Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Phoenix, AZ
Award-Winning
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Phoenix
Private 1-on-1 tutoring, weekly live classes for academic support, test prep & enrichment, practice tests and diagnostics, and more to elevate grades and test scores.
Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
UniversitiesSchools & Universities
DeliveredHours Delivered
ProficiencyGrowth in Proficiency
Who needs tutoring?
No obligation. Takes ~1 minute.

I have been an elementary and middle school teacher for the past 14 years, and enjoy working with all ages of students. My focus over the last few years has been to delve deeply into the science behind learning to read. As a result, I have become a Certified Orton Gillingham Instructor through the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE). The Orton Gillingham (OG) approach consists of multi-sensory instruction that is direct, explicit, and systematic. Lessons are based on the individual needs of the student. It has been proven over time to be a very effective way to teach students with reading difficulties, including dyslexia, to read. I look forward to help you or your child experience the joy of learning to read.

I earned my Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Cardiff University, and have a Masters in Counseling from Monash University. Trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach to literacy, I am passionate and experienced in using a multi-sensory approach to tutoring students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Having worked in an educational setting for over 11 years in Hong Kong, I am experienced in working with students from kindergarten all the way through to primary school.
I received my degree in Elementary Education from York College of Pennsylvania. I then attended McDaniel College where I received a masters degree in reading and became a Reading Specialist. My love for teaching reading continued and I furthered my education at Mount Saint Mary's University for training in Reading Recovery. I started my career teaching kindergarten and currently am a reading specialist in my school district, where I work one on one and in small groups with struggling readers. My passion is for tutoring early learners to help them gain the skills they need to grow as readers and writers. In my tutoring sessions I love to get to know my learners interests and personalities. I incorporate manipulatives, sight word games, leveled texts, and writing into sessions to make sessions more engaging. I love to build confidence in my learners by focusing on their strengths in order to get the most amount of growth out of my learners. My hobbies include exercise, spending time with my family, and going to the beach.
Hi there! I'm Derek and I'm passionate about helping students like you achieve their goals through engaging, customized learning experiences. Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding of a subject, improve your grades, or master a particular skill, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. With a PhD in Curriculum Design and Educational Technologies and 17 years of experience in education, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical expertise to every session. But what sets me apart is my commitment to understanding your unique learning style. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all approachesevery student is different, and I tailor my lessons to meet your individual needs, pace, and interests. I take pride in creating a comfortable, supportive environment where questions are encouraged, and learning is both challenging and fun. I strive to build a rapport with my students, so they not only understand the material but also develop the confidence to apply it in real-world situations. Together, we'll work toward your academic or professional goals, and I'll be there to celebrate every success along the way. If you're ready to take the next step in your learning journey, I'd love to connect with you. Let's create a plan that works for you!
I am a graduate of Bachelor in Elementary Education with a major in Special Education. Currently, I am pursuing my graduate degree in Special Education. I am a licensed teacher, and I have 9 years of teaching experience, both in-person and virtually. I am most interested in helping students with learning difficulties achieve their highest potential. I am fun, creative, and passionate.
I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all subjects, I take a creative, inquiry-based and learner-centered approach, designing opportunities for each unique individual to meet their learning goals.
I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old electronics, playing Pokemon, or picking at my guitar.
I am a recent graduate from a masters program in biostatistics at Columbia University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, with a focus in neurobiology at Northwestern University. In August, I will be starting a doctoral program in biostatistics at NYU. I was a teaching assistant at Columbia University in my department and also have tutored graduate students and undergraduates privately as well. My primary areas of tutoring are math and statistics coursework in addition to math sections on standardized tests such as the GRE and GMAT. I am very passionate about helping students feel more confident and excited about math. In my spare time, I enjoy running, playing piano, and spending time with friends and family.
I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults towards passing the US Citizenship Exam and taught English in India, where I lived for six months. Whenever I work with a student I personalize the lessons to fit their particular learning style, since I know every student is unique and having the right fit can make all the difference in making learning fun and effective. My strengths are tutoring the social sciences and humanities, as well as making math and standardized tests approachable to students that normally don't like those subjects. In my spare time I like traveling, spending time in the outdoors (climbing & backpacking), meditation, and playing soccer. Next fall I will be beginning my PhD in Education at Harvard University.
