High School Head Debate Coach (part-time, 25-26)

Job Description

Job Description

About the School

Georgetown Day School opened its doors in 1945 as the first integrated school in a segregated city. Governed by a Board of Trustees elected by the parent body and administered by an appointed Head of School, it was founded by seven families who wanted to create a school committed not only to academic excellence and educational innovation but also to a value system emphasizing appreciation and respect for others. Believing that diversity was the ground out of which all deep and rich learning occurs, they established a school where all children would be welcome, celebrated, and challenged to be their best selves.

Today, the School's philosophy, programs, and position in the national educational landscape strongly reflect its roots. Having grown from 12 children in 1945 to 1075 students in PK-12 today, GDS is recognized as one of Washington, D.C.’s and the nation’s most dynamic educational institutions.

Since the school’s founding, GDS has called eight different locations home. In the fall of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools were all joined on one extraordinary campus.

About the Position

Division: High School

Reports to: Assistant Principal for School Life

Location: On-site at 4200 Davenport Street, NW, Washington, DC
Type of Opportunity: Part-time, permanent, benefits-eligible

FLSA Status: Exempt

Compensation: $30,000 - $38,000 annually

Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Georgetown Day School, a co-ed Pre-K-12 school in Washington, DC, seeks a Head Debate Coach to lead its nationally recognized policy debate program. The Head Debate Coach will oversee the program’s day-to-day functions, mentor students, and collaborate with families and colleagues to support student success. This part-time position requires approximately 10 - 20 hours per week (Monday through Friday), plus travel to tournaments on approximately 16 weekends throughout the 2025-2026 school year. The role offers a rewarding opportunity to contribute to students’ growth as individuals and teammates and to represent GDS on the national debate circuit.

Responsibilities

• Lead in-person practices (four days per week) to prepare students for varying levels of debate competition.

• Judge and coach students at in-person and/or virtual debate tournaments.

• Organize and host GDS’s annual national debate tournament.

• Schedule and coordinate tournament participation, including travel and logistics.

• Communicate regularly with students, families, and school administration.

• Foster a team culture rooted in inclusion, collaboration, and respect.

• Partner with school leadership to shape the organization and structure of the debate program.

• Strengthen connections and collaboration between the Middle and High School debate programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
  

• Experience working with students in an educational or extracurricular setting.

• A minimum of three years of debate experience, as well as coaching and program leadership experience, is strongly preferred.

• Familiarity with various types of debate, including Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, and Public Forum.

• Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, and meet strict deadlines.

• Demonstrated care and concern for children and their families.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
  

• Commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to honoring the dignity and worth of every individual.

Americans with Disability Specifications

Physical Demands:

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and list of three references using our online application system through ADP/Workforce Now: http://www.gds.org/Recruiting. To find out more about the school, candidates should visit our website at www.gds.org.

As an inclusive school devoted to preparing our students to live, work, and lead in an increasingly globalized and multicultural society, GDS is particularly interested in professionals with demonstrated interest and experience in working in such a school setting and is driven by the core charge of working to enhance and bring joy to every student’s individual learning experience in equitable and meaningful ways.