Tutor Job and Vacancy
An experienced, energetic, fit and broadly able Spanish and English speaking lower education Tutor is required to fill a long-term home schooling role starting in mid-August, 2016.
There is a significant element of travel involved in this role; the position is based in the U.S. but will involve frequent travel with the family including extensive time in Mexico. Applicants must be comfortable working in a variety of locations. The role involves full-time home-schooling two intelligent and inquisitive children, a boy who is 6 and a girl who is 5, and will suit an energetic, enthusiastic, fit and inspiring Tutor.
Role of the Tutor
The role the successful candidate has is particularly broad and carries a high level of responsibility. The ideal Tutor will have a thorough understanding of educational theories, especially Montessori. They will be skilled in curriculum design, able to identify the best parts of a range of curriculum in order to create a customized program, and the depth of knowledge and understanding offered by top level international private schools. Fluency in English and Spanish is mandatory.
This long-term role, renewable on an annual basis, may see the children continue in home-schooling until they are 18. Equally, the children may be integrated much earlier. As such, the Tutor needs to keep their learning on par with, if not slightly ahead of their peers in schools. The Tutor must be an excellent record-keeper should evidence of work covered be required at a later date. This should include any observed strengths and weaknesses in both children as well as recording of completed work, projects, vocabulary learned and any excursions or activities undertaken. There is considerable scope for themed learning in this role, but it needs to be well planned and accurately recorded so as to be credible to any potential school admissions board in the future.
Although based in the U.S. and Mexico, the family intends to travel the globe. The Tutor should embrace any opportunity for travel or visiting a new city, taking the children to local exhibitions and sites of interest, and using their locations as a basis for their lessons. Although the children will be traveling extensively, it is important that they make and maintain friendships with other children. The Tutor will need to actively seek out opportunities for the children to socialize with others of a similar age group in activities locally, or to incorporate other local children in activities planned for them.
The Tutor should have a wide range of extracurricular skills and interests that they can share with the family and children. This can include anything from playing a musical instrument to recreational archery, expert knowledge about art history to a talent in cartoon creation. Being comfortable in nature – from the mountains to the beach – is critical as the family has a very active lifestyle that involves skiing, hiking, biking, swimming, etc. The successful candidate should be upbeat, energetic, kind and caring. They should be a natural communicator, able to explain concepts simply and clearly, and able to encourage a love of learning in both children. They should be interested in the world around them, and their enthusiasm for any given subject should be infectious.
This role requires a resourceful, intelligent and knowledgeable educator who is relaxed and easy-going with a sunny disposition on the one hand while firm, encouraging and direct on the other. He or she should set a good example for the children through their behavior and conduct as much as through their academic abilities. Although the family and working environment may be relaxed compared to formal schooling, and even by comparison to many private service positions, it is essential that the Tutor remain professional at all times and respectful of the family’s privacy.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Required - B.S. or B.A., or higher
- Prefer elementary education, early childhood development, or equivalent
- Prefer MACTE Montessori trained and certified
- Teacher certification and/or license required
- Previous teaching experience required
- Understanding and proficiency in relevant technology
- Knowledge of current education and instructional methodologies and techniques
- Knowledge of theories and practices of early childhood development
- Spanish speaking Required
- First Aid and CPR certifications an advantage
Key Competencies
- Communication skills
- Planning and organizing
- Problem-solving skills
- Judgment
- Patience and stress tolerance
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Creativity
- Confidentiality
Hours and Holidays
The Tutor is expected to work an average of 40 hours per week contact time, with preparation time in addition. For the most part the hours will follow a stable timetable agreed with the parents, but the Tutor should also allow for flexibility, especially regarding travel. The tutoring periods are not expected to be all formal study and should include excursions, periods of outdoor activities and plenty of hands-on project work. Travel time does not form part of the tutoring time.
The Tutor will normally get two consecutive days off per week, but this will not always be possible due to travel commitments. Also, the Tutor should be aware that days off may not be the same days from week to week. Flexibility in this regard is essential.
The Tutor is entitled a paid-time off allowance of 17 days per annum (pro-rated from date of hire), and is expected to be avilable to work on U.S. public holidays unless these are part of their paid-time off, except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day which will be additional paid days off providing a total of 20 available paid days off per annum.
Travel and Miscellaneous
When traveling, expenses such as airfare, accommodations, and meals eaten with the family will be paid by the family. The Tutor must ensure that he or she has the requisite travel and health insurance, has received the required vaccinations, and has the necessary visas.
The Tutor should be a non-smoker, lead a physically active lifestyle, and be healthy and fit. He or she should be engaging, have a good sense of humor and a sunny disposition, and yet be a serious educator who understands his or her responsibility in this important role.
Salary
Good salary for the right candidate
Position filled