Speech & Debate Advisor

Speech & Debate Advisor (Lead)

We invite you to explore a career with Natick Public Schools.

The Natick Public Schools educate approximately 5,300 students from Pre‑K through age 22. We are an innovative, supportive, and high‑performing district whose outstanding staff provides high quality services for our diverse students and their families from Natick and Boston. Natick Public Schools is a community dedicated to all students achieving high standards in a safe, trusting, respectful environment where learning is exciting, dynamic, and engaging, and where connectedness and belonging are valued and actively cultivated.

We are home to families that speak almost 60 different languages and our student population is approximately 29% Students of Color and 71% White students. With a graduation rate of 97% and 90% of our students attending post‑secondary schools, we are proud of our commitment to excellence in educating students to be informed and successful citizens of a global world.

We enthusiastically welcome educators to our district who seek and thrive in a diverse environment that focuses on the whole child in a strengths‑based approach. Please partner with us in our mission to support the diversity of our school community, promote and deliver equitable practices for all of our staff, students, and families, and create meaningful connections that enable everyone to feel included and thrive.

The Speech & Debate Team Lead Advisor provides overall leadership, instruction, and program oversight for the school’s Speech & Debate Team in alignment with NSDA rules, competition standards, and educational goals. The Lead Advisor is responsible for student development in public speaking, critical thinking, research, and ethical argumentation while ensuring compliance with NSDA membership, tournament participation requirements, and school policies.

• Education:
  
  High School graduate or GED required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Professional Certification: MA Teaching Licensure & experience with National Speech and Debate competitions preferred.
• Specialized Knowledge:
  • Solid foundation in student-centered coaching.
  • Knowledge of the developmental needs of adolescents.
  • Understanding of theories and methodologies for coaching adolescents.
  • Understanding of the academic, social, and emotional needs of adolescents.
  • Understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
• Preferred Experience:
  • Experience coaching in a diverse public school preferred but not required.
  • Experience working with students with disabilities/special abilities preferred.
  • Experience working with students who are English language learners preferred.
  • Experience with Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Classroom, etc.) and Power School preferred, but will train the right candidate.
• Skills:
  • Demonstrated aptitude for work to be performed.
  • Ability to create a welcoming team environment for students.
  • Ability to coach and support students in improving their individual and team skills.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills.
  • Candidates should have a passion for working with students, families, and colleagues.
  • Candidates must be flexible and collaborative.
  • Candidates must be able to multitask in a fast‑paced, supportive environment that nurtures student growth.
  • Candidates must be organized and able to meet ongoing, time-sensitive deadlines for work production.

Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Principal may find appropriate and in conformity with state certification requirements.

• Program Leadership & Instruction:
  • Serve as the primary instructional leader for the Speech & Debate Team, consistent with the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) event standards and ethical guidelines.
  • Design and implement a comprehensive instructional plan covering speech events, debate formats, research skills, and performance techniques.
  • Coach students in NSDA-recognized events (e.g., Public Forum, Lincoln‑Douglas, Policy, Congressional Debate, Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, etc.).
  • Foster a…