Director of Debate and Teacher

ABOUT NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Notre Dame High School, a Catholic, college preparatory school sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross, educates the hearts and minds of students who are diverse in ethnicity, talent, and culture. As a community of faith, Notre Dame strives to form each student – spiritually, intellectually, and socially – to recognize the dignity of all persons and to serve the evolving needs of the world. Notre Dame faculty are expected to be men and women of integrity and able to espouse Catholic, Holy Cross, and Notre Dame mission values that will set a positive example for all students.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

This is a full-time teaching position with co-curricular responsibilities after school and on weekends. The position reports to the Communications Department Chair and the administrative team of the Principal and Vice Principals. This position requires teaching four classes each semester, which may include multiple preps. Teachers are also expected to dedicate time outside regular school hours for essential responsibilities such as grading papers, lesson planning, attending department and faculty meetings, and participating in school-wide events.

Guided by our Holy Cross mission, we believe teaching is not just a job but a vocation. We expect our educators to support students by caring about their well-being both inside and outside the classroom. This includes occasionally attending events such as athletic games, theater productions, or other school-related activities to show encouragement and build community.

Evening and weekend commitments may include Open House events, admissions activities, curriculum nights, and department-specific workshops. Additional responsibilities include assisting with admissions interviews and fulfilling other department-related duties as needed.

The school calendar runs approximately from August to the second week of June each year. Contracted hours are 7:45 A.M. - 3:15 P.M. on Tuesday through Friday, and 7:45 A.M.- 4:15 on Mondays.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Teaching

• Demonstrate passion and expertise in the teaching of analysis and argument with specific experience in teaching debate.
• Review and adjust curriculum in the debate courses in line with current trends in speech and debate as well as relevant English Language Arts and Performing Arts standards.
• Design and deliver culturally responsive and inclusive lessons that reflect the school’s DEI mission and initiatives.
• Willingness to differentiate instruction to reach a range of student learning styles.
• Commitment to engaging students with culturally responsive and inclusive approaches to the curriculum
• Collaborate with colleagues on scope and sequencing, utilizing curriculum maps to ensure both vertical and horizontal alignment; prior experience with curriculum mapping is preferred.
• Participate in school-wide and departmental faculty meetings, and professional growth opportunities held after the school day.
• Engage in the life of the school community through presence at school Masses, assemblies, rallies, class retreats, sporting events, visual and performing arts events, etc. 
• Chaperone and supervisory responsibilities during school day and some evening and weekend events.
• Meet with students and parents as needed, during X period, before and after school. 
• Write college letters of recommendation for students when appropriate.
• Deliver instruction both on campus and occasionally via remote learning.

2. Directing/Coaching: Debate Practices and Tournaments

• Establish a guiding vision for the debate team in line with Notre Dame’s Catholic Holy Cross Mission.
• Supervise and organize curriculum for 2-3 school debate practices each week from 3:15-5:30pm.
• Create an annual competition schedule and plan necessary travel for the team.
• Hire and oversee necessary onboarding paperwork for hired judges and assistant coaches to ensure the team has qualified judges for competitions.
• Update annual team rules and procedures as well as permission slips for events in line with Notre Dame’s school policies.
• Create and manage the budget for the debate program.
• Review assistant coach performances by setting goals in the fall and reviewing with a summative assessment at the end of each year.
• Chaperone, coach, and judge at approximately 18-20 tournaments per year. Out of state travel is required.
• Oversee argument development for local, regional, and national competitions.
• Run a national debate tournament at Notre Dame in November.
• Oversee the curriculum and hiring of instructors for Summer Knights Middle School Debate Camp.
• Supervise student team leadership meetings to build team cohesion and mentorship.
• Conduct 2 online parent meetings each year (one in August and one in May) to review team procedures.
• Organize an end of the year team awards event in May.

• Bachelor's Degree required, graduate degree and teaching credential preferred.

• Prior competitive speech and debate experience in high school and/or college, especially in policy debate.

• Ability to develop and implement an effective and engaging curriculum.

• Ability to relate to high school students and build positive relationships while maintaining healthy boundaries.

• Willingness to collaborate, problem solve and share best practices with colleagues.

• High-level of familiarity and competence across cultures and multiple perspectives.

• Familiarity and competence in technology skills, and desire to keep learning, including competence using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Dropbox, Canvas, Apple TV, and Zoom.

• Proficient in the use of technology in the classroom and willing to incorporate it as a strategy to engage learners.

• Must have excellent classroom management, communication, and organization skills.

• Experience with teaching at a Catholic secondary school is preferred. 

• Familiarity with culturally responsive teaching practices and technology integration in the classroom.

• Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in educational practices aligned with Notre Dame's Holy Cross Catholic mission.

• Experience teaching policy debate at summer debate camps preferred.