Speech & Debate Advisor (3071)

The Natick Public Schools Seek a

Speech & Debate Advisor (Lead)

Approximate Dates: 2026-2027 SY

Start Date: TBD

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.

Job Title

Speech & Debate Advisor (Lead)

Location

Natick High School

Reports To

Vice Principal of Teaching & Learning

Work days/FTE

2026-2027 school year

Salary/

Benefits

Club and activity stipended position (5.0) per contract with the Education Association of Natick

Benefits Eligible?

No

Profile of a Natick Educator

JOB GOAL: 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

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
• ExperienceExperience with Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Classroom, etc.) and PowerSchool 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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB (not limited to)

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 positive, inclusive team culture that promotes student voice, leadership, and academic integrity.

• Adopt an anti-bias approach to recruiting students, and promote rigor and opportunity for each speech and debate team member.

Competition & NSDA Compliance

• Maintain active NSDA school membership and oversee student registrations, degrees, and points.

• Ensure all competition entries comply with NSDA rules, codes of honor, and tournament procedures.

• Serve as the primary liaison with NSDA, tournament hosts, league officials, and invitational organizers.

• Supervise and attend tournaments, including required judging and chaperoning responsibilities.

Administration & Coordination

• Recruit, train, and supervise Assistant Advisors and parent volunteers as appropriate.

• Collaborate with school administration on scheduling, transportation, facilities, and supervision.

• Maintain accurate records of participation, results, and student progress.

• Support equity of access and participation for all students.

• Nights and some weekends are expected, as well as travel.

• Successful candidate will have to complete all of the necessary training as assigned by Natick Public Schools.

Any other relative duties as assigned.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Move about the classroom, school, school grounds, office, and/or off-site locations.
• On some occasions, it may be necessary to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces.
• Remain in a stationary position for periods of time.
• Operate a computer and other school/office productivity machinery (i.e., iPad, copy machine, computer printer, assistive technology, etc.)
• Read materials from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids
• Position oneself to maintain files and access school/classroom/office materials
• Communicate with others so that information received and given is understood and accurately communicated
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person, via video conference, on the telephone, and/or in writing
• Observe details at close range
• In the school setting, ensure the safety of students
• Multitask and meet multiple demands from several people
• Lifting up to and including 25 lbs
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

• Formal application
• Rating of education and experience
• Oral interviews
• Reference check
• Strong record of work performance in current and previous roles required
• Successful completion of Criminal Records Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.), and fingerprints.

The Natick Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other class protected by law.