Summary: The SpeakFirst Varsity and Novice Team Leads implements the SpeakFirst high school debate program in the Birmingham area with a focus on lesson planning, debate instruction, practice logistics, and tournament attendance and support. The SpeakFirst initiative enriches the academic experience of talented and motivated students from Birmingham-area high schools through participation in a competitive debate team. This highly collaborative initiative addresses a wide array of needs including tutoring and academic support, college admissions and financial aid guidance, standardized test preparation, and youth development activities. The team will consist of approximately 11 varsity and 6 novice students for the 2020-21 program year.
The SpeakFirst Varsity Team Lead and Novice Team Lead are full-time AmeriCorps Members serving 1700 hours (1 year).
Location: Two positions available in Birmingham, AL – one will be assigned to the Varsity Team and one to the Novice Team.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Manage and coach debate practices two evenings per week
- Implement weekly ACT prep, college prep, and academic support session one evening per week
- Collaborate on lesson planning, including creating objectives, power points, research, case, and block assignments, and supporting with research
- Provide detailed research instruction, thorough editing of student work, and one-on-one research and brief and case writing instruction
- Engage in independent topic research and analysis
- Serve as main point of contact for student participants and their parents, including organizing parent meetings and communication
- Responsible for practice logistics and coordinating with other Team Lead, where necessary
- Develop and implement transportation plan for students to practices and tournaments as needed
- Coordinate registration and participation in 8-12 weekend tournaments throughout the academic year
- Travel to and judge and coach at those tournaments
- Organize extracurricular events to expose the students to important cultural and historical learning opportunities
- Organize and execute recruitment for the next class of debaters
- Coordinate with media/communications team as needed to raise the profile of program in the community
Expectations
- Positive attitude and rapport with Service Members
- Collaborative spirit with the whole leadership team, especially the other SpeakFirst Team Lead and AmeriCorps Service Member Coaches
- Flexibility in a dynamic service environment
- Strong self management skills and willingness to take initiative
- Participate as requested in leadership team meetings and other program-specific meetings
- Ability to build positive professional relationships with high school students and families
- Enthusiasm for and prior experience working with high school students
- Prior experience with debate and/or education strongly preferred
Supervisor: SpeakFirst Program Manager
Term of Service: Begins July 1st, 2020 and ends June 30th, 2021
Skills Required: Successful members will demonstrate the following skills: leadership, teamwork, written and verbal communication, advanced computer literacy, positive attitude, flexibility, ability to work independently, punctuality, honesty, integrity, cultural sensitivity, commitment to individuals living in poverty. Prior experience with debate and/or education strongly preferred.
Academic Qualifications: Members must have completed a college degree or have plans to complete the degree within the first six months of the term of service (this exception may be made on a case-by-case basis with prior approval).
Service Conditions and Time Requirement: This position may include an irregular schedule and seasonal shifts in workload. It sometimes requires weekend, evening, early morning, and off-peak hours. Work will involve conducting direct service in communities of need, outside of an office setting as well as sedentary physical activity requiring sitting for periods of time. 50% or more time is spent looking directly at a computer. Some travel is required.
Member Benefits (for Full-Time, 1700 hour positions):
Living Stipend for Leadership Team Members
Paid Time Off
Health Insurance
Childcare Allowance
Education Award
Student Loan Forbearance
Equal Employment Opportunity/ Nondiscrimination Policy
