Florida & Pennsylvania (FLA 0225)

Currently in the 7^th Grade, the student is the oldest of five children. He is kind-hearted, reserved, and boasts a great sense of dry humor. He is unaccustomed to being homeschooled, having attended traditional schools thus far. He is very self-aware. It is important to him to feel like he is a part of something bigger. Although he is naturally introverted, social interaction and having a friend group is very important to him. Like his father, he is interested in programming and has done some work in Scratch. He loves space and talking about scientific things, and can really go down the rabbit hole regarding scientific concepts that hold his attention. He also loves to read, and has a strong affection for history and Greek mythology.

The student’s hobbies have included chess, baseball, basketball, video games, and running. Like most people, he particularly enjoys activities and subjects that he is good at and tends to avoid those things that are more challenging to him. His patience is further tested when things appear boring or less achievable.

Academically, the student is highly numerate and enjoys identifying solutions for others. In his previous school in New York, teachers had high standards for students. In Florida that is less so, and the student became bored. Although he is in 7th grade, he has begun taking a number of 8th grade classes online to advance his education. He has also been doing the Russian School of Math co-curricularly. It will be an important aspect of this role to regain that level of intensity and pressure which the student previously enjoyed while attending school in New York. There’s so much more that he could be doing, and it will be to his benefit to be challenged both in school subjects and in co- and extra-curricular topics.

To date, the student has been enrolled in the standard US educational system, following a traditional path of study. The student is bright and often thinks outside the box. He has a unique take on situations and does not mind being corrected when he can trust that an authority figure has his best interests at heart: he recognizes that when people tell him he is wrong, it is a moment of growth for him.

The student responds most positively to upbeat, fair teachers. They get the work done, but don’t strictly lecture; he likes Socratic styles of instruction. They are helpful, generous with their time, and trustworthy. He cannot stand dishonesty and would always prefer friendly, honest conversations regarding any issues or problems. Teachers who drag on and don’t accomplish goals while being impatient are among his least favorite.

The best kind of Tutor will have an impeccable academic track record and an excellent ability to explain the most complicated things in a way that he can understand. He really enjoys understanding difficult scientific topics, and so a Tutor with a broad knowledge of STEM is likely to make a very positive impression on him. Beyond the academic tutoring, the Tutor should be personable, unpretentious and fun, being a fantastic role-model to this young man. He needs to feel at ease, valued and supported by his Tutor, preferably sharing interests and wit. Mentorship is a very important part of this role, and the student should be led to excellence not only in academics but also through the instilling of strong positive values from his Tutor as a role model.

For the student to achieve the best possible results, his parents seek a Tutor who will tailor resources and their delivery to address his specific learning needs. They would like him to become increasingly more dynamic and able to apply his knowledge with confidence. They hope that his comprehension skills and ability to analyze information for himself will become second nature, in addition to writing extended essays and using a range of literary devices.

The ideal Tutor will assist the student in pursuing an asynchronous online school curriculum. The online curriculum will serve as a basis upon which to build the student’s education, and the Tutor will supplement his school curriculum, creating bespoke material and using mechanisms to encourage easier understanding. The student is highly able and has the potential to flourish under the right direction and influence. While the family do not necessarily favor a Tutor following a particular political ethos, they do expect their own beliefs and lifestyle to be respected.

The Tutor is also encouraged to advocate for participation in community-based service and will essentially serve as an inspirational mentor to the student. Solid experience in teaching the American curriculum is paramount. The Tutor will be innovative in helping to break down and confront any difficulties and ultimately help the student to progress alongside or beyond his peers. His parents consider their children to be the most important effort of their lives and the center of their family’s purpose, and the Tutor can expect them to assist actively with the student’s education. They do not intend to micromanage his education, and of course the Tutor will have liberty to direct educational activities, but his parents will always be ready to serve as a resource and help to support the student’s studies.

In addition to the primary role of teaching the oldest child, some time will be devoted to his younger siblings. Three siblings who will be in 2nd, 4th, and 6th grades would benefit from some attention from the Tutor as time allows. As such, it would be helpful if the Tutor also has experience teaching elementary and middle school age students.

The right teacher must be energetic and physically fit as they will spend up to 8 hours daily working with the students. They should expect an average of 40 hours of contact time per a week, with preparation in addition.

The Tutor will be entitled to two consecutive days off per week, normally at the weekend, but it is essential that they understand the need to be flexible regarding the family’s travel plans and other commitments.

The Tutor will have a minimum of 9 weeks off per annum, to be taken at times agreed upon with the family. The Tutor will be flexible with respect to any changes in schedule, be they travel-related or otherwise and will adapt accordingly. The Client will strive to give up to two weeks’ notice of any planned alterations.

The Client will provide a private, furnished residence for the Tutor in Florida. In Pennsylvania, it is more likely the Tutor will have quarters in a spare room in the family home. The use of a car will be provided when one is required, and it is likely that the Tutor will provide transportation to the students as needed for activities.

While no specific travel plans currently exist, it is contemplated that some may occur, especially to destinations that can enrich the educational experience.

The tutoring will primarily occur in the family home in Florida, and sometimes in the family home in Pennsylvania.

The Tutor must be a fit and healthy non-smoker – active and energetic with a love for the outdoors; the kind of person who always makes the most of their environment to enhance teaching and learning opportunities.