Debate Faculty Member & Head Debate Coach(Public Forum), Upper School

The Nueva School
Debate Faculty Member & Head Debate Coach(Public Forum), Upper School (.75–1.0 FTE)
Starting July 1, 2026

Position Summary

The Nueva School seeks an accomplished and intellectually engaged Debate Faculty member (Public Forum) to lead and further develop its Upper School debate program. This role sits at the intersection of academic instruction and competitive forensics and is ideal for an educator committed to cultivating students’ analytical reasoning, rhetorical precision, and intellectual independence.

The successful candidate will bring significant experience in Public Forum debate, along with familiarity in at least one additional format (Parliamentary, Worlds, or Speech). In collaboration with the Director of Forensics and assistant coaches, this faculty member will guide a program serving students across a wide spectrum, from first-time debaters to nationally competitive participants.

At Nueva, debate is both a discipline and a developmental practice. We seek a candidate who values rigorous inquiry, evidence-based argumentation, and the ethical dimensions of discourse, and who is equally invested in student growth, mentorship, and building an inclusive intellectual community.

Core Responsibilities

• Coaching & Practice Leadership: Lead a high-functioning Public Forum program, including designing and facilitating engaging after-school practices (typically twice weekly). Support foundational skill development for newer students while advancing strategy and performance for experienced competitors. Guide and coordinate assistant coaches in executing drills and exercises.
• Tournament Coaching & Student Supervision: Coach and chaperone students at approximately 10–12 tournaments annually (local, travel, and virtual). Ensure student safety, adherence to school guidelines, and competitive readiness. Contribute to Nueva-hosted tournaments.
• Teaching & Academic Instruction: Teach a year-long Upper School debate course within the academic day, including curriculum design, lesson planning, and assessment. Integrate debate pedagogy with academic rigor to foster critical thinking, research, and communication skills.
• Curriculum Design & Program Development: Plan and implement monthly progressions of lessons and drills across class and practice settings. Align instructional approaches across coaching staff to ensure consistency and coherence.
• Student Support & Collaboration: Partner with the Parliamentary Head Coach, assistant coaches, and administration to support student needs and navigate challenges. Maintain a student-centered, relational approach to mentorship.
• Coaching Staff Leadership & Development: Train, mentor, and support junior coaches. Foster a collaborative coaching culture aligned with program goals.
• Program Alignment & Cross-Divisional Collaboration: Collaborate across divisions to build a unified, developmentally aligned program. Partner with the Middle School debate to ensure continuity and progression.
• Program Operations & Communication: Manage tournament planning, logistics, and communication with students and families. Identify challenges proactively and collaborate with the Director of Forensics on solutions.
• Culture & Equity Leadership: Cultivate a team culture that is inclusive, dynamic, and equitable. Actively address bias within competitive debate spaces to ensure all students can participate and thrive.
• Recruitment & Program Growth: Support student recruitment and clearly communicate program expectations. Assist in identifying and onboarding junior coaches.
• Summer Program Leadership: Contribute to Nueva’s summer debate program, including staffing, curriculum development, teaching/coaching, and daily operations.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• Significant experience in secondary and/or collegiate debate
• Minimum of five years of post-collegiate coaching or teaching experience
• Deep expertise in Public Forum debate

Preferred

• Experience in additional formats (Parliamentary, Worlds, Speech)
• Experience teaching in academically rigorous secondary school environments
• Familiarity with independent school culture

Core Attributes

• Intellectual curiosity and commitment to academic excellence
• Strong pedagogical instincts and ability to translate complex ideas into accessible instruction
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Reflective, inclusive approach to teaching and mentorship
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and ethical debate practice

Compensation

The full-time salary range for this faculty position is $80,800-$166,000. The starting salary is based on, but not limited to, several factors, including type and years of creditable experience, education level, and expertise.

We offer a full benefits package that includes fully paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees; employer contribution toward dependent insurance premiums; a generous match on our 403(b) retirement plan; long-term and short-term disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; and free lunch. Eligibility rules apply.

To Apply

Please submit your application information - cover letter describing your interest and preparedness for the position, a resume documenting your relevant experience and expertise, and contact information for three professional references including an explanation of your relationship - to the Nueva Employment Website.  To address specific questions, please email Liza Raynal, at lraynal@nuevaschool.org.

The Nueva School is an Equal Opportunity Employer – we do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability or sex. We welcome applications from people of color and those with experience outside the education field. 

About The Nueva School

The Nueva School, an internationally-recognized, nonprofit, independent day school, has served gifted and talented students since 1967. Today, Nueva serves nearly 1000 students PK-12. Nueva is located in the neighboring towns of Hillsborough and San Mateo, equidistant between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, serving six different counties throughout the Bay Area of Northern California.

A constructivist school, Nueva is known for its distinctive inquiry-based interdisciplinary studies, project-based learning, and pioneering work in social-emotional learning and design thinking. The Nueva community instills a passion for lifelong learning, fosters social and emotional acuity, and develops the imaginative mind. Our school has received the US Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Award, the US Department of Education National Green Ribbon Award, and the American Institute of Architects Award for School Design and Sustainability; has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program and appointed an Ashoka Changemaker School; co-founded the Common Ground Speaker Series; hosts the biennial Innovative Learning Conference, and was highlighted by the Pulitzer Prize–winning and New York Times best-selling author Thomas Friedman in his book That Used to Be Us in the chapter “Average Is Over.”

For more information about The Nueva School, visit our website: www.nuevaschool.org

Salary : $80,800 - $166,000