Special Education Tutor

We're seeking an experienced Reading Specialist to support a bright, homeschooled elementary student with autism through highly personalized, one-on-one reading instruction. This role is focused exclusively on helping the student develop foundational reading skills, strengthen comprehension, and build the confidence needed to become a more independent reader. This is an opportunity for an educator who values individualized instruction and enjoys adapting their approach to meet the needs of a unique learner. You'll have the freedom to design instruction, select appropriate materials, and use your professional judgment to determine what works best. The family is looking for a thoughtful educator who can combine evidence-based literacy instruction with creativity, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to student growth. Student Profile You'll be working with a homeschooled student entering second grade who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. The student has strong receptive language skills and has made meaningful progress through individualized, one-on-one instruction. She responds best to engaging, multisensory teaching that is tailored to her unique learning profile. While she understands individual letter sounds and has demonstrated success in other learning areas, she continues to experience challenges with phonemic awareness, sound blending, decoding, and early reading development. Previous reading interventions have produced mixed results, reinforcing the need for an educator who can thoughtfully adapt instruction rather than rely exclusively on a single program or methodology. The family is seeking a reading specialist who can identify what is working, adjust when needed, and create a learning experience that builds both skills and confidence. The family is highly invested in the student's progress and values clear, professional communication. They are looking for an educator who can partner collaboratively with parents, explain instructional decisions, and provide ongoing insight into the student's growth. What You'll Do Design and deliver individualized reading instruction based on the student's strengths, needs, and learning profile Develop a targeted plan focused on phonemic awareness, sound blending, decoding, fluency, and reading comprehension Select, adapt, and create instructional materials as needed Utilize multisensory and evidence-based reading strategies to support engagement and retention Monitor progress through ongoing informal assessment and adjust instruction accordingly Build a positive learning relationship that encourages confidence, persistence, and ownership of learning Communicate regularly with the family regarding progress, observations, and instructional recommendations Provide practical reinforcement strategies and activities that can be used between tutoring sessions What Makes Someone Successful You are a certified Reading Specialist, Reading Interventionist, or have substantial experience providing literacy intervention You have a Special Education background and direct experience teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder You understand how to adapt instruction when a student is not responding to a particular methodology or program You are warm, patient, and relationship-oriented while maintaining clear structure and expectations You communicate professionally and confidently with highly engaged parents You are reflective, flexible, and comfortable adjusting your approach based on student progress and feedback

Logistics & Compensation Location:

Naperville, IL (In-Person)

Schedule:

Approximately 1 hour per week to start

Scheduling:

Flexible summer scheduling with greater consistency anticipated beginning in the fall

Compensation:

$50-$80 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications

Employment Type:

Independent Contractor (1099)

Start Timeline:

Family is prepared to move forward within the next 1-2 weeks Why This Role This is a highly focused opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a student's reading journey. Rather than working within the constraints of a classroom or standardized program, you'll have the opportunity to develop a truly individualized approach based on what helps this student learn best. For the right educator, this role offers the chance to partner closely with a committed family, apply specialized expertise in both literacy and autism support, and help a student build the skills and confidence needed to become a successful reader. About Thrive Thrive Education Partners connects exceptional educators with families seeking highly personalized, values-driven educational support. Our placements go beyond traditional tutoring. We help create thoughtful learning environments where students can grow academically, build confidence, and experience the benefits of individualized instruction tailored to their unique strengths and needs.

Pay:

$50.00 - $80.00 per hour

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Application Question(s): Have you worked in a private home or family-based education setting before?

Education:

Master's (Preferred)

Experience:

teaching students with

Autism:

3 years (Required) teaching: 3 years (Required)

License/Certification:

teaching license (Required) Ability to

Commute:

Naperville, IL 60540 (Required)

Work Location:

In person