High School Speech and Debate Instructor
The High School Speech and Debate Instructor will teach public speaking, civics, and advocacy to high school students in a hybrid after-school program, fostering their communication skills and civic understanding. The role involves curriculum development, classroom management both in-person and online, and preparing students for a final presentation, supporting their academic and social growth within a college access framework.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Teaching.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Position overview
Confidential Client seeks an energetic High School Speech and Debate Instructor for the Liberty LEADS after-school program. This is a part-time, hourly instructor role running October 2026 – May 2027, primarily in-person at the program site with the expectation that instructors can deliver instruction remotely if circumstances require. Instructors will teach public speaking, interpersonal communication, and civics-focused debate skills to high school students, guide final projects for an end-of-year presentation, and provide weekly lesson plans for supervisor approval.
Key responsibilities
- Create, adapt, and implement lesson plans and curriculum teaching civics, advocacy, public speaking, and democratic participation for high school students (online groups up to ~10 students; in-person groups up to ~25 students).
- Engage and differentiate instruction to meet students’ needs, using positive behavior management strategies.
- Submit weekly lesson plans to the program supervisor one week prior to class for review and approval.
- Deliver remote classes with camera-on instruction when required; maintain student engagement and participation standards online.
- Coordinate regularly with the Liberty LEADS High School Adviser / Program Coordinator for supervision and debriefing.
- Prepare and guide students in producing an end-of-year presentation/project for program showcase.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
- NYS teacher certification or demonstrable professional proficiency in the subject area preferred.
- Previous experience working with high school youth and experience teaching public speaking, debate, civics, or related social science topics.
- Special Education teachers are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Familiarity with Common Core standards is preferred.
- Reliable internet and a camera-equipped computer for remote instruction if needed.
- Strong classroom management, communication, and curriculum development skills.
Schedule & compensation
- Schedule: Saturdays, part-time. Typical class hours: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM. Term: October 2026 – May 2027.
- Employment type: Part-time, hourly.
- Pay: Hourly rate range $50–$60 per hour (as provided by the source posting).
About the program & employer
The Liberty LEADS program (operated by Confidential Client) is a college access and success initiative serving students in grades 5–12 across New York City. The program provides comprehensive academic and college-preparatory resources and aims to ensure youth from low-income backgrounds have access to supports that help them succeed in college or entry-level careers. Confidential Client is committed to high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction and to fostering equitable opportunities for young people.
Additional notes
- This role requires the ability to teach in-person at the program site and to pivot to remote instruction (via Zoom) when required. Remote instructors must appear on camera during class sessions and maintain high engagement standards.
- Weekly lesson plans and daily curriculum materials are required for supervisory review.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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