Position: Middle School Speech Coach (Sabbatical Coverage Fall 2026-27)

Department: Middle School

Location: Milton Academy Campus, Milton, MA

Hours: Approx. 15 hours per week on average, including evenings and weekends FTE: 0.375 FTE

FLSA: Exempt

Classification: Faculty (Academic Year)

Work Schedule: September through January, Monday through Thursday from 3:45-5:45 PM, Fridays from 9:30-10:30 AM, plus weekend tournament commitments.

Base Salary: For the 2026-27 fall semester, the faculty salary at 0.375 FTE ranges from $9,500 to $17,500. Placement within this range is determined by years of experience, in alignment with Milton Academy's faculty salary scale, which is designed to ensure equitable pay progression.

Milton Academy is an independent college preparatory K–12 school, boarding and day in grades 9–12, located just south of Boston.

Milton Academy cultivates in its students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Embracing diversity and the pursuit of excellence, we create a community in which individuals develop competence, confidence and character. Our active learning environment, in and out of the classroom, develops creative and critical thinkers, unafraid to express their ideas, prepared to seek meaningful lifetime success and to live by our motto, “Dare to be true.”

Summary of Position:

Milton Academy is seeking a Middle School Speech Coach to cover a sabbatical from August 24, 2026 to January 29, 2027.

This is a part-time position with a work schedule Monday through Thursday from 3:45-5:45 PM, Fridays from 9:30-10:30 AM, plus weekend tournament commitments. There may also be opportunities to teach Upper School Public Speaking courses for candidates who are interested.

The Speech Coach manages a team of students who compete in various public speaking and acting events around the Eastern Massachusetts area throughout the school year. The team accepts between 30 and 40 6th, 7th, and 8th grade members each year. The coach is the primary adult facilitator for the activity, working with middle school student competitors, parents and high school volunteers, and faculty and staff from Milton Academy and other peer institutions belonging to the Massachusetts Middle School Speech League.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Massachusetts Middle School Speech League rules, expectations, and competition schedule.
• Hold a weekly team meeting during the Middle School Activities Block for students to practice their performances and receive announcements and instructions for preparing for upcoming competitions.
• Provide personalized, small-group training to the middle school competitors after the school day, in the 11 different public speaking and acting categories offered by the Massachusetts Middle School Speech League.
• Offering student guidance with selecting performance material, and when appropriate creating or editing scripts and selections of literature to competition standards.
• Recruit and manage parent volunteers and Upper School student volunteer judges with assistance from the Upper School Speech Team Liaison
• Communicate with the Middle School Program Coordinator to arrange for event setup for tournaments hosted by the school, and transportation to tournaments hosted by other institutions in a timely and organized fashion.
• Accompany the Speech Team to 5-6 weekend Speech tournaments held throughout the school year.
• Represent Milton Academy at biannual Massachusetts Middle School Speech League meetings held in the fall and spring.
• Create a student-centered learning environment and a positive atmosphere that encourages student participation.
• Adapt teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities.
• Learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion in education; incorporate related principles when designing curriculum, teaching, and engaging with students.

Community

• Contribute to creating a positive community culture that ensures students are heard, seen, valued, and cared for.
• Share in the enforcement of our expectations for students.

Other Professional Expectations and Responsibilities

• Work cooperatively with students, parents, peers, administration, and community members.
• Act in a manner that is respectful, generous toward others, supportive of colleagues, and based in a belief in the competence and good intentions of all members of the community.
• Communicate openly and promptly, supporting colleagues, students, and the integrity of the institution in conversations with students and parents.
• Create and maintain classroom and campus environments that are open and flexible, reflecting the school’s values related to diversity, equity, and belonging.
• Strive to grow and improve professionally, demonstrating a commitment to continuing professional development in alignment with the upper school’s growth statements.
• Exhibit skills in collaborative problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.
• Meet deadlines.
• Attend all school-wide, divisional, and faculty meetings and events and serve on committees as required.
• Prepare for and participate in opening of school programming, family visit days, graduation, and all other key student/family moments that are part of the school calendar.
• Complete school-required training.
• Abide by the school's policies and procedures as outlined in the provided handbooks.
• Communicate with the appropriate supervisor when unable to meet any professional obligation.

Supervision to be received: Supervised by the Middle School Principal

Supervision to be exercised: None

Education/Certification/Licensure

Required: A bachelor’s degree and a valid driver’s license

Preferred: A master’s degree

Experience

Required: A minimum of three years of experience in teaching or coaching, with a strong background in public speaking.

Preferred: Experience working in an independent boarding / day school

Competencies

Required:

• Proficiency in public speaking and communication.
• Ability to design age-appropriate lessons and activities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated computer expertise, including proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external constituencies.
• Understanding of confidentiality and related issues.
• Receptive to supervision and professional development.
• Desire to be a part of a dynamic educational community.

Physical Abilities

Required:

• Must be able to work at a computer for up to 8 hours each day in conjunction with OSHA requirements.
• Must be able to teach in a classroom setting and use relevant instructional technology.
• Must be able to move around the Milton Academy campus without restriction.
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.

All interested internal candidates must complete an application for promotion or transfer and inform your supervisor as soon as possible.

The essential functions and basic skills have been included in this job description; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

Milton Academy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of any category protected by federal, state, or local law, including but not limited to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, citizenship or national or ethnic origin.