Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Wasnt Just for Her

Gisele Bündchen and jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente have raised a lot of suspicion as to possible romantic ties, but we at least now know one of the reasons hes traveled with her to Costa Rica ... hes training her and Tom Bradys kids.

Sources close to Gisele tell us the kids, Benjamin and Vivian, are homeschooled and have a team travel with them to make sure theyre receiving all the necessities for their education. Were told theres a full-time teacher who travels to teach the kids their basics -- and Valente as well -- its also not the first time the group has made the trip to Costa Rica together.

Our sources say Valente handles the physical education aspect of the homeschooling -- which makes sense considering hes trained them in jiu-jitsu -- after connecting in Miami.

Nonetheless, it does feel odd Valente was able to up and leave his jiu-jitsu biz back home for several weeks while hes with Gisele and crew ... though you gotta imagine the money is good.

While its not 100% clear where Gisele and Joaquim stand, we still havent seen any PDA, and our Gisele sources are adamant -- theres nothing romantic. However, one source close to the former couple still believes the timing of the trip is interesting considering her and Tom just finalized their divorce.

As we reported, Gisele and Joaquim did a sexy jiu-jitsu photo shoot for Dust Magazine more than a year ago ... so at the very least, theyve gotten physical.