Award-Winning Certified Reading Intervention Tutors
serving Minneapolis, MN
Certified Reading Intervention
Tutors in Minneapolis
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.

Two years of teaching elementary students who struggled with literacy gave McKenna firsthand experience identifying where decoding, fluency, or comprehension breaks down. She builds targeted exercises around phonemic awareness and sight-word recognition for younger readers, while older students get scaffolded strategies for tackling longer texts. Her certified reading intervention approach is patient and structured, meeting each learner's specific gaps.

Hello! I'm a reading intervention specialist with over 15 years of experience helping struggling readers build stronger skills and confidence. I use an Orton-Gillinghaminspired, structured literacy that is explicit, systematic, multisensory, and tailored to each learner. Sessions may include phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, fluency, comprehension, and writing based on individual needs. My goal is to strengthen the foundational literacy skills that make reading easier.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Certified Reading Intervention is a structured, evidence-based approach to helping students who struggle with reading skills like decoding, fluency, and comprehension. Tutors trained in this methodology use diagnostic assessments to identify specific gaps and deliver targeted instruction in phonics, phonemic awareness, and reading strategies. For students in Minneapolis, this personalized approach addresses the root causes of reading difficulty rather than just treating symptoms.
Certified Reading Intervention follows a specific, research-backed curriculum with structured protocols and frequent progress monitoring, whereas general tutoring may be more flexible. Tutors certified in reading intervention have specialized training in diagnostic assessment and evidence-based techniques like Orton-Gillingham or Wilson Reading System. This specialized approach is particularly effective for students with dyslexia, decoding difficulties, or significant reading gaps.
The first session typically includes a comprehensive reading assessment to evaluate your student's phonemic awareness, decoding skills, fluency, and comprehension level. The tutor will discuss your student's reading history, any previous interventions, and specific challenges to create a baseline understanding. From there, a customized intervention plan is developed to target your student's individual needs and learning pace.
Many students show measurable progress within 4-6 weeks of consistent, targeted instruction, though the timeline varies based on the severity of the reading difficulty and frequency of sessions. Research on reading intervention shows that students who receive 3-4 sessions per week typically progress faster than those with less frequent instruction. Consistent practice and reinforcement between sessions are key to building fluency and confidence.
Look for tutors with certification from recognized programs like the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), Orton-Gillingham training, Wilson Reading System certification, or similar evidence-based reading intervention credentials. Many certified tutors also have teaching backgrounds or specialized training in literacy instruction. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have demonstrated expertise in reading intervention and can provide documentation of their qualifications.
Certified Reading Intervention is effective for students struggling with phonics and decoding, fluency issues, comprehension difficulties, and students with dyslexia or other reading disabilities. It also helps students who have fallen behind grade-level expectations or have weak foundational skills. For students in Minneapolis schools, intervention tutors can work alongside classroom instruction to accelerate progress and build reading confidence.
Yes, certified reading intervention tutors can help your student apply intervention strategies to classroom reading while also working on foundational skills. They can teach comprehension strategies for assigned texts, help with vocabulary development, and build confidence with grade-level material. The goal is to strengthen core reading skills so your student can tackle classroom assignments more independently.
Most reading intervention programs recommend 3-4 sessions per week for optimal progress, though frequency depends on your student's needs and the severity of their reading difficulty. Even 2 sessions weekly can be beneficial when combined with consistent practice at home. Your tutor will recommend a schedule based on the initial assessment and your student's response to instruction.
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