HS Writing Center Coordinator and Public Forum Debate Coach 25-26

Grace Church School; New York (NY); On-site; USD 68,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in education seeks a passionate educator to join their dynamic team. This role involves managing a Writing Center and coaching the high school debate team, fostering a culture of inquiry-driven learning. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in public forum debate and teaching, with a commitment to creating an inclusive and engaging environment for students. This position offers the opportunity to inspire young minds while contributing to a vibrant academic community that values joy and curiosity in learning.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of competitive public forum debate experience required.
• Strong classroom management and communication skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Writing Center and oversee its operations.
• Coach the high school debate team and lead practices.

Skills

Classroom Management

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Public Forum Debate Skills

Curriculum Design

Teaching Experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's or Doctorate Degree

Tools

Writing Center Management

Debate Coaching

Job description

About Grace

Grace Church School is a JK–12, independent school located on two nearby campuses in downtown New York City. An Episcopal school, welcoming children of all faiths and of none, Grace believes in the inherent, precious dignity of every individual and seeks to provide an outstanding education worthy of our common humanity.

Grace is a school of big ideas, and our structured curriculum promotes academic excellence through a pedagogy of joy: an approach that reflects our belief that joy is the fuel of academic achievement, and that students learn best when motivated by delight, wonder, curiosity, and purpose. We work hard to nurture a culture of dignity and belonging, and we seek to foster in each student skills of intellectual excellence and habits of ethical virtue. Grounded in tradition, the school remains ever open to innovation, looking to the best research on the science of learning and the craft of teaching to advance the timeless values and aspirations of our mission. In the high school division, students are challenged to reach their full potential, ask essential questions, and wrestle with complex ideas, working to solve real-world problems, and participate in the interconnected global community.

Requirements

Faculty must be academically prepared and highly effective at teaching and designing curriculum for a rotating block course schedule of three 80-minute periods per six-day cycle, along with a weekly tutorial period for additional individual or small group instruction. Faculty must be adept at using technology for teaching and learning, and supporting students.

In addition to teaching their core academic classes, all faculty teach in our Lab Studies program, focused on inquiry-driven, project-based, experiential real-world learning. Alternatively, qualified faculty teach World Religions or Introduction to Philosophy. Based on interest, background, and need, there is also an opportunity to serve as an advisor to a small advisory group that meets daily. Advisors are responsible for supporting, advising, and mentoring students through their four years of high school, helping them to understand themselves as learners and to lead their fall and spring family conferences, and to contribute to student life and the school community.

We work in a team-based structure with a high level of communication and collegiality. Active participation in a faculty culture of continuous learning, professional development, and intellectual growth is expected and supported. Opportunities are available to coach, direct, and lead activities in the extracurricular program, in which all students are encouraged to participate.

HS Writing Center Coordinator (75% of FTE)

• Work with students on their writing across the curriculum and manage the 9-12th grade Writing Center; oversee all administrative aspects of the Writing Center, including any necessary budgeting, hiring and supervising staff, managing payroll, and liaising with various constituents (e.g. faculty, families, students) in consultation with the head of the high school.
• Support appropriate coverage for absent humanities teachers by Writing Center consultants, in collaboration with the Substitute Coordinator.
• Develop the high school’s literary culture and programming.
• Design and teach two semester-long writing courses, such as the Art of Criticism and Speculative Fiction.
• Serve as an advisor for 10-12 students in the Advisory Program.
• Teach three sections of lab studies courses each year.
• Collaborate with Department Chairs, Math/Science Center Coordinator and Learning Support Department to ensure student supports are cohesive across the school.

Public Forum Debate Coach (25% of FTE)

Grace Church School is seeking a Public Forum Head Debate Coach to lead the high school debate team. The position averages two hours per week to host practices before school to teach students public forum skills for debate tournaments and discuss topics, strategies and argumentation for both novice and varsity students. Tournaments are held roughly two or three times monthly, through local leagues such as the New York Catholic Forensic League, the New York State Forensic League, American Debate League and Manhattan Debate League, and national leagues such as the National Speech and Debate Association, with a few additional invitational tournaments hosted by high schools or colleges. The ideal candidate will have previous experience coaching or teaching, a strong familiarity with public forum debate, a strong connection to the debate community and a passion for developing debate opportunities for students.

The Public Forum Head Debate Coach will perform the following duties:

• Run two weekly practices with students, from 8-8:55am.
• Create materials to teach students debate skills.
• Communicate with students and families to encourage tournament attendance.
• Create a full schedule of tournaments at the beginning of the school year.
• Register students for tournaments, including overnight trips, as needed.
• Arrange travel and accommodations, as needed, while ensuring appropriate coverage at tournaments, including faculty chaperones for overnight trips.
• Attend, coach, and support students at tournaments.
• Judge tournaments.
• Secure and train parent judges, as needed.

Desired Skills:

• 2+ years of previous competitive debate experience (in public forum).
• 2+ years of experience coaching debate or teaching.
• Enthusiasm to work with students.
• Ability to manage dynamic classroom environments.
• Strong classroom management skills.
• Ability to create a welcoming and fun classroom environment.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Interest in teaching journalism and/or coordinating the Writing Center a plus.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have over two years of competitive public forum debate experience and at least two years of coaching or teaching experience. A bachelor’s degree is required, and an advanced degree (master’s or doctorate) is preferred. They should bring strong classroom management skills, the ability to create a dynamic and welcoming learning environment, and a genuine enthusiasm for working with students. Excellent organizational and communication skills are essential. The candidate should also have direct experience working in a writing center and with all aspects of writing instruction, and ideally be a practicing writer.

Compensation

This is a full-time faculty position with an expected base salary of $68,000–$155,040 commensurate with education and experience.

Grace Church School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that equity and inclusion are not only hallmarks of a just society, but also virtues essential to sound learning. Our commitment to antiracism, equity, and belonging calls on all faculty members to promote a culture of dignity and belonging for everyone at Grace by recognizing and honoring the unique gifts of its students, families, faculty, and staff. We encourage applications from candidates with broad and diverse backgrounds and from individuals of all races, nationalities, identities, and religious and non-religious traditions, and beliefs.

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume through our school website.