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Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors

Certified Tutor
2+ years
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...
Johns Hopkins University
AM
Vassar College
AM

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Sapna
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 d...
Monash University
MSW
Certified Tutor
2+ years
Emily
My name is Emily and I have been teaching elementary grades for 6 years and tutoring for 5. I am a lifelong learner and reading and writing are my passion!
Montclair State University
AM

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Molly
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 tr...
McDaniel College
AM
York College
AM

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Derek
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 w...
Walden University
Doctorate (PhD)
Walden University
Master's/Graduate
University of Alberta
Bachelor

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Julie Fe
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 lea...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor

Certified Tutor
Kate
I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Masters, Environmental Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelors

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Jai
I'm a recent Stanford graduate (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), and have been working at a major Management Consulting firm for a few years now. I personally scored a 2360 (out of 2400) on the SAT and 35 on the ACT and was successful in gaining admission to several top universities. I'...
Stanford University
Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Certified Tutor
I am a licensed physician from Florida who is currently changing careers. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and have extensive tutoring and editing experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writ...
Nova Southeastern University
PHD, Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelors, History
University of Pennsylvania
undergraduate

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Jeffrey
I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science
Rice University
Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering
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Rhea
AP Statistics Tutor • +49 Subjects
I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and I have several years of experience tutoring students in my high school's learning center in various subjects as well as tutoring private clients in Standardized Test preparation. Given that I graduated high school recently, I have taken several Standardized Tests and high school subjects myself, so I have a comprehensive understanding of not only how to tutor these subjects and exams, but also what it is like to take them. While I have a wide range of interests and am able to tutor various subjects, I am most passionate about tutoring in Standardized Test preparation (including ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and AP Exams), Biology, Chemistry, Math, and Spanish. I truly believe that students should have the opportunity to learn in the way that works best for them, and I love being able to help them succeed by creating a comfortable tutoring environment in which we can best assess their particular needs and use strategies specific to them. My passion for learning drives everything that I do, and tutoring is the platform that I use to try to spread that passion to others. In my free time, you can find me playing badminton, listening to music, or baking something (hopefully) delicious.
Erika
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +36 Subjects
I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am not in school myself, I love rowing, equestrian and exploring my new city of Boston! I look forward to meeting and working with you soon!
Zachary
Trigonometry Tutor • +35 Subjects
I am passionate about teaching and tutoring and I thoroughly enjoy helping students gain an understanding and a drive for their studies. I have a long history of working with students of all grade levels and abilities (elementary school through college), and I have a good understanding of strategies to excel in both general academics and standardized tests.
Matthew
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +39 Subjects
I'm a highly creative person who works best with visual thinkers. Very recently graduated from Stanford University, I majored in Human Biology with a concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science. Technical though my background may be, I am currently gigging as a singer/songwriter/composer in NYC and tackle even the most hard-science of problems with a top-down, big-picture, holistic approach. If you have a propensity to look at problems in a cross- or inter-disciplinary manner (or want to learn how to do so), I'm the tutor for you!
Charles
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects
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! Hobbies: art, books, running, reading, music, writing
Tiffany
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +56 Subjects
I am available to tutor a broad range of subjects, I am passionate about test preparation, Accountancy, and Algebra.
Quinn
Calculus Tutor • +17 Subjects
I am willing to address any issue with an open mind and I try to develop strategies that play to a student's strengths. I would like to think I am very approachable and personable, and I have had very positive experiences with many students in the past using this philosophy. Outside of academics, I love playing basketball and watching sports, as well as chilling with friends, listening to music, and keeping up with politics and current affairs.
Samuel
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +29 Subjects
I am a freshman at Caltech majoring in Applied and Computational Mathematics. My favorite subject to tutor is math because I find it very rewarding to simplify complex topics to aid in understanding. I have lots of tutoring experience. In high school, I ran and taught an SAT prep class and was vice president of my school's NHS chapter where I ran our tutoring program, and I, myself, tutored. I also was a teaching assistant in the summer of 2020 for a class in discrete mathematics through a program called PACT (Program in Algorithmic and Combinatorial Thinking). I love learning and hope to make the process enjoyable for you!
Tony
Calculus Tutor • +28 Subjects
I am a recent graduate of Yale University and incoming first year medical student at Columbia University. Originally from the DC area, I have always had a passion for science and medicine and pursued a degree in Biology while at Yale. During the 2008-2009 academic year, I tutored science, math, English, history, and Mandarin Chinese part-time with a DC-based tutoring company. At Yale, I worked as a freshman counselor to provide academic and career advice to incoming freshmen. I have taken both SAT and MCAT test prep classes and am familiar with both tests as well as the preparation necessary to score well. My personal career goals include attending medical school to pursue either immunology/infectious diseases or psych/neurology, teaching biology at the university level, and working in public/global health with either the CDC or the WHO.
Pinelopi
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects
I am a Duke University graduate with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I have experience tutoring all levels of Spanish language, all sections of the SAT, as well as algebra, pre algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus! I love kids & I have a very flexible schedule and a lot of patience! Let me help you :)
Top 20 Subjects
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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