Private tutor (MAS 0820)

THE STUDENTS

There are two children: a boy of 6 and a girl, aged 4. The boy has a fertile imagination and a wide range of interests. He has just completed his third year in the Mandarin track of his New York school. His skill in Mandarin has led his parents to engage a live-in teacher with whom the Tutor will be working closely. Both children are also being brought up with Spanish-speaking nannies in the hope that they will develop tri-lingually. He enjoys lessons which are delivered in a fun way – he likes to learn through games and thrives when there is a slightly competitive edge to the lessons. 

The boy’s range of interests including Muay Thai, swimming, football and gymnastics, singing and dancing. He is musically minded and plays the piano. He is hands-on and loves to make sculptures from craft items. He has recently been introduced to coding – he seems to have talent in this area. He is bright – particularly in areas which require algorithmic problem-solving and language skills, although he has some trouble with paying close attention for long periods of time.

The girl is also a gifted linguist, but this time in Spanish. She is also on the Mandarin track at kindergarten, and while she is making good progress, her Spanish skills are exceptional. However, she is behind her peer group with writing, and it is not known if she has a solid grasp of individual letters yet.

She is also a strong swimmer and gymnast and has enjoyed an even earlier start with coding than her brother where she also shows great promise. She is less gregarious than her brother and is often content playing alone. Recently she has developed more of her individual personality and is showing increasing affection for immediate and extended family members. She likes to watch movies in her language classes, and enjoys classes which have an element of play. 

The children are great comrades. They are at a stage where they are testing boundaries, but a firm and consistent approach keeps them both in check. Together, the family are warm, kind and caring. They maintain a healthy lifestyle where everyone is encouraged to be active and fit, and they are very hospitable and welcoming.

ROLE OF THE TUTOR

While the children had been thriving at their NY kindergarten, the onset of Covid-19 has made school life difficult to predict. There school plans to offer online tuition for the first semester of the 20/21 academic year, but the family are aware that nothing can replace the efficacy and excitement of face-to-face tuition. The family’s own circumstances have also changed – the children’s parents are amicably separated and are co-parenting at the children’s home in Massachusetts.

In the short term, the children will stay enrolled at their NY school, and the Tutor will deliver the online material, ensure mastery, and extend lessons where suitable. In later years, the Tutor should be prepared to design and implement their own curriculum, likely switching from the US curriculum to the English Early Years program. As the family put down more roots, the Tutor should extend their activities to incorporate other children from the neighborhood for short dramatic performances, band practices or team sports.

The aim of the role is to facilitate the entry of both children into top UK independent schools, such as Westminster, at the age of 13 for the boy, and a similar school for the girl aged either 11 or 16.  The Tutor must ensure both children have solid academic foundations from a program which spans both the UK and US. The children should be on par with the top echelons of their peers and have the breadth and depth of experience to make competitive applications to any school of their choosing.

The Tutor should make use of all resources at their disposal, planning lessons which centre on local points of interest, historical sites, museums, art galleries, exhibitions and theatre productions, and their natural enthusiasm for any given topic should be infectious.

The children’s parents are keen for them to continue developing their athletic abilities. As yet, neither child has expressed a particular preference for one individual sport, so it is important to keep introducing them to a range of activities. Both parents are happy for the children to be exposed to screen time where necessary. The children are allowed to use education apps.

The family have worked hard to ensure that the children are culturally aware but never critical, that both of them are curious children and not merely consumers. The Tutor should reinforce this message, encouraging the children to understand the range of human experiences and situations, their privilege and how to contribute to society through meaningful actions such as volunteering, fundraising and reducing their impact on the environment. 

The successful candidate for this role will have attended one of the top UK independent schools before a Russell Group or Ivy League university. Their background will be in the sciences and mathematics, and they will be able to deliver the full range of primary subjects at a very high level. They will be a qualified teacher with upwards of five years’ experience and should be able to support the Mandarin tutor in delivering language lessons. Spanish or Mandarin skills would be beneficial. The children’s parents are keen to be involved, so the Tutor should include them where suitable and guide them in activity planning or projects that they wish to undertake. 

This is a serious academic assignment involving strong academics, music, sport and the ability to inspire ambition, passion and confidence in both children. The role is not suited to tutoring couples.

HOURS AND HOLIDAYS

The Tutor will typically work from Monday to Friday for an average of 40 hours per week, with preparation time in addition. The Tutor will be entitled to at least nine weeks off per annum.

The Tutor should follow a structured timetable as much as possible but should look to adjust this to fit with the children’s needs. It is essential that the Tutor collaborates with the Client in overall child management responsibilities.

ACCOMMODATION, TRAVEL, AND MISCELLANEOUS

The Tutor will be provided with furnished accommodation on the Client's estate. They will likely have their own bedroom and bathroom but may be expected to share the building with another member of staff. 

It is unlikely that this role will include much travel in the short-term. However, later on the family may relocate to other parts of the US for short periods, or opt to spend some time abroad. When the Tutor accompanies them, all travel and accommodation costs will be covered. 

A car will be provided for the Tutor at the house in Massachusetts unless the Tutor is able to bring their own.

The successful candidate will offer more than the minimum requirements of this role. He or she will be a superb educator and role model: educated and polished, with excellent manners and personal values.

The Tutor should be fit and healthy, a non-smoker

The Tutor must have permission to work in the USA, and to be able to travel there despite restrictions. This means they will likely be a US or dual US/UK national, or a Briton who already meets the exemptions for travel.

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

tijobs.net/501