Hiring a governess

[Anonymous]

Just joking about the “governess” label, but seriously considering hiring a teacher for my kids next year if schools can’t have a reasonable plan in place. Anyone else do this or think about doing this? If wouldn’t be any more expensive than private anyway. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just joking about the “governess” label, but seriously considering hiring a teacher for my kids next year if schools can’t have a reasonable plan in place. Anyone else do this or think about doing this? If wouldn’t be any more expensive than private anyway. Thoughts?

Are you expecting to pay teacher salary and insurance, etc? I can see this being an attractive idea for a new teacher grad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just joking about the “governess” label, but seriously considering hiring a teacher for my kids next year if schools can’t have a reasonable plan in place. Anyone else do this or think about doing this? If wouldn’t be any more expensive than private anyway. Thoughts?

Are you expecting to pay teacher salary and insurance, etc? I can see this being an attractive idea for a new teacher grad.[/And

A teacher’s salary and insurance would still be less than many UMC families pay for a nanny.

[Anonymous]

I earn 70-80,000 as an independent school teacher (apart from benefits) and I'm probably underpaid. Maybe an entry level teacher? Would you espect them to teach all subjects to your child, or a group of children? Live in (like a traditional governess) or Zoom? I am not sure it would be as cheap as you think unless you made some compromises.

[Anonymous]

Would this be in addition to private school tuition or instead of?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just joking about the “governess” label, but seriously considering hiring a teacher for my kids next year if schools can’t have a reasonable plan in place. Anyone else do this or think about doing this? If wouldn’t be any more expensive than private anyway. Thoughts?

Are you expecting to pay teacher salary and insurance, etc? I can see this being an attractive idea for a new teacher grad.

Yes. FWIW we live in a low cost of living area and teacher salaries average $50k. Starting is more like $35k. Seems reasonable enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would this be in addition to private school tuition or instead of?

Instead of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I earn 70-80,000 as an independent school teacher (apart from benefits) and I'm probably underpaid. Maybe an entry level teacher? Would you espect them to teach all subjects to your child, or a group of children? Live in (like a traditional governess) or Zoom? I am not sure it would be as cheap as you think unless you made some compromises.

In-person. We could do live in but rent is so cheap here I don’t think it is necessary.

[Anonymous]

As for subjects, our 2 kids are elementary age. I wouldn’t expect specials like music or languages.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I have considered hiring a nanny with a degree (not a licensed teacher) who can supervise and supplement the school's remote learning. I know there are "homeschool" teachers for hire but I almost certainly can't afford that. My younger elementary child cannot do remote school without help, and I can't keep working odd hours into 2021.

[Anonymous]

We would do it full time if we weren’t paying for private school tuition. We can’t afford that, so for now we’re paying hourly as a consistent part time job, with a teachers assistant who is still being paid by the school (so not in need of full time salary). I have no idea what we’ll do for fall, as i don’t think she’d be available full time when DH and I are both back to work.

[Anonymous]

I think it makes sense for some families. It can be equated to a governess, or homeschooling or a one-room-schoolhouse type of arrangement with the benefit of full-time childcare so that the WFH or WOH parents can...work! I am not a fan of homeschooling in general because I think there is so much socialization that is part of the normal school environment but I can see the attraction for some families with younger children. I think this would be more of a long-term solution rather than stop-gap. The governess or teacher would definitely want job stability and benefits.

OTH a good au pair or a good nanny who is already in place with a family is able to monitor online learning and provide support for kids. If you have one or you can get one then that is probably a better option rather than risk losing your kid's spot at the private school you've chosen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just joking about the “governess” label, but seriously considering hiring a teacher for my kids next year if schools can’t have a reasonable plan in place. Anyone else do this or think about doing this? If wouldn’t be any more expensive than private anyway. Thoughts?

Are you expecting to pay teacher salary and insurance, etc? I can see this being an attractive idea for a new teacher grad.

Yes. FWIW we live in a low cost of living area and teacher salaries average $50k. Starting is more like $35k. Seems reasonable enough.

Plus you only have one or two student and no administrative red tape. i could see a retiring teacher liking this too.

[Anonymous]

What curriculum would you follow? Or would it be very 19th century? Walks in the park and nature journals?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What curriculum would you follow? Or would it be very 19th century? Walks in the park and nature journals?

For 2 elementary kids, it probably doesn't matter much. Especially if they already know how to read. Some reading time, some math workbooks, walks, picking up leaves, a couple science projects from kits...seems OK.