Middle School Academic Challenge Coach 26/27 SY

Description

The Academic Challenge Coach provides leadership, instruction, organization, and supervision for the middle school Academic Challenge team. The Coach prepares students to participate in academic competitions that promote teamwork, critical thinking, academic knowledge, quick recall, and good sportsmanship. This position is a supplemental assignment for which a stipend is provided as approved by the School Board.

Reports To

Building Principal or Designee

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework or degree preferred.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, Academic Challenge competition rules, procedures, and expectations.
• Ability to work effectively with middle school students and encourage academic achievement, teamwork, and positive competition.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to supervise students appropriately during practices, competitions, and related activities.
• Must meet all employment, volunteer, background check, and other requirements established by Northampton County Public Schools, as applicable.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Board or Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.

Responsibilities

The Academic Challenge Coach shall:

• Organize, coordinate, and provide leadership for the school's Academic Challenge program.
• Recruit and encourage eligible students to participate in the Academic Challenge team in accordance with school and competition requirements.
• Conduct regular practices and prepare students for Academic Challenge competitions.
• Familiarize students with competition rules, procedures, question formats, time limits, and appropriate competition strategies.
• Provide students with opportunities to strengthen knowledge and skills across a broad range of academic areas, which may include mathematics, science, English/literature, history/social studies, geography, fine arts, current events, and general knowledge.
• Develop students' skills in teamwork, communication, critical thinking, quick recall, decision-making, and appropriate use of competition equipment.
• Establish and communicate expectations for student attendance, preparation, conduct, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
• Determine team participation and competition assignments in accordance with applicable rules and school expectations.
• Coordinate practice and competition schedules with the building administration and communicate schedules and other relevant information to students and parents/guardians.
• Attend and supervise students at scheduled Academic Challenge competitions, tournaments, and other approved activities.
• Ensure appropriate supervision of students before, during, and following practices, competitions, and related activities.
• Maintain Academic Challenge materials, equipment, competition resources, and other program supplies assigned to the team.
• Coordinate with school administration regarding transportation, competition registration, facilities, equipment, and other logistical needs associated with the program.
• Promote a positive team environment that emphasizes academic achievement, inclusion, integrity, respectful competition, and good sportsmanship.
• Maintain appropriate records and documentation related to team participation, schedules, competition results, and other program information as requested by the administration.
• Follow all applicable Northampton County Public Schools policies, regulations, procedures, safety requirements, and competition rules.
• Immediately report student safety concerns, injuries, behavioral concerns, or other significant incidents to the appropriate school administrator.
• Represent the school and school division professionally when interacting with students, families, employees, competition officials, other schools, and members of the community.
• Perform other duties directly related to the Academic Challenge program as assigned by the building principal or designee.

Terms of Assignment

• Assignment: Supplemental/Stipend Position
• Stipend: As approved by the Northampton County School Board
• Duration: Academic Challenge season and/or competition schedule as established by the school division
• Appointment to this supplemental assignment is made on an annual basis and does not create an expectation or guarantee of appointment in subsequent school years.
• The stipend compensates the employee for responsibilities associated with the Academic Challenge Coach assignment in addition to the employee's regular duties, when applicable.