Private Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Role Overview

We're seeking an exceptional educator to work one-on-one with an 11-year-old student in a highly personalized learning environment designed around his individual needs, strengths, and long-term growth.

This is an opportunity to do the kind of teaching that brings many educators into the profession in the first place. Rather than managing a classroom of students with competing needs, you'll have the time and autonomy to build meaningful relationships, personalize instruction, and help one student rediscover confidence in learning.

The family is deeply invested in providing a thoughtful educational experience and is looking for an educator who can become a trusted partner in their son's academic journey. While the primary focus will be on their oldest child, there is potential to support his younger sibling as the family's educational plans evolve.

You'll primarily work with an intelligent, thoughtful middle school student who enjoys meaningful conversations and naturally connects with adults. Recent health challenges, combined with a difficult transition into middle school, interrupted his educational progress and contributed to increased anxiety around learning.

Despite these setbacks, he is bright, capable, and naturally curious. His greatest academic need is mathematics, where inconsistent instruction has left him several years behind—not because of ability, but because of gaps in educational continuity. He thrives with calm, structured instruction, clear expectations, and an educator who believes in his potential while meeting him exactly where he is.

The family also has a younger elementary-aged child who is currently thriving in a traditional school setting. While this position will initially focus on one student, there may be opportunities to support both children as the family's educational needs evolve over time.

The family values meaningful learning over excessive screen time, consistency over constant change, and academic growth alongside confidence and curiosity. They are looking for an educator who will become a trusted partner in creating a personalized learning experience that helps their children flourish.

• Deliver highly personalized, one-on-one instruction tailored to the student's strengths, learning profile, and academic goals.
• Diagnose learning gaps—particularly in mathematics—and develop a thoughtful plan to rebuild foundational skills and confidence.
• Design, adapt, and implement curriculum that balances academic rigor with student engagement.
• Create structured daily routines that support independence, organization, and reduced academic anxiety.
• Differentiate instruction based on ongoing assessment and the student's evolving needs.
• Foster curiosity, resilience, and a positive relationship with learning through encouraging, responsive teaching.
• Communicate regularly with parents, providing thoughtful updates, observations, and recommendations.
• Collaborate with the family and outside providers, when appropriate, to ensure a cohesive educational experience.

You will thrive in this role if you:

• Build strong relationships while maintaining consistent expectations and structure.
• Have a deep understanding of middle school mathematics and enjoy helping students rebuild foundational skills.
• Personalize instruction naturally rather than relying on one-size-fits-all curriculum.
• Remain calm, patient, and encouraging with students who experience anxiety or have had difficult educational experiences.
• Enjoy partnering closely with families and communicating openly and professionally.
• Value discussion, hands-on learning, and direct instruction over screen-based teaching.
• Bring excellent organization, professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment to a private-family setting.

Requirements

Credentials

• Bachelor's degree preferred; degree in Education or a subject-matter field strongly preferred
• State teaching certification or licensure required (K-12 or subject-specific)
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written Spanish required
• Candidates with equivalent demonstrated experience will be considered

Experience

• Minimum 3 years classroom teaching, private tutoring, or homeschool instruction experience
• Proven ability to teach across multiple subjects and grade levels (all K-12 subjects considered)
• Experience working with diverse learners, including students with learning differences, gifted learners, or nontraditional educational backgrounds

Skills

• Curriculum design: ability to select, adapt, or build lesson plans from a variety of frameworks (classical, Charlotte Mason, project-based, or traditional)
• Differentiated instruction: comfortable adjusting pace, depth, and method to match the student
• Assessment and progress tracking: ability to set measurable academic goals and report progress clearly to parents
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with digital learning tools, educational platforms, and standard productivity software

Professional Standards

• Current background check (required; Thrive facilitates)
• Verifiable references from prior teaching or tutoring roles
• Professionalism, discretion, and adaptability -- you are working inside someone's home

Benefits

Compensation

• $60,000 - $80,000/yr, commensurate with experience, credentials, and placement scope
• Compensation is negotiated directly with the family; Thrive advocates for fair market rates on your behalf

Logistics

• Location: Wilmette, IL (in-home)
• Schedule: Monday–Thursday, approximately 9:00 AM–2:30 PM (flexibility for enrichment & extracurriculars)
• Start Date: August 2026 preferred for setup and planning; academic start early September

Work Environment

• One-on-one or small-group instruction -- no classroom management overhead
• Deep, ongoing relationships with students and families rather than high-volume throughput
• Schedule flexibility that mirrors the academic calendar you design together
• Opportunity to teach the way you believe learning actually works

Support

• Personalized matching -- Thrive vets families thoroughly before introductions, so your time is spent with qualified, serious clients
• Dedicated placement coordinator throughout the process
• Access to Thrive's educator network, resources, and ongoing placement opportunities
• Long-term career development: many of our educators build lasting careers across successive placements