I'm a single father, and I'm seeking homeschooling help for my daughter, age 5. My son is about 1.5 years old, and I’m hoping he may also be able participate as well pretty soon, but for now we can focus on the 5-year-old. These kids are absolutely the sweetest, kindest, most fun kids you may ever meet, although as the dad I guess I might be a little biased!
My daughter is pretty advanced, having read whole books by herself since she was age 3.5. I would guess her overall level is maybe around grade two, but I haven’t tested anything – I guess we’ll find out. By law, if I hire a homeschool teacher, the teacher needs be credentialed at the grade level being taught – presumably this means a multi-subject credential. Therefore, the absolute most important requirement for this job is that you be credentialed appropriately.
Qualifications:
• Credentialed to teach at grade 2 level. This is a firm requirement, and nonnegotiable.
• Ability to pass a background check. This is also an absolute requirement.
• Experience with curriculum development and customization, lesson planning, and strategic thinking and planning ability. We need to think about where my kids will be going to high school, college, and even graduate school – best to start planning early. But if you don’t have much experience in long-term educational planning, don’t let that stop you from applying – I don’t have much either.
• Understanding of current thinking in education, but comfortable with a curriculum that is flexible and not totally, uh, conventional. I think rules are useful, but it’s equally important to encourage creativity. You get the idea.
• Ability to manage high-energy kids!
• Wish list: Spanish language skills.
• Really dream skill: maybe some musical experience and teaching ability?
• Ability to travel would be outstanding, but this isn’t a showstopper. (I don't have any travel plans currently, but I would like to have the option if possible, possibly even internationally.)
Other considerations:
1. Scheduling is a bit flexible, but the state has a requirement of something like 175 days a year, with a minimum number of hours per day. Currently the 5-year-old is with her mom on weekends (Thursday night to Sunday night). So most likely, everything we do would have to be M to Th.
2. I haven’t purchased a homeschool curriculum yet, but I definitely will do so if we decide that’s the best plan. Or if you have lesson plans already prepared, we can do that as well. My daughter wants to be a scientist, so the curriculum should probably emphasize STEM subjects from the beginning (especially “S”). I would love to find ways to incorporate outdoor activities in the curriculum as much as possible.
Last point: my kids and their education are VERY important to me, so you would have my total support in all ways. If you need materials or equipment or technology or access to programs or whatever, I would provide anything that you reasonably recommend.
Thanks for reading, and please reply here with your resume or CV, license information, and any other thoughts you’d like to share. Or get in touch with any questions!
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