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Part-Time Speech and Debate Coach (Summer Camps)

Mountain House, CA · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Bachelor's degree or in progress toward obtaining a bachelor's degree. 3-4 years of coaching experience or competing in debate events such as Lincoln Douglas and Public Forum. High School seniors ...

Discourse Power

Be Seen First

Part-Time Speech and Debate Coach (Summer Camps)

Mountain House, CA · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Bachelor's degree or in progress toward obtaining a bachelor's degree. 3-4 years of coaching experience or competing in debate events such as Lincoln Douglas and Public Forum. High School seniors ...

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How much do debate coaching jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for debate coaching in the United States is $19.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Debate Coach, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Debate Coach, you need expertise in argumentation, critical thinking, and public speaking, often supported by experience in competitive debate or a background in communication or education. Familiarity with debate formats, research databases, and tournament management systems is important for preparing students and organizing events. Strong mentorship, leadership, and motivational skills help foster student growth and team cohesion. These skills ensure effective training, student confidence, and successful competition outcomes.

What are some common challenges debate coaches face when working with student teams, and how can they be addressed?

Debate coaches often encounter challenges such as managing diverse skill levels within a team, fostering teamwork among strong-willed debaters, and keeping students motivated throughout rigorous training schedules. Addressing these challenges involves creating structured practice sessions tailored to varying experience, encouraging open communication and collaboration, and setting clear, achievable goals for competitions. Coaches also benefit from staying updated on debate formats and rules, and by providing regular feedback to support each student's growth.

What is debate coaching?

Debate coaching involves training and guiding students or teams in the skills necessary for competitive debating. A debate coach helps participants develop research, critical thinking, argumentation, and public speaking abilities. Coaches also provide feedback, organize practice debates, and prepare debaters for tournaments. Their goal is to help debaters improve their performance and succeed in competitions, while fostering confidence and a deeper understanding of various topics.

What is the difference between Debate Coaching vs Debate Judge?

AspectDebate CoachingDebate Judge
CredentialsExperience in debate, coaching certifications (optional)Knowledge of debate rules, impartiality
Work EnvironmentWorks with students, coaches teams, often in schools or debate campsEvaluates debates, often at tournaments or competitions
Employer & IndustrySchools, debate organizations, clubsDebate tournaments, educational events
Search & Comparison IntentHow to become a debate coach, coaching skillsHow to judge debates, judging criteria

Debate coaching involves training and mentoring students to improve their debating skills, often working closely with teams in educational settings. Debate judges evaluate debates based on established criteria, providing impartial scores and feedback during competitions. While both roles require knowledge of debate rules, coaches focus on skill development, whereas judges focus on assessment during events.

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Debate Coaching jobs near you
Infographic showing various Debate Coaching job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $40,385 per year, or $19.4 per hour.
Upper School Debate Coach (Part-Time)

Upper School Debate Coach (Part-Time)

The Chapin School

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$33K/yr

Part-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

The Chapin School, an independent K-12 day school for girls located in New York City, seeks a part-time Upper School Debate Coach for 2026-27.

All candidates are encouraged to be familiar with Chapin’s website and mission.

Job Overview

The Upper School Debate Teacher and Coach instructs and coaches students in Classes 9-12 participating in Chapin’s growing debate program. Reporting jointly to the Head of Chapin’s K-12 Speech and Debate Program and the Head of Upper School, Chapin’s Debate Coach is expected to work with members of the Debate Team through weekly team meetings and individual coaching sessions, as well as attend all tournaments, which take place chiefly on weekends. This individual will collaborate with the Coordinator of Upper School Speech and Debate, who handles all tournament logistics, from registration and travel arrangements, to the securing and training of faculty chaperones and parent judges, to managing the program budget.

Specific Responsibilities

  • Under supervision of the Head of the Speech and Debate Program, recruitment and onboarding of Debate Team students, including advertising at annual extracurricular fair and paperwork and orientation for students

  • Support and Coaching of Debate Students

    • Design and facilitate Tuesday afternoon team meetings, with student leadership, for effective team-building and skill-strengthening

    • Coach debate techniques and strategies for Public Forum, Congressional, and Lincoln-Douglas Debate

    • Individual meetings with students, as needed, to practice debate skills

    • Under supervision of the Head of Speech and Debate Program, and alongside the Coordinator of Upper School Speech and Debate, mentor student debate leadership

    • Communicate disciplinary matters to the Head of the Speech and Debate Program

  • Debate Tournaments

    • Communicate clearly with Coordinator of Upper School Speech and Debate to ensure smooth running of registration processes

    • Judges and Chaperones: communicate clearly with Coordinator of Upper School Speech and Debate to confirm all judges and chaperones have been secured by the Coordinator

    • Attend local and away debate tournaments in order to observe and critique performance quality as well as to provide logistical support for all members of the team 

  • Support Coordinator of Upper School Speech and Debate by regular maintenance of NSDA point record entries

  • Support maintenance of program budget by providing relevant records and receipts to Coordinator of Upper School Speech and Debate

  • Coordinate and communicate with Upper School Office of Student Life, team members, families, chaperones, and judges to ensure the smooth running of the program

Time Commitment

The Upper School Debate Coach will be expected to be on campus during the school year on Tuesdays, 1:00-5:30 p.m. and is expected to prepare students for and attend the following tournaments over the course of the 2026-27 school year:

  • 6-8 Manhattan Debate League tournaments, held Fridays, generally 3:00-7:30 p.m.

  • 8-10 Local debate tournaments, sponsored by the Tri-State Debate League and/or the New York Catholic Forensic League, held Saturdays

  • Yale Invitational (October 2-4, Fri-Sun)

  • NYC Invitational “Big Bronx” (October 16-18, Fri-Sun)

  • Villiger at St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia (November 20-22, Fri-Sun)

  • Princeton Classic Tournament (December dates TBD, Fri-Sun)

  • Lexington Invitational, Lexington, MA (January dates TBD, Fri-Mon)

  • Harvard National Tournament, Cambridge, MA (February 12-15, Fri-Mon)

  • Last-Chance Qualifiers for State Tournament, NYC (Feb 20, Sat)

  • NSDA Debate Districts, NYC (February 27-28, Fri-Sat)

  • Grands (qualifier for National Catholic Forensic League Nationals) (March 7, Sat)

  • New York State Championship, Bronx, NY (April 17-18, Sat-Sun)

  • Catholic Forensic League Nationals, Minneapolis, MN (May 28-30, Fri-Sun)

  • NSDA Nationals, Phoenix, AZ (June 13-18)

Any substitute or additional tournaments will be scheduled in consultation with and at the discretion of the Head of the Speech and Debate Program.

Qualifications

Required

  • Bachelor’s Degree

  • Experience coaching competitive high school debate

Preferred: Experience competing in high school or collegiate debate

Compensation: The salary for this part-time position is $33,000. This position is not eligible for participation in group healthcare benefits

How To Apply: Submit your cover letter and résumé. The committee will consider applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Employment Type: PART_TIME

Apply