Poly Prep seeks applicants for the position of Associate Director of Speech, Leave Replacement from January 2024 through June 2024. We seek a talented and dynamic individual with a knowledge of modern argument trends in speech and debate, who is experienced in coaching the following speech events: Declamation, Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Program Oral Interpretation, Prose/Poetry, and Original Oratory. The Associate Director of Speech leads the speech program, which includes both in-class and extracurricular components, and teaches speech classes that build skills in research, writing, speaking, presentation, and performance. The Associate Director is also responsible for conducting weekly team practices, meeting regularly with students in individual sessions, and chaperoning, coaching, and judging at weekend tournaments. The ideal candidate will be committed to providing a joyful and equitable experience for our students during class, practices, and tournaments and lend creative leadership of our locally and nationally successful debate program. We seek an individual with strong communication and collaboration skills; innovative programmatic development experience; and proven organization, time management and supervision at tournaments. In view of our commitment to anti-racism, diversity and inclusion, we seek an individual whose creative vision is aligned with those values, who can serve as a role model for our students, and whose personal integrity and equanimity will enrich our school community.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Develop and implement a curriculum that teaches the fundamentals of public speaking, critical thinking, and speech construction, with an emphasis on experiential learning.
- Develop and implement a curriculum that teaches the fundamentals of dramatic performance, including physical and vocal warmups and exercises, plot structure, character development, and blocking.
- Create performance-ready speech manuscripts by adapting books, plays, poetry, short stories, and academic literature. Ensure that manuscripts comply with competition rules.
- Collaborate with students to create original speeches, develop a thesis, structure their argument, support their argument with research, and employ rhetorical strategies.
- Provide learning support to students in weekly team practices and regular one-on-one coaching sessions.
- Match students in competition events and tournaments based on their interests, skills, and goals.
- Chaperone, coach, and judge at local and national tournaments.
- Direct speech programming, events, and communication for the Poly community.
- Collaborate with the Director of Forensics and Debate, Performing Arts chair, and coaches to meet the needs of the program.
- Communicate effectively with students, families, faculty and administration in support of programmatic and student development.
- Communicate effectively with parents and faculty in a timely and professional manner and in adherence with the school’s communications expectations, including copying direct supervisor on all correspondence.
- Maintain professional communication practices with colleagues and supervisors.
- Submit monthly reconciliation of tournament expenses following proper guidelines.
- Attend and contribute to meetings during and after the school day, including but not limited to divisional, departmental, and professional development meetings.
Salary Range: Compensation for the time period will be based on an annual salary range of $64K - $84K
Poly Prep strives to be an equitable, just, and diverse community, one proud of and deeply committed to empowering students to discover who they are and what they want to be. In keeping with the country day school philosophy, we seek community members who will share a passion for learning in and out of the classroom.
We offer a supportive environment, with a full benefits package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a generous match on our 403(b) retirement plan, long-term disability, flexible spending account, pre-tax commute benefit, and free lunch). Eligibility rules must be met.
Poly Prep is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.