We are looking for a responsible, college-educated, high-energy person to help mentor, care for, support, and educate our 15-year-old homeschooled daughter. The position will begin with a part-time training and shadowing period (5-8 hours a week during the workday) until early January, when it will convert to full time (at least 40 hours per week).
Our daughter is an easy-going, non-speaking person who communicates using alternative methods. She loves music, taking long walks, and reading, and she's definitely a teenager (lots of eye rolls at her parents!). The part-time paid training period will involve trust-building and extensive training in how to support her fine-motor and sensory disabilities as well as her educational and communication needs. Once the full-time job starts in January, it will involve adapting and implementing 10th grade curricula in math, reading, writing, science, history, etc., and administering lessons for at least 2-3 hours per day. Outside of "school," you would be expected to (in part) get out of the house and into the community, take long walks or hike, explore new activities, visit museums, read, and support her growth in other ways, including helping her develop personal care skills and keeping her mind busy.
Experience with disability is not required. The successful candidate will be patient, kind, dependable, responsible, reliable, creative, and conscientious. They will have a strong educational background with at least a bachelor's degree. Being a self-starter and being able to take initiative with little direct supervision after the training period are essential.
Must be able to walk at least one mile without stopping. People with dyslexia have found some aspects of the job difficult (including the essential tasks of reading to her and supporting her text-based communication).
We live about a 10-minute walk from the Ballston Metro in Arlington. Starting pay is $25-$30/hour, depending on skills, education, and experience. We strongly prefer people who are looking for long-term, multi-year positions. We are an LGBTQ+ friendly household. Must be legal to work in the US, supply at least three references, and be willing to go through a background check if hired.
If you are interested, please reply with a bit about a) why you are interested in the position, b) your background, and c) your availability. If you have a resume, include that too. Thanks!
