Award-Winning Phonics Tutors

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Award-Winning Phonics Tutors

Elias

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Elias

Bachelor
Elias's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra

I am attending the University of Pennsylvania where I am majoring in Bioengineering on the premed track, with my goal after graduation to become an orthopedic surgeon. My passion for tutoring stems from a genuine love for helping people discover their strengths and succeed in their learning journey,...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor

Brooke

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Brooke

Bachelor
Brooke's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra

Hi! I'm a student currently studying Government at Harvard, and I'm really looking forward to getting to work with you. I have experience tutoring high school students in a number of subjects, including math (Algebra 2 and Precalculus), English, History, and Spanish. I also have helped students writ...

Education

Harvard University

Bachelor

Zoe

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Zoe

MED
Zoe's other Tutor Subjects
Elementary School Math
Elementary School Science
Phonics
Essay Editing

Hello, I hold two soon-to-be three Ivy League degrees, an undergrad and graduate degree from the University of Pennslyvania and I am currently getting a second Masters from Harvard in Education Leadership. I know what it takes to write an essay or application to get into your dream school and specia...

Education

Harvard University

MED

University of Pennsylvania

MED

Zachary

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Zachary

AM
Zachary's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus

I am a driven, positive, affirming tutor who is happy to help students in any way he can. I graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College in 2020, and I obtained my Master's in Political Science from the University of Toronto in 2022. In 2016, I received an SAT score of 1550. That year, I also r...

Education

Dartmouth College

AM

Maham

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Maham

BS
Maham's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Statistics
Middle School Math
Geometry

I am currently an undergraduate student at Rice University pursuing a bachelor of science in biochemistry and cell biology on the pre-med track. One of my most memorable experiences in the medical field has been working as a research intern at Texas Children's Hospital and collaborating with genetic...

Education

Rice University

BS

Varsha

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Varsha

Bachelor's
Varsha's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry

I am currently attending University of Wisconsin Madison, and expect to have a B.S. in neurobiology in 2024. I am most passionate about science, math, and literature. I believe education is always opportunity to grow in life, and seeking help to better understand educational concepts is a great way ...

Education

University

Bachelor's

Cera

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Cera

BOE
Cera's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Algebra
Math 1
Elementary Statistics

I am a graduate of Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering. I am also a Salt Lake Community College graduate. I love building things, challenging the status quo, and studying the way the world works. I have tutored for just over three years, and I tutor physics...

Education

Brigham Young University-Provo

BOE

Chaya

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Chaya

Bachelor
Chaya's other Tutor Subjects
PSAT Writing Skills
STAAR Grades 3-8
ACT Writing
ACT English

Hi! I'm a senior at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business looking for a small side hustle. As I know AP season is approaching for high school students, I would love to help as a tutor in preparation for exams, or provide guidance with college applications and essays! I am super passiona...

Education

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Bachelor

Alana

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Alana

Bachelor
Alana's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Finite Mathematics
Trigonometry

Hello there! I would love to work with your student! I was the valedictorian of my high school, earning my diploma with a 4.6328 GPA (the highest in the history of my school), and I recently graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor's in Neurobiology and Behavior as I pursue God's calling fo...

Education

Cornell University

Bachelor

Olyvia

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Olyvia

BS
Olyvia's other Tutor Subjects
10th Grade Chemistry
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math

I'm a dedicated tutor with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacological Chemistry from UC San Diego and several years of experience helping students build confidence in math, science, and writing. I love creating a supportive, engaging environment where students feel encouraged to ask questions and thin...

Education

University of California-San Diego

BS

Meet Our Expert Tutors

Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.

Alma Lizette

SAT Subject Test in Spanish with Listening Tutor • +44 Subjects

Ready to meet you right where you need me. With a background for teaching and tutoring both in person and online. I am dedicated to crafting each lesson to your needs.

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Norah

Biology Tutor • +29 Subjects

I am a Yale undergraduate student majoring in American Studies! I am interested in education, specifically the subjects history and social studies, because I believe it is very important to have a holistic understanding of the world and communities we live in. I am interested in reading and writing.

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Dariel

Statistics Tutor • +66 Subjects

Entrepreneur by day, educator by night. Have a burning passion for education that's hotter than the sun, which is over 27 million degrees Farenheit (F). Been teaching for 3 years across 2 different universities, 2 states, 100+ students, 10+ majors and 500+ subjects. I am most passionate about the subjects of Science, Math and Business. My goal is to inspire and educate the next generation of students who will be tomorrow's future leaders. Help me to reach this goal by making me the best educator around!

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Isabelle

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +42 Subjects

I am a senior at Emory University studying Business and Theater. For the past six years, I have worked at a day camp for kids age 4-14, specifically helping campers who need extra assistance to thrive in the camp environment. While I love to tutor all subjects, I have the most fun teaching students to read, and watching their faces light up when they get something they have been struggling with. I can't wait to work with you and/or your student!

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Vicente

8th Grade math Tutor • +148 Subjects

As a dedicated educator with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, I bring over 10 years of tutoring and classroom experience across a wide spectrum of subjects, including AP Spanish Language & Culture, High School English, Debate, Essay Writing, Reading Comprehension, College-Level Writing, foundational ELA skills, as well as Math, Social Studies, and Science. My teaching philosophy is rooted in creating a supportive, student-centered environment where learners feel confident expressing their ideas and engaging deeply with complex material. I adapt instruction to each learner's strengths, needs, and goals, emphasizing clear communication, critical thinking, and academic independence.

