Private Elementary Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

This is an opportunity to become the lead educator for two curious, creative homeschooled siblings whose family believes learning should inspire wonder, build confidence, and prepare children to think deeply about the world around them.

Rather than stepping into a traditional tutoring role, you'll become the educational leader of the family's homeschool program. You'll design engaging learning experiences, guide curriculum decisions, and create an environment where both children feel challenged, supported, and genuinely excited to learn.

The parents are deeply invested in their children's education, but they're looking for an experienced educator to take ownership of planning and instruction so Mom can transition from being both parent and teacher into a collaborative educational partner. Success in this role means not only helping two children thrive academically, but also giving their family the confidence that learning is in capable hands.

You'll work primarily with two homeschooled elementary-aged siblings who learn very differently but share a love of discovering how the world works.

One student, entering third grade , is a thoughtful, kind, and academically advanced learner. She reads above grade level, grasps new concepts quickly, and approaches learning with care and intention. She's naturally reserved in new situations and can become frustrated when something doesn't come easily. Helping her develop confidence, resilience, and a healthy willingness to make mistakes will be just as important as advancing her academics.

Her younger sibling, entering first grade , is an energetic, imaginative builder who loves robotics, engineering, science experiments, and creating things with his hands. He learns best through movement, exploration, and real-world application. Traditional worksheets rarely capture his attention, but engaging projects and meaningful challenges do. An educator who understands active learners and can channel curiosity into deep learning will help him flourish.

Their family has intentionally built a homeschool lifestyle centered around flexibility, exploration, travel, sports, creativity, and meaningful experiences. They value critical thinking over memorization, curiosity over compliance, and raising children who become thoughtful, capable problem-solvers.

• Serve as the lead educator for the family's homeschool program.
• Design engaging, individualized instruction for both students while differentiating for their unique learning styles.
• Select, adapt, and sequence curriculum that balances strong academics with creativity, exploration, and real-world learning.
• Create project-based and hands-on learning experiences that integrate literacy, math, science, history, engineering, technology, and the arts.
• Foster curiosity, critical thinking, and independent problem-solving by encouraging students to ask thoughtful questions and make meaningful connections.
• Support executive functioning, confidence, resilience, and healthy learning habits alongside academic growth.
• Incorporate museums, libraries, nature experiences, community resources, and educational outings into instruction whenever appropriate.
• Monitor progress, adjust instruction as students grow, and communicate regularly with parents about learning goals and next steps.
• Recommend curriculum, educational resources, enrichment opportunities, and experiences that continue strengthening the family's homeschool program.

You'll likely thrive in this role if you:

• Love designing learning experiences that are engaging, creative, and memorable.
• Believe your greatest job is helping children become independent thinkers rather than simply teaching content.
• Enjoy building authentic relationships with children while providing thoughtful structure and high expectations.
• Have the confidence and experience to lead curriculum decisions and instructional planning independently.
• Are proactive, organized, and communicate openly with parents as collaborative partners.
• Find joy in nurturing curiosity, confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

This role is probably not the right fit if you prefer highly scripted curriculum, worksheet-heavy instruction, or a traditional classroom model where flexibility and individualized learning are limited.

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

• $30,000 - $42,000+/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: Weston, TN (in-home)
• Students: Two homeschool students entering 1st and 3rd grade
• Schedule: Approximately 12 hours of direct instruction per week , typically Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. The family values flexibility and is happy to adjust the schedule around extracurricular activities, educational outings, and occasional travel when appropriate.
• Start Date: Late 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