I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medicine.
I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals!
I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campus); social sciences; and literature/writing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Orton Gillingham is a structured, multisensory approach to reading instruction that emphasizes the connection between letters, sounds, and written symbols. Unlike whole-language or sight-word heavy methods, Orton Gillingham builds reading skills systematically from foundational phonics through advanced decoding and comprehension.
The method is particularly effective for students with dyslexia or reading difficulties because it engages multiple learning pathways—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic—making it easier for struggling readers to internalize letter-sound relationships and build fluency. With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, tutors can tailor the pace and approach to each student's learning style, which is difficult to achieve in a classroom setting where one teacher manages 17-20+ students.
Orton Gillingham is particularly beneficial for students who struggle with decoding, have been diagnosed with dyslexia, or haven't responded well to traditional reading instruction. It's also effective for students learning English as a second language, those with auditory processing challenges, and younger students building early literacy skills.
Students across all grade levels—from early elementary through high school—can benefit, though earlier intervention typically leads to faster progress. If your child is reading significantly below grade level, avoiding reading, or experiencing frustration despite exposure to reading instruction, Orton Gillingham tutoring for students in Phoenix can provide the structured, individualized support needed to build confidence and competence.
Most students begin to see noticeable improvements in decoding skills within 4-8 weeks of consistent, personalized Orton Gillingham instruction. Progress depends on the student's starting point, the severity of reading difficulties, and frequency of tutoring sessions.
Meaningful, measurable gains in reading fluency and comprehension typically emerge over 3-6 months with regular instruction (usually 2-3 sessions per week). Some students achieve grade-level reading skills in 6-12 months, while others with more significant challenges may require longer-term support. A tutor can assess your student's specific needs and provide a more personalized timeline during initial consultations.
In Phoenix classrooms with an average student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, teachers cannot provide the individualized assessment and pacing that struggling readers need. Orton Gillingham requires careful, systematic progression through specific sequences—moving at a pace that matches each student's processing speed and mastery level.
Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to diagnose exactly where a student's reading skills break down, target specific weaknesses (phonemic awareness, letter recognition, syllable division, etc.), and adjust teaching methods on the fly. Students also receive immediate feedback, more speaking and reading opportunities, and can ask questions without hesitation—all crucial for building reading confidence and competence.
Orton Gillingham instruction requires specialized training and certification. When connecting with tutors through Varsity Tutors, you can specify your need for Orton Gillingham expertise, and we match you with tutors who have formal OG training and experience working with students who have reading difficulties.
Look for tutors with certification from the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE) or equivalent recognized training. During consultations, ask about their experience with your student's age group and specific reading challenges. Varsity Tutors makes it easy to find the right fit for your student's needs in Phoenix.
Yes. Orton Gillingham is a foundational reading approach that strengthens core decoding and phonics skills, which are essential for success in any curriculum. While Arizona schools may use different reading programs or approaches, Orton Gillingham complements classroom instruction by filling gaps and accelerating reading skill development.
Many students benefit from Orton Gillingham tutoring while continuing their regular schoolwork—the personalized instruction actually helps them make faster progress in their classroom reading and writing assignments. Tutors can coordinate with teachers (with parent permission) to ensure instruction supports your student's school goals and grade-level expectations.
Orton Gillingham is one of the most evidence-based, researched approaches to teaching reading—especially for students with dyslexia and reading difficulties. The investment in specialized tutoring now prevents years of academic frustration and builds a foundation for success across all subjects that depend on reading.
Early intervention is particularly cost-effective; students who receive targeted help in elementary grades often catch up to peers much faster than those who wait. Consider it an investment in your student's confidence, academic trajectory, and lifelong literacy skills. Many families find that even 2-3 months of focused Orton Gillingham instruction creates measurable shifts in reading ability and school performance.
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