Award-Winning Orton Gillingham
Tutors
Award-Winning
Orton Gillingham
Tutors
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'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.
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 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Orton Gillingham method is a structured, multisensory approach to reading instruction designed specifically for students with dyslexia and other reading-based learning differences. It teaches phonics through a systematic progression—starting with individual letter sounds and gradually building to syllables, words, and sentences—while engaging multiple senses (sight, sound, touch) to strengthen neural pathways for reading and spelling.
This method is particularly effective because it addresses the root causes of reading difficulty rather than just symptoms. Students learn explicit letter-sound relationships and syllable patterns in a logical sequence, which helps them decode unfamiliar words and build confidence. The structured, repetitive nature of Orton Gillingham instruction allows students to develop automaticity in foundational skills before moving to more complex reading comprehension.
Classroom reading instruction typically moves at a pace designed for the average student, which can leave struggling readers behind or move too quickly for students who need more reinforcement. Personalized Orton Gillingham tutoring adjusts the pace, intensity, and teaching methods to match each student's specific needs and learning profile.
A tutor can provide immediate feedback, reteach concepts when needed, and spend extra time on areas where a student struggles without slowing down peers. They also individualize the multisensory techniques—using tactile activities, color-coding, or kinesthetic movements that resonate with that particular student. This targeted, one-on-one approach typically accelerates progress because students receive instruction precisely calibrated to their skill level and learning style.
The most effective Orton Gillingham tutors have formal training in the Orton Gillingham methodology through accredited programs and hold certification from recognized organizations like the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) or similar credentialing bodies. They understand the neurobiological basis of dyslexia and can diagnose student needs, select appropriate instructional materials, and adjust their teaching in real time.
Beyond credentials, great tutors combine structured expertise with flexibility—they know the protocol but can adapt multisensory techniques when a student responds better to certain approaches. They're also patient and skilled at building confidence in students who may have experienced repeated reading failure. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who meet these standards and bring both expertise and genuine commitment to helping students overcome reading challenges.
Many students show noticeable progress within 4-8 weeks of consistent Orton Gillingham instruction, though the timeline varies based on the severity of the reading difficulty, the student's age, and how frequently they receive tutoring. Early progress often appears as improved phonemic awareness, more confident decoding of simple words, and reduced frustration during reading tasks.
More substantial gains—like improved reading fluency, better spelling accuracy, and the ability to tackle grade-level text—typically emerge over several months of consistent practice. The key is regular, structured sessions combined with reinforcement between lessons. Students who work with a tutor 2-3 times per week and practice assigned activities at home generally see faster, more durable improvement than those with sporadic sessions.
Orton Gillingham instruction can begin as early as kindergarten or first grade, particularly if early signs of reading difficulty appear (difficulty rhyming, limited letter-sound knowledge, slow phonemic awareness development). However, it's also highly effective for older students—many students are introduced to this method in upper elementary, middle school, or even high school after years of reading struggle.
The method adapts across grade levels. Younger students focus on foundational phonetic skills and building automaticity, while older students may move more quickly through basics and focus on multisyllabic word decoding, academic vocabulary, and comprehension strategies needed for grade-level texts. It's never too late to implement structured Orton Gillingham instruction—students of all ages can benefit from this evidence-based approach.
Effective progress tracking includes both formal and informal measures. Tutors often use reading fluency assessments (words read correctly per minute), phonetic decoding tests, and spelling samples to document concrete skill growth. You'll also notice practical improvements: students read longer texts with fewer errors, decode unfamiliar words more confidently, and show less frustration or avoidance of reading tasks.
Beyond test scores, watch for changes in attitude and confidence. Students who once avoided reading may start choosing books independently, show pride in completed reading assignments, or express less anxiety about reading aloud. A skilled tutor will regularly share progress updates and adjust instruction based on these measurable indicators, ensuring tutoring stays focused on meaningful gains.
The goal of Orton Gillingham instruction is to build automatic, internalized phonetic decoding and spelling skills that become permanent tools. Once a student understands systematic letter-sound relationships, syllable patterns, and morphological rules (prefixes, suffixes, roots), these foundational skills transfer to all future reading and writing. A student won't "forget" that a long vowel sound is signaled by a final 'e' or that certain letter combinations make specific sounds.
Students leave tutoring with stronger phonemic awareness, orthographic knowledge, and decoding strategies they can apply independently to new words. Many continue to gain reading confidence and fluency in classroom settings once they have these solid fundamentals. Some students benefit from ongoing or occasional "booster" sessions as they encounter more complex texts, but the core skills—and the increased confidence—remain with them.
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