Assistant Speech & Debate Coach

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, a Catholic, Dominican high school for young women, is looking for an experienced assistant coach for its Speech and Debate Team.  Through the support of FSHA’s administration, faculty, and staff, our program has grown from a team of 6 girls in 2008 to 40 girls in the fall of 2024.  The Assistant Speech Coach will manage three squads of approximately 4 to 10 students each. Squads are divided into three major categories of competition: 

1. Original Speeches (OO, OA, Informative)
2. Spontaneous Speeches (Impromptu or Extemp); and
3. Interpretive Speeches

Essential Job Functions: 

• Conducting practices and drills to reinforce and assess skill development
• Review, judge evaluations and motivate students to constantly improve  
• Student captains lead each squad during much of the team practice time 
• Must be able to coach at one full practice a week, with a possibility of an extra practice right before a major tournament
• Attend (chaperone, judge, coach) a minimum of four weekend tournaments (pre-arranged)
• Attend (chaperone, judge, coach) at least one travel tournament (pre-arranged)
• Attend and help teach the annual team weekend workshop at the start of the school year
• Build positive relationships with students
• Teach life lessons through group and individual speech practices and contests
• Supervise, instruct, and advise speech participants during practices and contests
• Perform other duties as assigned by upper management

• Minimum of 2 years’ successful experience as a high school Speech coach or competitor with equivalent experience, preferably in an all-girls environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of fundamentals as well as advanced techniques of Speech events
• Ability to teach, enforce, advocate, and model appropriate behavior, character traits, and educational values to team members 
• Ability to use digital tools and technologies proficiently
• Have a valid California driver’s license and auto insurance  
• Submit to and pass a background check 
• Excellent communication, team-building, and organization skills  
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.

Physical and Environmental Conditions: 

• Stands 50% or more of the workday
• Sight, hearing and speech are essential for communication
• Lifts up to 10 pounds without assistance 

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Diversity is a vital element of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy’s mission to educate young women for a life of faith, integrity and truth. At Flintridge Sacred Heart, we seek to create and sustain a vibrant, inclusive community and we value and appreciate the uniqueness contained within each person so as to honor the diversity of God’s creation.

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy is an equal opportunity employer.   We evaluate all applicants without unlawful consideration of race, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.