Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving San Diego, CA
Award-Winning
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in San Diego
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 a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tutor for both Math and Spanish programs in high school and enjoyed the strides I made with students. I am willing to tutor any subject I have a background in, but am strong in mathematics, the sciences, Spanish, history, writing, and ACT prep. I enjoy teaching mathematics most due to the joy I can see in children once they master a topic and can answer even pointed questions meant to stump them, and maybe even put their knowledge to real world use. As a tutor, I like to give a strong foundation to orient my student, and then gradually grant them more freedom and independence until they can feel themselves grasp the concept, pointing out pitfalls or common errors along the way; teachers who used these methods on me always left the most lasting impressions. Outside of my studies, I really enjoy listening to music, both old favorites and new interests, reading classics, and gaming/playing basketball with my friends.
I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received my Masters in Mild to Moderate Disabilities from Simmons College. I have worked extensively with students with a range of abilities, including students with specific learning disabilities, emotional impairments, dyslexia, and ADHD. My teaching experience has given me a deep understanding of the knowledge and habits essential to academic success and has given me the opportunity to hone a variety of strategies that ensure students at each level can achieve their academic goals. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, my favorite ones are Reading, Elementary/Middle School Math, History, and Test Prep. In my experience, tutoring is the most rewarding when a student has that "aha!" moment and achieves a new level of understanding and confidence in his/her abilities. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of education, and I see my role to be that of a facilitator and coach who is there to help the student reach his/her goals through individualized support and rigorous practice. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, practicing my Spanish, and discovering new music. I am also an avid traveler and just got back from a 3 month trip to South America. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!
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!
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Orton Gillingham approach is a structured, multisensory method designed specifically for students with dyslexia and reading difficulties. It teaches the foundational building blocks of reading—phonemes, letter combinations, and syllable patterns—in a systematic, sequential way that helps students understand how sounds map to letters.
Unlike typical classroom instruction that often assumes students will naturally pick up reading patterns, Orton Gillingham provides explicit, step-by-step instruction with frequent repetition and practice. Students engage multiple senses (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) simultaneously, which strengthens neural pathways and improves word recognition, decoding, and fluency. Many students who struggle with traditional reading methods make significant progress with this approach because it directly addresses the root of their reading difficulties.
Orton Gillingham can benefit students at any age, from early elementary through high school and beyond. The ideal time to start is as soon as reading difficulties are identified—typically around first or second grade, when early intervention is most effective. However, older students absolutely benefit too; it's never too late to learn proper decoding strategies and build reading confidence.
For students in San Diego, if your child is in grades 1-3 and showing signs of reading difficulty (struggling to rhyme, mix up letter sounds, reverse letters, or read significantly below grade level), early assessment and instruction can prevent reading gaps from widening. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction with a qualified tutor can help identify exactly where your student needs support and create a tailored learning plan.
Many students begin showing noticeable improvement in decoding and word recognition within 4-8 weeks of consistent, personalized instruction. However, the timeline varies based on the severity of the reading difficulty, the student's age, and how frequently they receive tutoring.
For sustained, measurable improvement—such as catching up to grade-level reading benchmarks or significantly improving fluency—most students benefit from ongoing instruction over several months to a year or more. The key is consistency: regular sessions (typically 2-4 times per week) combined with reinforcement at home accelerate progress. A tutor can help you track specific metrics like words read per minute, accuracy on phonetically-controlled texts, and grade-level reading level to measure tangible gains.
Most San Diego schools (with an average student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1) use balanced literacy or guided reading approaches that work well for many students but don't provide the systematic, explicit instruction that students with dyslexia or significant reading difficulties need. Classroom teachers typically can't individualize instruction to the same degree.
Personalized 1-on-1 Orton Gillingham instruction is tailored specifically to your student's learning style and needs. A tutor assesses exactly where your student struggles—is it phoneme awareness? Blending? Sight word recognition?—and builds a customized scope and sequence. Tutors use frequent repetition, multisensory techniques, and immediate feedback that simply isn't possible in a traditional classroom setting. This targeted approach helps students with dyslexia and reading delays make progress that matches or exceeds what they'd achieve through classroom instruction alone.
Look for tutors who have formal Orton Gillingham training or certification from recognized organizations like the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE). A qualified tutor should be able to explain their credentials and experience working with students who have dyslexia or reading difficulties.
Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors experienced in Orton Gillingham methodology for students in San Diego. When evaluating tutors, ask about their training, their experience with students at your child's grade level, how they assess reading progress, and what a typical session looks like. A good tutor will provide initial diagnostic information about your student's strengths and challenges, then create a clear plan with measurable goals.
Most students benefit from 2-4 sessions per week, with sessions typically lasting 30-60 minutes depending on the student's age and attention span. Younger students often need shorter, more frequent sessions, while older students may do well with fewer, longer sessions. Consistency matters more than duration—regular weekly instruction with reinforcement at home produces better results than sporadic, long sessions.
Pricing varies based on tutor qualifications, session length, and frequency. Varsity Tutors can provide personalized pricing based on your student's specific needs and your scheduling preferences. Many families find that the investment in personalized instruction pays off quickly when they see their child's reading confidence and skills improve. Some families also explore whether their student may qualify for special education services or related accommodations through their San Diego school district, which could supplement or complement private tutoring.
A qualified tutor tracks progress through specific, measurable metrics such as: accuracy on phonetically-controlled word lists, oral reading fluency (words read correctly per minute), comprehension on grade-level passages, and improvement in spelling and written expression. You should receive regular progress reports and see concrete evidence of improvement.
Ask your tutor about baseline assessment results at the start of tutoring and request check-ins every 4-6 weeks to review progress toward specific goals. You'll likely notice improvements at home too—increased willingness to read, fewer complaints about reading assignments, better performance on school reading benchmarks, and growing confidence. If after 8-10 weeks of consistent tutoring you're not seeing measurable gains, discuss adjustments to the approach or pacing with your tutor.
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