Middle School Academic Challenge Coach 26/27 SY

Northampton Middle School; Machipongo (VA); On-site; USD 3,000 - 5,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend

Job summary

Northampton Middle School is seeking an Academic Challenge Coach for the middle school program for the 26/27 school year. The coach provides leadership, organizes practices, recruits participants, and trains students for academic competitions emphasizing teamwork, quick recall, and sportsmanship.

This supplemental stipend position requires a high school diploma (college coursework preferred) and the ability to supervise students.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework or degree preferred.
• Knowledge of Academic Challenge rules and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with middle school students and foster teamwork.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to supervise students during practices and competitions.
• Must meet all Northampton County Public Schools requirements.

Responsibilities

• Organize and lead the school's Academic Challenge program.
• Recruit eligible students to join the team.
• Conduct regular practices and prepare students for competitions.
• Familiarize students with rules, formats, and strategies.
• Promote academic achievement and sportsmanship.
• Coordinate schedules with administration and communicate with students and families.
• Attend competitions and supervise students.
• Maintain materials and equipment.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

College coursework or degree preferred

Job description

Middle School Academic Challenge Coach 26/27 SY JobID: 443

• Date Posted: 8/14/2026
• Location: Northampton Middle School
• Date Available: 09/01/2026

Academic Challenge Coach - Middle School

Middle School Academic Challenge Coach - Middle School

INTERNAL EMPLOYEES: If you are interested in becoming a coach, please send an email or letter of interest to the building Principal. An application is not necessary.

Pay for Stipend Positions may be found at : Finance Page

Description

The Academic Challenge Coach provides leadership, instruction, organization, and supervision for the middle school Academic Challenge team. The Coach prepares students to participate in academic competitions that promote teamwork, critical thinking, academic knowledge, quick recall, and good sportsmanship.

This position is a supplemental assignment for which a stipend is provided as approved by the School Board.

Reports To

Building Principal or Designee

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework or degree preferred.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, Academic Challenge competition rules, procedures, and expectations.
• Ability to work effectively with middle school students and encourage academic achievement, teamwork, and positive competition.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to supervise students appropriately during practices, competitions, and related activities.
• Must meet all employment, volunteer, background check, and other requirements established by Northampton County Public Schools, as applicable.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Board or Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.

Performance Responsibilities: The Academic Challenge Coach shall:

• Organize, coordinate, and provide leadership for the school's Academic Challenge program.
• Recruit and encourage eligible students to participate in the Academic Challenge team in accordance with school and competition requirements.
• Conduct regular practices and prepare students for Academic Challenge competitions.
• Familiarize students with competition rules, procedures, question formats, time limits, and appropriate competition strategies.
• Provide students with opportunities to strengthen knowledge and skills across a broad range of academic areas, which may include mathematics, science, English/literature, history/social studies, geography, fine arts, current events, and general knowledge.
• Develop students' skills in teamwork, communication, critical thinking, quick recall, decision-making, and appropriate use of competition equipment.
• Establish and communicate expectations for student attendance, preparation, conduct, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
• Determine team participation and competition assignments in accordance with applicable rules and school expectations.
• Coordinate practice and competition schedules with the building administration and communicate schedules and other relevant information to students and parents/guardians.
• Attend and supervise students at scheduled Academic Challenge competitions, tournaments, and other approved activities.
• Ensure appropriate supervision of students before, during, and following practices, competitions, and related activities.
• Maintain Academic Challenge materials, equipment, competition resources, and other program supplies assigned to the team.
• Coordinate with school administration regarding transportation, competition registration, facilities, equipment, and other logistical needs associated with the program.
• Promote a positive team environment that emphasizes academic achievement, inclusion, integrity, respectful competition, and good sportsmanship.
• Maintain appropriate records and documentation related to team participation, schedules, competition results, and other program information as requested by the administration.
• Follow all applicable Northampton County Public Schools policies, regulations, procedures, safety requirements, and competition rules.
• Immediately report student safety concerns, injuries, behavioral concerns, or other significant incidents to the appropriate school administrator.
• Represent the school and school division professionally when interacting with students, families, employees, competition officials, other schools, and members of the community.
• Perform other duties directly related to the Academic Challenge program as assigned by the building principal or designee.

Terms of Assignment

• Assignment: Supplemental/Stipend Position
• Stipend: As approved by the Northampton County School Board
• Duration: Academic Challenge season and/or competition schedule as established by the school division
• Appointment to this supplemental assignment is made on an annual basis and does not create an expectation or guarantee of appointment in subsequent school years.
• The stipend compensates the employee for responsibilities associated with the Academic Challenge Coach assignment in addition to the employee's regular duties, when applicable.

Physical Requirements/Working Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Work may involve exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• Ability to stand and move for extended periods during practices and games (often 1-2 hours or more).
• Capability to demonstrate cheerleading skills, including jumping, clapping, arm movements, and basic stunts.
• Ability to lift or support cheerleaders safely during spotting or stunt practice (up to 25-30 lbs).
• Good physical stamina and coordination to actively participate in drills and routines.
• Ability to respond quickly to emergencies, including bending, kneeling, or crouching to assist injured students.
• Manual dexterity to handle equipment, uniforms, and props as needed.

Evaluation

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the School Board policy on evaluation of personnel.

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performance of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description. Northampton County Public School reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.