Educator Guide: How to Use NIVAA

From applying to your first posting to getting paid — everything you need to know about working as a NIVAA educator.

Step 1 — Create your profile

Your profile is how families will learn about you. A complete profile increases your chances of being matched. You can create one through the Apply page or by following an invitation link from a NIVAA coordinator.

1. Visit the Apply page and click Get Started.
2. Enter your name, email address, and create a password. This creates your account.
3. On the next step, add your teaching subjects. Select the stage (Primary / Secondary), level (P1–P6, Sec 1–4), and subject for each one you teach. You can add multiple.
4. Fill in your location, teaching area, available days and times, and languages you can teach in.
5. Write a short introduction about yourself — parents will read this. Include your experience, teaching style, and any special needs expertise.
6. Review your profile on the final step and submit.

Step 2 — Connect your Telegram account

NIVAA uses Telegram to send you session reminders and allow you to manage sessions on the go. Linking your account takes about 30 seconds.

1. After logging in, go to your profile or check your welcome email for a Telegram link.
2. Click the link — it will open Telegram and start a chat with the NIVAA bot.
3. Press Start in the Telegram chat. Your account is now linked.
4. You'll receive reminders 30 minutes before each session and notifications for new postings that match your profile.

Step 3 — Browse and apply to postings

Postings are tutoring requests from families. You can browse them in your Postings tab and apply to the ones that are a good fit.

1. Go to Postings in your educator dashboard.
2. Postings are grouped by how well they match your profile: Good Match (strong overlap on subject, timing, and location) and Other Opportunities (partial match).
3. Click any posting to see the child's level, subject, preferred timing, and location area.
4. If it suits you, click Apply. You can add a short note if you'd like.
5. Wait for the coordinator's decision. If selected, you'll receive a Telegram notification.

Step 4 — Manage your sessions

Once you're matched with a family, your sessions will appear in the Sessions tab of your dashboard. This is your main workspace for managing your teaching schedule.

1. Go to Sessions in your educator dashboard.
2. The Next 7 days tab shows your rolling week of sessions. Tap a session to see the student, session type, and location details.
3. Before each session, check in using the Check In button — this opens 30 minutes before your session starts.
4. After the session ends, use Check Out to log that you've finished. The family will receive a prompt to confirm.
5. If you need to log an extra session (such as exam preparation that wasn't pre-scheduled), use Log Session to add it manually.

Step 5 — Session check-in and check-out

You can check in and out via your dashboard on a phone or computer, or using the NIVAA Telegram bot. Both work exactly the same way.

Step 6 — View your students

Go to Students in your dashboard to see all the families you're currently working with. The My Students tab shows:

• The child's first name and current school level.
• The subject you're teaching them.
• Your upcoming sessions together.
• The area you'll be tutoring in.

Step 7 — Get paid

Your earnings are calculated at the end of each billing cycle based on confirmed sessions. Here's how the payout process works.

1. After each session is confirmed by the family, it's added to your payout record.
2. At the end of each cycle, your coordinator finalises the payout.
3. You'll receive a Telegram notification with your payout summary: total sessions, hours, and amount.
4. You can also view your earnings breakdown at any time in the Pay tab of your dashboard.

Step 8 — Cancel or reschedule a session

Life happens. If you need to change a session, do it as early as possible.

1. On Telegram, send /sessions to see your upcoming sessions.
2. Select the session you need to change and choose Cancel or Request Reschedule.
3. You'll be asked to provide a reason. The family will be notified and asked to acknowledge the change.
4. Coordinators are also notified so they can assist if needed.

Quick reference