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Molly

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +36 Subjects

Currently I am a graduate student in Stanford University's Master's Program for Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling. Prior to my enrollment at Stanford, I worked as a Genetic Counseling Assistant for Igenomix, a genetic testing laboratory. I graduated from Cornell University in December of 2021 with a BS in Biological Sciences and a minor in Education. As a student, I was a member of a research lab that works with the genetic basis of epilepsy in fruit flies as well as an undergraduate TA for a genetics laboratory course at Cornell. While I tutor a range of subjects, I am most passionate about tutoring biology and genetics, as that is where most of my expertise lies. I have enjoyed tutoring SAT and ACT math and science sections in the past and have found students have great success on these stressful tests after seeking out help from tutors like me. In my free time I love watching TV shows with my friends, being active, and painting. I am also a Crisis Text Line volunteer and enjoy taking shifts to help people through difficult times.

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Tallulah

Middle School Math Tutor • +59 Subjects

I recently graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Communications and a minor in Business. Since 2020, I have had the privilege of tutoring students of all ages, forming meaningful connections that I deeply cherish. While I tutor a diverse array of subjects, my passions lie in Math, English, and Writing. I also love helping students with college admissions! I firmly believe that learning should be an enjoyable and enriching experience for everyone, so I strive to make each tutoring session unique and engaging.

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Juliana

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects

I am a student at Yale University and am currently planning on majoring in neuroscience with concentrations in the history of medicine and public health. I tutored a variety of subjects in high school with students K-12. I am most passionate about science and math, but I also have a strong background in reading and writing courses. I am very passionate about education and believe that it is critical to a student's discipline and development of many other life skills. In my spare time, I enjoy running, traveling, baking, and listening to all genres of music.

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Anna

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +33 Subjects

I am a recent graduate from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Economics! I tutor in Math and English and love helping my students achieve their academic best! I have 5 years of professional tutoring experience and have worked with students in grades K-12.

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Angela

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +42 Subjects

I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Northeastern University and a Master's degree in Social Work from Boston University. I have tutored on Varsity Tutors since 2021 in subjects including math, science, writing, ESL, and Mandarin. My experience has primarily been with elementary and middle school students as well as older adults. I have a passion for teaching and am motivated to help all learners achieve their educational potential.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most children benefit from phonics instruction between ages 4-6, though the right time varies by individual. Some children show early interest in letters and sounds as young as 3, while others are ready a bit later. The key is that your child should have some foundational oral language skills and be interested in written words.

A tutor can assess your child's readiness and current phonetic understanding to determine the best starting point, whether that's basic letter recognition or more advanced phonetic patterns.

Personalized 1-on-1 phonics tutoring identifies specific gaps—whether it's sound recognition, blending, or decoding multisyllabic words—that may not be addressed in a classroom setting. A tutor can slow down, repeat concepts, and use targeted practice to build confidence and fluency at your child's pace.

Tutors also employ diagnostic assessment to understand if challenges stem from phonological awareness, phonics application, or both, then tailor instruction accordingly. This individualized approach often produces faster progress than classroom instruction alone.

Yes. Tutors understand major phonics curricula and can coordinate with your child's classroom approach—whether the school uses systematic phonics, balanced literacy, or other frameworks. This alignment ensures tutoring reinforces what's being taught at school without conflicting methods.

Many tutors also ask parents and teachers about specific skills being worked on in class, so they can supplement and strengthen learning in those exact areas.

Phonics teaches children to decode words by understanding sound-symbol relationships (blending sounds like /c/ /a/ /t/ into "cat"), while sight words are words recognized instantly without sounding them out (like "the" or "said"). Both are important for reading development.

A well-rounded phonics tutor teaches systematic sound relationships while also building automaticity with high-frequency sight words. Research supports explicit phonics instruction as foundational, especially for struggling readers, even as sight word vocabulary grows.

Many students show noticeable progress within 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring, though timeline depends on your child's starting point and frequency of sessions. A child just beginning phonics may move faster through initial concepts, while a struggling reader catching up may show progress through improved decoding confidence and reading fluency over a longer period.

Regular practice between sessions accelerates growth, and tutors typically recommend 1-2 sessions weekly for meaningful progress. Setting realistic milestones with a tutor helps you track improvement beyond just reading level gains.

The best phonics tutors combine strong knowledge of phonetic principles with patience and adaptability. Look for someone who can explain why certain sounds blend together, diagnose specific phonetic weaknesses, and adjust pacing based on your child's learning style—not just follow a script.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors experienced in phonics instruction who understand child development and use evidence-based methods. Many have backgrounds in reading intervention or have worked extensively with early readers, bringing depth beyond generic tutoring.

Absolutely. Phonics tutoring can be very effective for English language learners because it teaches the sound system explicitly. ESL students sometimes benefit even more from structured phonics instruction, as they're learning both the letter-sound relationships and pronunciation patterns simultaneously.

A tutor experienced with multilingual learners can address differences between your child's first language sound system and English, helping them navigate tricky pronunciations like "th" or vowel distinctions that may not exist in their native language.

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