Award-Winning Special Education Tutors serving Chicago, IL

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Molly
Certified Special Education Tutor
Molly
MS Northwestern University • BA Columbia University in the City of New York
1+ Years Tutoring

During her years teaching second through fourth grade, Molly worked daily with students who had a wide range of learning needs, from reading intervention to modified math instruction. She pulls from multiple curricula and adapts materials on the fly — adjusting pacing, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and using multisensory approaches to make concepts accessible. Her 5.0 rating speaks to how well that individualized approach works.

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Alan
Certified Special Education Tutor
Alan
MS Harvard University • BA New Mexico State University-Main Campus
1+ Years Tutoring

A Master's in Education trained Alan in differentiated instruction, IEP-aligned goal setting, and multisensory teaching methods that reach learners who struggle in traditional classroom environments. He adapts pacing and materials to match each student's processing style, whether the challenge involves reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, or executive function skills. His 4.8 rating speaks to the patience and flexibility he brings to every session.

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Certified Special Education Tutor
Rebecca
BA Northwestern University
1+ Years Tutoring

Rebecca's graduate training in social work at the University of Chicago, combined with her undergraduate psychology research, gives her a sharp understanding of how different learners process information and what accommodations actually look like in practice. She adapts pacing, breaks down multi-step instructions, and uses individualized reinforcement techniques to keep students engaged and progressing. Rated 4.9 by families she's worked with.

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Certified Special Education Tutor
Hannah
BA Washington University in St. Louis
14+ Years Tutoring

Working professionally with young adults on the autism spectrum taught Hannah something most tutors learn slowly: every learner's brain organizes information differently, and instruction has to adapt in real time. She designs sessions around each student's specific processing style — whether that means breaking multi-step directions into visual checklists, adjusting pacing, or finding alternative ways into a concept that traditional instruction missed. Her 5.0 rating speaks to how well that individualized approach works.

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Certified Special Education Tutor
Casey
MS University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • BA Butler University
1+ Years Tutoring

Before graduate school, Casey worked as a certified substitute teacher in both general and special education classrooms across Michigan's K-12 system. That experience taught her how to adapt pacing, break instructions into smaller steps, and use a student's own interests as entry points into reading, writing, and comprehension tasks. She's rated 5.0 by the students she's worked with.

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Certified Special Education Tutor
Brigette
BA Cornell College • Current Grad Student, Learning and Behavior Specialist University of St. Francis
1+ Years Tutoring

Brigette is a practicing Learning and Behavior Specialist at a Chicago public school, where she designs and implements individualized instruction for students with diverse learning needs every day. She's trained in multisensory approaches like Wilson Reading and TouchMath, which means she can adapt lessons for students with IEPs or 504 plans rather than relying on one-size-fits-all methods. Rated 5.0 by families.

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Certified Special Education Tutor
Blakeley
MS Relay Graduate School of Education • BA Troy University
5+ Years Tutoring

As a full-time special education teacher on Chicago's South Side, Blakeley spends every school day modifying lessons across subjects — reading, math, science, writing — for students whose learning profiles demand more than standard instruction. Her Master's in Education and broad content knowledge let her align tutoring sessions directly to IEP objectives while keeping the material engaging enough that students actually want to show up.

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Certified Special Education Tutor
Aaron
BA The University of Texas at Dallas • Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering Duke University
10+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Certified Special Education Tutor
Mimi
MS Harvard University • BA Dartmouth College
6+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Certified Special Education Tutor
Nina
MS Columbia University • BA Northwestern University
10+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Certified Special Education Tutor
Reid
PhD Harvard University • BA Wesleyan University
1+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Certified Special Education Tutor
Michelle
MD Baylor College of Medicine • BA Rice University
1+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Testimonials

Because the right Special Education tutor makes all the difference.

4.9

Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings

Worked with a Special Education Tutor

Your customer interface is A+, being your agents or your site, The tutor you found for me is perfect, no formulas or canned lectures but easy flowing lecture addressing my needs. Congratulations for a job well done.

JA
Julio Aranovich
Worked with a Special Education Tutor

Heejin has been very patient with me. I work a full time job sometimes even on the weekends. It has been a slow process with my Korean classes, but Heejin has been wonderful and patient.

AH
Angela Hussein
Worked with a Special Education Tutor

My son has had many quality tutors through this convenient service, and he can hop on at any time of day to get support for a homework assignment or test. It's very convenient and effective.

TR
Tara R
Worked with a Special Education Tutor

I've been working with my tutor for a few months now and the progress has been remarkable. The personalized attention and tailored lessons made all the difference compared to in-classroom learning.

MC
Michael Chen
Worked with a Special Education Tutor

The flexibility of scheduling combined with the quality of instruction is unmatched. I can get help exactly when I need it, whether that's late at night or early in the morning before a test.

PP
Priya Patel
Worked with a Special Education Tutor

My daughter went from dreading her sessions to looking forward to them. The tutor made the material engaging and built her confidence in ways I never thought possible. Highly recommend.

RW
Rebecca Williams

Frequently Asked Questions

Special education tutoring addresses the unique learning needs of students with disabilities, learning differences, or developmental delays. This includes support with individualized education plan (IEP) goals, foundational academic skills like reading and math, executive functioning, social-emotional learning, and transition planning for post-secondary life. Tutors work closely with students' IEP teams to reinforce classroom instruction and target specific areas where students need extra support.

In a classroom setting with a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio in Chicago, individualized attention is limited. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to adapt teaching methods, pacing, and materials specifically to how each student learns best—whether that means multisensory approaches, visual supports, frequent breaks, or alternative communication methods. This targeted approach helps students build confidence and make measurable progress on their specific IEP goals.

Yes. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who understand IEP frameworks and can reinforce the specific goals outlined in your child's plan. Tutors can work on targeted skills like reading fluency, math computation, organization, or communication—and provide progress updates that complement your child's school-based services. Coordination with your child's IEP team ensures tutoring supports rather than duplicates classroom instruction.

Students may struggle with foundational skills like phonemic awareness, decoding, or number sense; executive functioning tasks like organization and time management; or social-emotional skills like self-regulation and peer interaction. Many students also face gaps between their intellectual ability and academic performance, or difficulty generalizing skills learned in one setting to another. Personalized tutoring addresses these challenges through targeted practice, explicit instruction, and real-world application.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have experience working with students with various disabilities and learning differences. When you reach out, you can share your child's specific needs, diagnosis, IEP goals, and learning style preferences. Tutors are matched based on their expertise and experience, ensuring your child gets support from someone who understands their unique learning profile.

The first session is typically a getting-to-know-you meeting where the tutor learns about your child's strengths, challenges, learning style, and IEP goals. The tutor may assess current skill levels in key areas, observe how your child responds to different teaching approaches, and build rapport. This foundation helps the tutor create a personalized plan that addresses your child's specific needs and sets realistic, measurable goals for progress.

Progress is tracked through multiple measures: improved performance on IEP goal assessments, increased independence with targeted skills, better grades or test scores in academic areas, and qualitative improvements like greater confidence or reduced frustration. Many tutors use progress monitoring tools, keep session notes, and provide regular feedback so you can see concrete evidence of growth. This data also helps inform whether tutoring strategies are working or need adjustment.

Frequency depends on your child's needs, IEP goals, and current performance levels. Some students benefit from weekly sessions focused on one or two specific skills, while others may need multiple sessions per week to address several areas. Your tutor can recommend a schedule based on your child's progress and goals, and you can adjust as needed. Consistency is key—regular sessions typically produce better results than sporadic support.

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