Award-Winning Phonics Tutors
serving Buffalo, NY
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Award-Winning Phonics Tutors serving Buffalo, NY

Certified Tutor
Chimere
I am not in a classroom, I enjoy historical novels. I also have a passion for 80's-90's music and films.
University at Buffalo
Bachelors, Civil/Environmental Engineering

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Tess
I am an experienced teacher and tutor who graduated from American University with a BA in International Environmental Peacemaking and Print Journalism as well as a minor in Arabic Language. I first became interested in tutoring when I was a student through a literacy advocates program where I tutore...
American University
Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government

Certified Tutor
3+ years
I am Kwadwo and I currently am a graduate student at SUNY Buffalo State University studying speech-language pathology. I have over 6 years of experience tutoring and enjoy it! The subjects I tutor are English language arts, elementary school math, Algebra 1, SAT prep, trigonometry, and geometry. I c...
University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
8+ years
Kerry
I'm ready to use my experience as a writer, editor and communications professional to assist students in reaching their academic goals.
Pratt Institute-Main
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Creative Writing

Certified Tutor
7+ years
Laura
I'm Laura. I am the daughter of two English teachers who grew up extensively reading and writing. I am a huge science nerd, but in general a knowledge nerd. I have a formal education in Biology, with a Doctorate degree (DDS) in dental surgery. Through my training I mastered the subjects of biology, ...
Canisius College
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Carolyn
I am a professional photographer, have a fine arts background and love to travel and experience other cultures/ways of life. I love to cook, especially for friends. I started snow skiing when I was six, am more of a movie watcher than TV and believe music soothes the soul
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Bachelor in Business Administration, Marketing

Certified Tutor
Caroline
I am inspired by those I teach and endeavor to help my students channel their creativity and realize their potential while making content relevant outside of the confines of the classroom.
College of the Holy Cross
Bachelor in Arts, English Literature

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Younes
Tutoring helps many students to be successful and improve their academic performance. So as a tutor, my primary purpose is to provide my students with effective teaching skills and techniques that offer them the ability to, confidently and comfortably, approach subjects they have issues with.I usual...
City Colleges of new york
Electrical Engineer, Electrical Engineering

Certified Tutor
3+ years
Jacob
I am eager to help students thrive because I'm still very much a student myself, and will be for the foreseeable future. Though I enjoyed my time as an undergraduate student in Literature, and learned quite a bit during my time at Vanderbilt, there's still more work to be done. I am working towards ...
Vanderbilt University
Bachelors, English Literature

Certified Tutor
4+ years
Chris
I have a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. I am available to tutor all levels of Spanish. I encourage all students to immerse themselves in the language and take advantage of every opportunity to practice and learn something new.
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Bachelor in Arts, Spanish
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Frequently Asked Questions
Phonics is the foundational skill that teaches students to connect letters with their sounds and blend those sounds into words. It's essential because it helps children decode unfamiliar words independently, which is critical for building reading fluency and comprehension. Students who develop strong phonics skills early tend to become more confident, proficient readers throughout their academic careers.
Many students struggle with letter-sound correspondence, blending sounds together, or understanding irregular words that don't follow standard phonics rules. Others may have difficulty with phonemic awareness—the ability to hear and manipulate individual sounds in words. Some students also find it challenging to apply phonics skills when reading connected text, even if they can decode words in isolation. These challenges are completely normal and respond well to targeted, personalized instruction.
In a classroom setting with a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio like many Buffalo schools, phonics instruction follows a set pace that may not match each student's learning speed. Personalized tutoring allows tutors to assess exactly where a student is struggling—whether it's initial sound recognition, blending, or sight word fluency—and focus instruction on those specific gaps. This targeted approach means students spend less time on skills they've already mastered and more time on areas that need reinforcement, leading to faster progress.
Kindergarten and first grade typically focus on letter recognition, basic letter-sound relationships, and simple CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words. By second grade, students should blend multi-syllabic words and recognize common sight words. Third grade introduces more complex phonics patterns, digraphs, and blends. If your student is falling behind these benchmarks, personalized instruction can help them catch up and build confidence before gaps widen.
During the first session, a tutor will assess your student's current phonics level through informal activities like reading simple words, identifying letter sounds, and blending exercises. This helps the tutor understand which foundational skills are solid and where instruction should focus. The tutor will also discuss your goals and any specific challenges you've noticed, then create a personalized plan tailored to your student's learning style and pace.
With consistent, focused instruction, many students show noticeable progress within 4-6 weeks—such as improved letter-sound recognition or smoother blending. More significant gains in reading fluency and independence often emerge within 2-3 months of regular sessions. The timeline depends on your student's starting point and frequency of tutoring, but personalized instruction accelerates progress compared to waiting for classroom-based interventions.
Yes. Tutors work with students using evidence-based phonics approaches that complement what's taught in Buffalo schools. Whether your child's school uses a specific phonics program or balanced literacy approach, personalized tutoring reinforces those skills while filling individual gaps. Tutors can also coordinate with classroom teachers when helpful to ensure consistent instruction and messaging.
Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in phonics instruction for students in Buffalo. You'll tell us about your student's age, current level, and specific challenges, and we'll match them with a tutor experienced in addressing those needs. Once matched, you can schedule sessions at times that work for your family and adjust frequency based on your student's progress.
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