Private tutor (DAL 0820)

STUDENTS

There are two are very well-behaved and polite 7-year olds. They come from a warm, supportive family where good humor and fun are encouraged. There is a mild-mannered firmness about their upbringing which has given them a sense of calm and stability. They are happy children and play together well.

The boy is a vegetarian and likes to eat dry, crunchy textures. He is a focused young man who needs guidance so he can finish his meals in a timely manner. The girl loves to cook and bake. The perfect Tutor will help expand their palette for various foods with cooking classes and education.

Both twins enjoy usual activities such as computer games, Lego and other non-screen-based activities. Both are developing a love for reading, and they have a strong interest in history, math and science. They are passionate about music and singing. The girl is currently learning how to play the piano. This family is happy to use electronics for academic purposes. 

Their favorite Tutors are energetic and love teaching through games, physical activities and adventures. The girl has a preference for dance – specifically ballet – and the boy for golf, tennis and music. These preferences may be a reflection of activities that are easy to organize for home-schooled children, and exposing the twins to a wider range of activities may well generate passions in other areas.

The twins are currently being homeschooled by their traveling live-in Tutor. The twins’ parents have aspirations for them to both attend top universities or colleges such as MIT, Harvard or Oxbridge. Under the guidance of an inspiring and effective Tutor, their academic trajectory will continue to soar.

ROLE OF THE TUTOR

This role has two facets: Tutor and Personal Assistant. It calls for an able, calm, easy-going and well-qualified educator with a sense of humor. As a Tutor, they must be able to deliver the full spectrum of primary subjects to a level comparable with that of topflight UK and US private schools. The Tutor must be fluent in Spanish and must be familiar with the requirements of both Texan and Californian school curricula.

The twins’ parents are keen to embrace the opportunities that home-schooling affords and are excited about teaching their children away from the rigid parameters of formal curricula. The Tutor should be experienced in curriculum-planning, and able to use their knowledge of US and UK primary standards to devise their own learning pathway for the children. The Tutor should help them develop solid foundations and good study techniques and mechanisms which will serve them throughout their education and future lives.

The Tutor should incorporate as much of their surroundings as possible into their classes, taking advantage of their location to bring alive a history, science or mathematics lesson, blending subjects where appropriate, and inspiring and enthusing the twins with the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. The aim is to give them a fertile growth environment and support this with encouragement as their boundaries are stretched.

The family places great emphasis on communication in terms of understanding cultural and linguistic nuances, customs and practices as well as languages. The Tutor should incorporate training in these skills as part of their covert curricula. 

The family moves between their various houses including those in Dallas, California and Baja California Sur in Mexico. The Tutor must be organized and an excellent record keeper. They will be responsible for planning a curriculum, setting a timetable, delivering lessons and assessing mastery, as well as keeping a body of evidence to prove the level of work covered.  Good IT skills and an openness to adapting to the Client’s preferred communication styles will be essential.

Equally important is the role of Personal Assistant. The Tutor is expected to help the twins’ mother with tasks which could include helping to furnish the family homes, organizing logistics for relocations or general scheduling assistance while the family are travelling. The family are seeking a Tutor who is a team player and is happy to help out around the house.  This position requires someone who loves to organize and who knows how to pack/unpack efficiently. They may also be asked to teach Spanish to the children’s mother or some of the household staff.

The Tutor should be an interesting and erudite individual, open minded, well-travelled and with experience of the UK and US private school pathways. Experience with the Independent Schools Exam Board (ISEB) or the US equivalent ISEE would be beneficial. The Tutor will be partly responsible for the children’s character development. Tenacity, curiosity and resilience should be encouraged – the children should always look for possible solutions to any problems or setbacks and should not be put off trying alternative methods of completing tasks.

HOURS AND HOLIDAYS

The average weekly contact time, whether teaching the children or in the assistant role, will be in the range 35-40 hours a week, with preparation in addition. The family is seeking someone who is a team player and always willing to help.

The days should normally follow a structured timetable including regular breaks, opportunities for sport, music and other extracurricular activities. There will be occasions when flexible working hours are required.

The Tutor is entitled to two consecutive days off per week - usually be Saturday and Sunday. They will need to be flexible, but in cases of change, the Client will try to give the Tutor at least a week’s notice of when their ‘weekend’ break will be. Untaken weekend days that have accrued will also be compensated by a pro-rated payment in lieu. This family travels very frequently.

The Tutor will be entitled to a minimum of 9 weeks (45 working days) paid vacation per annum at times convenient to the Client, but with a guarantee that the Tutor will be off throughout the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year periods.

ACCOMMODATION, TRAVEL, AND MISCELLANEOUS

The Client will provide accommodation in most locations, with all bills excluding the Tutor’s personal phone bills covered by the Client.  The Tutor shall be responsible for cleaning and maintaining their living quarters. During the pandemic, the Tutor will be a live-in to minimize the risks of contact with infected persons. The Tutor should be mindful of their privacy at all times.

The homes have a designated classroom. The Tutor must keep the area clean and tidy, with all resources well stocked and suitable displays up to help inspire learning.

The Client will cover any travel expenses associated with this role, as well as meals and food during any periods of travel.

A car will be provided for reasonable local use.  The Tutor must be a safe driver as they will take the children to daily social activities. 

The Tutor must be fit and healthy, a non-smoker, without visible piercings or tattoos. They must be CPR certified and a confident swimmer.

The Tutor must have the requisite travel and health insurance, the required vaccinations, and the necessary visas. Tutors International can assist with the procurement of an American visa for British applicants if necessary.

For more information and instructions on how to apply, please visit: 

tijobs.net/500