Elementary Special Education Tutor

Thrive is seeking a special education tutor to work independently with two students in different families and locations. You'll provide one hour per week with each student—a 4th grader with ASD and ADHD who needs structured literacy and early reading support, and a 3rd grader who needs individualized academic instruction across multiple areas. Both students benefit from calm, structured teaching and tutors who can assess needs independently and design responsive instruction.

This is hands-on tutoring work: you assess each student's current skills and learning profile, develop an instructional plan, implement it, monitor progress, and adjust based on what you observe. You work directly with families and are expected to manage the planning and instruction independently.

What You'll Do

• Assess each student's current academic level, learning style, and support needs to establish instructional baselines and priorities.
• Develop and implement a structured literacy program for the 4th grader using evidence-based reading instruction practices; address skill gaps in phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, and comprehension.
• Provide individualized academic instruction for the 3rd grader based on identified needs, which may span literacy, numeracy, foundational skills, or other areas the family prioritizes.
• Teach explicitly with clear instruction, modeling, guided practice, and independent application; break concepts into manageable steps.
• Create predictable, calm learning routines that support focus and engagement for students with ASD and ADHD.
• Monitor progress through observation, informal assessment, and data collection; adjust instruction when progress slows or new needs emerge.
• Communicate regularly with each family about student progress, instructional focus, and adjustments to the plan.

Our Approach

At Thrive, we believe special education tutoring should be grounded in what each student actually needs—not what a standard curriculum prescribes. You assess the student, identify their strengths and gaps, and build instruction around their learning profile. That means explicit teaching, clear structure, and the flexibility to adjust when something isn't working.

We're looking for a tutor who brings both expertise and responsiveness. You understand how to teach students with ASD and ADHD. You know how to create the calm, structured environment they need to learn. And you're willing to look at whether your approach is working and change it when it's not.

We're Looking for Someone Who...

• Has direct experience providing special education instruction or tutoring to students with ASD and/or ADHD.
• Knows evidence-based, structured literacy practices and early reading instruction (or has strong willingness to develop this expertise for the 4th grader).
• Can assess student skills and design instruction independently rather than follow a preset curriculum.
• Teaches explicitly and adjusts instruction for students with different learning profiles.
• Creates structured, predictable learning environments where students feel supported and safe.
• Builds strong relationships with families and communicates clearly about student progress.
• Is responsive and willing to adjust your approach based on how each student responds to instruction.
• Has sound professional judgment about pacing, complexity, and how to build confidence in students who may have experienced academic difficulty.
• Is reliable, punctual, and able to manage two separate family relationships and student needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Special education credential, certification, or degree.
• Direct experience with structured literacy programs or evidence-based reading instruction (Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Fundations, or similar).
• Experience supporting students with autism spectrum disorder and knowledge of ASD-specific instructional strategies.
• Background in speech-language pathology or experience supporting students with apraxia of speech.
• Experience with ADHD and understanding of how attention differences affect learning.
• Private tutoring or home-based education experience.

Professional Standards

• Current background check required; Thrive facilitates this process
• Verifiable references from prior teaching, tutoring, or academic roles
• Strong professionalism, reliability, discretion, and communication
• Commitment to providing consistent, high-quality support throughout the school year

Compensation

• $60–$90/hour, commensurate with experience and depth of special education expertise
• Competitive compensation, with opportunities for rate increases based on experience, performance, and continued work with Thrive
• Consistent recurring weekly schedule across two students
• Ongoing placement opportunities with Thrive based on availability and fit

Logistics

• Locations: Whites Creek (1x/week) and Whites Bend (1x/week) in greater Nashville area
• Schedule: 1 hour per student, on separate days and times (flexible arrangement)
• Total commitment: 2 hours/week
• Start Date: ASAP
• Scheduling: Both families have flexibility and are open to establishing times that work for you

Support

• Personalized matching—Thrive vets families thoroughly before introductions, so your time is spent with qualified, serious clients
• Dedicated placement coordinator throughout the hiring process
• Professional development and instructional support as needs evolve
• Access to Thrive's educator network and resources
• Ongoing placement opportunities with Thrive Education Partners

Why This Role

This is independent, meaningful work. You assess and plan for two students you know well, see genuine progress, and have autonomy over how instruction unfolds. Both families are serious about individualized support and will trust your professional judgment. The workload is manageable—just two students, two hours per week—which allows for real depth and responsiveness.

About Thrive

Thrive Education Partners connects exceptional educators with families seeking highly personalized, values-driven education.

Our placements go beyond traditional tutoring and classroom teaching. We thoughtfully match educators and families to create individualized learning experiences built on strong relationships and instruction that responds to how each student learns. Students strengthen academic skills, build confidence, and make meaningful progress toward their goals.

Thrive Education Partners is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on experience, skills, and business needs, without regard to any status protected by applicable law.