliance Coordinator

Name: Nancy Pham, Director of Compliance and Legal Affairs

Address: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005

Telephone Number: 425-456-4248

Email: phamn@bsd405.org

Section 504/ADA Coordinator

Name: Kerince Bowen, Director of Counseling

Address: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005

Telephone Number: (425) 456-4168

Email: bowenk@bsd405.org

Members of the public with disabilities who have specific concerns about the effectiveness of the District’s communications to them should contact Janine Thorn, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer, at 425-456-4000 or thornj@bsd405.org.