Assistant Coach for Public Forum Debate

Durham Academy is an independent day school located in Durham, North Carolina educating students in preschool through grade 12. 

DA Speech and Debate is a full-service program, working with students from 5th to 12th grade in one or more of the following areas: Lincoln-Douglas debate, Public Forum debate, Congressional Debate, interpretation events, platform events, and/or limited prep events.

The Assistant Coach for Public Forum Debate is pivotal in preparing our students for competitive debate competitions while honing their communication and critical thinking skills. The Assistant Coach for Public Forum Debate will work closely with our Director and Assistant Director of Speech and Debate, by facilitating practice sessions, offering constructive feedback, traveling to competitions, and creating a supportive learning environment for our students.

We are seeking candidates local to the Raleigh-Durham area.

An ideal candidate would have the following qualities:

• Eagerness to build supportive relationships with students in and beyond the classroom

• A willingness to try innovative teaching and coaching strategies

• Cultural competence with a desire to create and promote an inclusive learning environment

• Expertise in communication skills 

• Experience in competitive debate as a competitor; while experience in coaching is preferred for this role, it is not a requirement for the position. 

The job responsibilities for the position include: 

• Assist in running Upper School Speech & Debate practices for Public Forum Debate 

• Work after school to coordinate practices and support competitive students

• Chaperone and judge at Speech & Debate competitions on weekends to support our competitive students

• Provide weekly office hours with students to prepare for upcoming competitions on the local, regional, and national level 

• Provide detailed feedback and suggestions for improvement during practice sessions and competitions, and empower students to refine their performances.

• Guide students in mastering essential public speaking techniques such as delivery, articulation, and body language through engaging practice activities.

When applying to this position, please include:

Cover Letter

Resume

A list of three references with contact information

Durham Academy Teachers

• Are culturally competent and believe in the central importance of diversity and equity in the life of the school.

• Model a student-centered approach to teaching in an active classroom. 

• Possess a command of pedagogical best practices, eagerly seek feedback on all aspects of their professional life, and are committed to lifelong professional growth.

• Collaborate authentically and actively while building and maintaining collegial relationships with colleagues.

• Are eager to build supportive relationships with students, successful partnerships with parents/caregivers and participate actively in the life of the school beyond the classroom.

• Understand that student wellness is central to the student learning experience.

• Use technology thoughtfully and creatively to enhance teaching and learning.

• Innovate and experiment to discover the most compelling learning experiences for students.

Our School

Founded in 1933, Durham Academy is an all-gender, independent day school with 1,267 students in Pre-kindergarten through grade 12 on three campuses. The purpose of a Durham Academy education is to prepare each student to live a moral, happy and productive life. DA’s Strategic Vision commits to preparing students for life, meeting the needs of our learners and innovating more boldly, with a foundation broadening and deepening our work with diversity, equity and engagement. DA is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). DA is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). 

Diversity, Equity and Engagement Mission Statement
Diversity enlivens, improves and enriches the intellectual and social environment of an academic community and encompasses all aspects of humanity including racial identity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, age and gender identity. We are committed to an ongoing process to increase the diversity of our community and to implement policies, programs and practices under which all members of our community feel welcomed, empowered, responsible and safe. Amidst our diversity we stand united in the pursuit of academic excellence and development of individual capabilities. Find out more about DA’s commitment to diversity, equity and engagement here.

(Adopted by the Durham Academy Board of Trustees in 2004 and updated in 2008)

Our Employment Policy

Durham Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.