Cary Academy seeks a Speech and Debate Teacher in our Upper School to work alongside a dynamic group of educators dedicated to serving the unique needs of high school-aged students. Cary Academy faculty work within a professional culture of self-reflection, growth, and a passionate pursuit of our mission.

Cary Academy's Beliefs about Learning

As an independent school, we have a clear and distinct perspective on what learning should be at its best.  This perspective has been further defined through our belief statements.  As members of the CA Learning Community, we believe:

• Learning is an iterative and interdependent process.
• Taking risks, embracing struggle, and developing resilience are essential to deep and life-long learning.
• Individuals must develop self-awareness as learners and take ownership of their learning.
• Clear, ongoing, and timely feedback elicits self-reflection and drives growth.
• Physical, social, and emotional balance is essential for learning and well-being.
• The most impactful learning occurs where people, disciplines, and ideas connect to address human and community needs.
• Diverse and inclusive environments create a secure and affirming culture that enables both the individual and the community to flourish.
• Excellent teaching is the foundation of an outstanding learning community.

The Cary Academy's Professional Culture

• Above all else, we are fiercely committed to putting our students first in all that we do.
• We are relentless in the pursuit of our mission.
• We are insatiably curious, knowing that if we are open to and excited about learning, the right answers will come to us—eventually!
• Tradition matters to us, but moving forward with an eye to the new, different and unexplored matters even more.
• We deliberately seek out a broad range of backgrounds and experiences in our employees and value this as essential to allowing our community to grow and innovate.
• We share ideas, information and perspectives in a way that honors and empowers everyone and allows our community to thrive.
• We nurture meaningful relationships with community members that make us look forward to coming to work each day.
• We are self-motivated professionals who take pride in and responsibility for the work we do.

Cary Academy's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, Cary Academy encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We seek to create working and learning environments that are safe and inclusive. 

The Cary Academy Diversity Mission Statement

"Cary Academy fosters a learning community where the richness of diversity is recognized, respected, and embraced. Our view in diversity includes, but is not limited to ability, age, appearance, gender, national origin, personal qualities, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Our vision is to nurture and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment where everyone is valued.”

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teaches Upper School speech and debate classes in a manner consistent with the mission and educational philosophies of Cary Academy.
• Travels with students to speech and debate tournaments. (The Speech and Debate Teacher receives a set annual base salary supplement for this responsibility.)
• Leads and/or supports Flex Day opportunities.
• Works collegially in teams in ways that foster professional collaboration and exchange.
• Engages actively in equity and anti-racism work as part of the school’s commitment to inclusion and justice.
• Is readily available to students for extra help and guidance outside of class.
• Communicates effectively with parents and responds to concerns in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Supervises students before and after school and during break as assigned.
• Supports students by attending a variety of student performances, events and competitions each year.
• Participates in annual grade-level overnight trips.
• Seeks out and engages in ongoing professional development.

• Completes all required administrative and operational tasks in a timely manner per school operating policies and procedures. 

• Performs other functions as assigned in support of school operations.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Extensive background and training in speech and debate.
• Ability to design and implement an innovative, engaging and age-appropriate curriculum in the content area.
• Ability to employ a broad range of instructional strategies to address the varying needs of students.
• Ability to use technology creatively and effectively to enhance teaching and learning.
• Ability to establish meaningful relationships with all students in ways that foster the development of the whole child.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues in a highly collaborative environment.
• Ability to perform position responsibilities in ways that ensure a respectful, inclusive and equitable
  learning and work environment for all members of our diverse school community.
• Ability to travel with speech and debate students to off-campus competitions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all constituent groups.
• Ability to drive a school activity bus as needed.
• Ability to meet expectation of regular, predictable and reliable attendance.

Education:   Bachelor’s degree in the content area (advanced degree preferred).

Experience:  At least 3 years of full-time teaching experience in the content area with secondary students.

Equivalency:  Directly related experience or a combination of directly related education and experience may be considered in place of the above requirements.

Recruiting Process

Cary Academy reserves the right to close this position at any time, even before any stated deadline for applications. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as they are able. Clicking through on this page will take you to an "application page" that is linked to the school's HR system. You do not need to fill out any of the optional skills, motivations or behaviors on that page. You will see one or two mandatory questions as part of the application process; this helps us get to know you a bit better early in the process. While not required, we would also encourage you to submit a cover letter, PDF version of your resume, and a teaching philosophy, even if you are applying through a third-party agency. This allows us to have easier access to your materials to share with our internal hiring teams.  

Once you complete the application on our internal pages, we will begin a review of your materials. You may be contacted at that point for a follow-up, which could include a one-way video interview. This process, again, will allow us to get to know you better and to share your application with a hiring team.  

Thank you for considering Cary Academy!