Austin, Texas
Posted: 05-Feb-26
Location: Houston, Texas
Type: Full Time
Preferred Education:
The Kinkaid School is seeking a visionary, strategic, and logistically-minded Upper School Debate Coach and Teacher to lead our debate program starting August 2026. The ideal candidate will be an inspiring leader with a passion for cultivating intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and ethical communication in a challenging, safe, and inclusive learning environment.
Reporting to the History and Social Sciences Department Chair, the Upper School Debate Coach and Teacher will provide strategic leadership for the future of the debate program, overseeing its long-term strategic direction and its alignment with the school's mission and core values. This role requires a unique combination of high-level pedagogical expertise across multiple debate formats and mastery of the logistical and fiscal management necessary for a nationally competitive program. This teacher must embrace and help advance the principles set out in Kinkaid’s core documents: mission and core values, Upper School Educational Philosophy and Portrait of a Teacher.
The Kinkaid School is a co-educational non-sectarian day school enrolling over 1,500 students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Located on a sixty-five-acre campus in the heart of Houston, Texas, the School offers a thriving intellectual community in the midst of a vibrant, urban, diverse culture.
With an enrollment of about 630, the Upper School fosters a learning environment centered on academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and personal attention. The Upper School faculty enjoys small class sizes and a collegial, collaborative environment centered on intellectual curiosity and continuous professional development.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and implement a three-year programmatic strategic plan for the debate program that supports the team's competitive standing while ensuring sustainability, fiscal responsibility, and healthy student participation
- Teach up to four sections of Upper School debate and lead practice for students not enrolled in the class
- Supervise and coach students at local, state, and national tournaments, including approximately 2-3 weekends per month of travel and several overnight trips
- Manage and plan all tournament logistics, including registration, hotel procurement, and transportation
- Coordinate with the Business Office to fiscally manage the debate budget, verifying accurate billing to families, timely vendor payments, and expense reconciliation
- Recruit, mentor, and supervise assistant coaches and student leaders, fostering a culture of improvement and a strong team ethos
- Communicate routinely, including regular write-ups and photos for school communications to celebrate student achievements and promote program visibility
- Lead the Upper School debate students in fostering intellectual inquiry, where students are taught to listen to, honor, and learn from diverse viewpoints
- Serve as a Community Group leader to a small group of Upper School students
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Political Science, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
- Demonstrated excellence as a head coach or director of a high-performing debate program at the secondary or collegiate level
- Deep knowledge of various debate formats (Policy, LD, PF, World Schools) and familiarity with NSDA and TFA rules and procedures
- Exceptional organizational and communication skills, with experience managing complex budgets and logistical operations
- A commitment to Kinkaid's core values (honesty, responsibility, respect, and kindness) and the school's "Portrait of a Teacher”
The Kinkaid School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law, The Kinkaid School complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
Submit all correspondence including your cover letter, resume, and application through The Kinkaid School application portal. Please no emails or phone calls to submit your candidacy or show interest.