Privacy Policy
Plain-language details about the information we collect, why, and the choices you have.
This Privacy Policy explains how TeachUSVI (“TeachUSVI”, “we”, “us” or “our”), the independent operator of the website at www.teachusvi.net (the “Site”), collects, uses, shares and protects personal information when you visit the Site, contact us, subscribe to our newsletter or use our consulting services (together, the “Services”). We have written it in plain language because we believe you should be able to understand exactly what happens to your data.
The short version: we collect only what you choose to send us, we use it only to respond to you and provide the Services you ask for, we never sell or rent it, we do not use advertising or tracking cookies, and you can ask us to delete it at any time.
1. Who we are
TeachUSVI is a privately operated, independent information and consulting service for educators interested in working in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We are not a government agency and are not affiliated with the Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE), the Virgin Islands Board of Education (VIBOE) or any other public body. For the purposes of data-protection laws, TeachUSVI is the “controller” (or “business”) responsible for the personal information described in this policy.
You can contact us about privacy at any time at [email protected].
2. Information we collect
2.1 Information you give us
- Contact form: your name, email address, optional phone number, your role (for example “certified teacher”), the service you are interested in, your preferred island and the content of your message.
- Newsletter sign-up: your email address.
- Consulting services: if you become a client, information you choose to share so we can help you — for example your résumé, a description of your qualifications, your intended timeline and notes from our sessions. We ask you not to send official transcripts, Social Security numbers, bank details, passwords or scans of identity documents; we do not need them.
- Correspondence: any emails or messages you send us and our replies.
2.2 Information collected automatically
- Server logs. Like almost every website, the servers that host the Site automatically record technical information when pages are requested: IP address, date and time, the page requested, referring page, browser type and operating system. These logs are used for security, troubleshooting and preventing abuse, and are kept only for a limited period (see section 8).
- Browser storage. The Site stores a few small preferences in your own browser (not on our servers) — for example your cookie choice and the progress of interactive checklists. See our Cookie Policy for the full list.
We do not use Google Analytics, advertising pixels, fingerprinting, session-replay tools or any other tracking technology on the Site.
2.3 Information from third parties
We do not buy personal data and we do not receive information about you from data brokers. If someone refers you to us (for example a colleague), they may give us your name and email with your permission.
3. How we use your information
| Purpose | Information used | Legal basis (where GDPR/UK GDPR applies) |
|---|---|---|
| Responding to your enquiry and booking discovery calls | Contact-form details, correspondence | Steps taken at your request before entering a contract; legitimate interests |
| Providing consulting services you purchase | Information you share as a client | Performance of a contract |
| Sending our monthly newsletter | Email address | Consent (you can withdraw at any time) |
| Keeping the Site secure and working | Server logs | Legitimate interests |
| Keeping business and tax records | Client and invoicing details | Legal obligation |
| Improving our guides (e.g. common questions) | De-identified summaries of enquiries | Legitimate interests |
We will never use your information to make automated decisions that have legal or similarly significant effects on you, and we do not create marketing profiles.
4. How we share information
We do not sell your personal information and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. We only share it:
- With service providers who help us run the Site and the Services — for example web hosting, email, form-processing, newsletter delivery, video-call and accounting providers. They may only use the data to provide services to us and must protect it.
- With your instruction — for example if you ask us to introduce you to a third party.
- For legal reasons — if required by law, court order or to protect the rights, safety or property of you, us or others.
- In a business transfer — if TeachUSVI is reorganized, sold or merged, personal information may transfer to the successor, which will remain bound by this policy.
We never pass your details to schools, government agencies or employers without your explicit request.
5. Third-party content loaded by the Site
To keep the Site fast and free, some content is loaded from trusted third parties. When your browser loads it, that party receives your IP address and standard browser information:
- Wikimedia Commons (upload.wikimedia.org) — freely licensed photographs. See the Wikimedia Foundation Privacy Policy.
- Open-Meteo (api.open-meteo.com) — the live weather widget on island pages. No cookies are set. See Open-Meteo's terms and privacy information.
Fonts, scripts and styles are hosted on our own server — we do not load Google Fonts or other third-party CDNs. Social-sharing buttons are plain links: nothing is sent to Facebook, X or LinkedIn unless you click one.
6. External links
The Site links to official agencies and other websites we think are useful. We are not responsible for their privacy practices; please read their policies.
7. Children's privacy
The Site and Services are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 (or under 16 in the European Economic Area). If you believe a child has sent us information, contact us and we will delete it.
8. How long we keep information
- Enquiries that do not become client relationships: up to 12 months after our last contact.
- Client records: for the duration of the engagement and up to 3 years afterward, or longer where tax or legal rules require.
- Newsletter subscribers: until you unsubscribe; we then keep only a suppression record so we don't email you again.
- Server logs: normally no longer than 30 days unless needed to investigate a security incident.
9. How we protect information
We use HTTPS encryption, reputable service providers, strong unique passwords and two-factor authentication on our accounts, and we limit access to personal information to people who need it. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we take reasonable measures appropriate to the sensitivity of the data. If a data breach affects your information, we will notify you and the relevant authorities as required by law.
10. Your rights and choices
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you and receive a copy;
- Correct inaccurate information;
- Delete your information;
- Object to or restrict certain processing;
- Data portability — receive your data in a machine-readable format;
- Withdraw consent at any time (for example by clicking “unsubscribe” in any newsletter);
- Opt out of sale or sharing — although we do not sell or share personal information;
- Non-discrimination for exercising your rights;
- Lodge a complaint with a data-protection authority (for EEA/UK residents).
To exercise any right, email [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days (or sooner where the law requires). We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request; we will ask only for what is necessary.
Global Privacy Control / Do Not Track: because we do not track visitors across sites or sell data, there is nothing to switch off — but we honor these signals by design.
11. International visitors
We operate from the United States and its territories, and our service providers may process data in the United States or other countries. Where data protection laws require it, we use appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses.
12. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the Site or the law changes. We will post the updated version here with a new “last updated” date and, for significant changes, notify newsletter subscribers or clients by email.
13. Contact
Questions, requests or complaints about privacy: [email protected]. Please include “Privacy” in the subject line so we can prioritize your message.