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Award-Winning Phonics Tutors

Certified Tutor
2+ years
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,...
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor

Certified Tutor
2+ years
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...
Harvard University
Bachelor

Certified Tutor
2+ years
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...
Harvard University
MED
University of Pennsylvania
MED

Certified Tutor
2+ years
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...
Rice University
BS

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Tallulah
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, Engl...
Northwestern University
Bachelor

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Vicente
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 ...
Cornell University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
2+ years
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...
Dartmouth College
AM

Certified Tutor
2+ years
I graduated from University of Houston with a bachelors in business management and entrepreneurship, and a minor in French. Throughout high school, I was a teacher's assistant for math and English and a peer mentor for students in all subjects. Since graduating, I have tutored private clients for st...
University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Norah
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.
Yale University
Bachelor

Certified Tutor
2+ years
I currently work as a Software Engineer and I have been tutoring students for quite some time and many have seen significant improvements in grades and overall understanding of concepts. I assess students' needs and level of knowledge, work to create customized lesson plans for each student, and pro...
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
BS
Top 20 English Subjects
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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.
Liza Alieva
AP Statistics Tutor • +50 Subjects
I am a recent grad from Virginia Tech. I majored in architecture and minored in computer science and art history during my studies there. I have been tutoring since 2018, both online and in-person. My students came with different goals and backgrounds - some wanted to take advanced level classes, some needed help after getting behind in their current ones. All of them have succeeded in the classes that I was tutoring and received good grades in those subjects. I tutor math (k-8, algebra 1 and 2, geometry), elementary and middle school English, as well as Russian. I am passionate about teaching because I love connecting with students, learning more about their learning styles, and finding a fun way to navigate them through learning. I had great teachers throughout my life and I want to be the person in students' lives that makes the hard material and hard questions easy and fun for them.
Abdullah
AP Calculus BC Tutor • +91 Subjects
Hello! My name is Abdullah Ahmed, and I'm a Sophomore Canadian student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at the American University in Cairo. As someone who has experienced diverse educational environments, I bring a unique perspective and a deep passion for helping students achieve their academic goals. With a strong foundation in STEM subjects and standardized testing, I graduated high school with honors, achieving a 34 on the ACT (99th percentile) and earning distinctions such as the College Board AP Scholar Award, and getting accepted into top 20 schools worldwide. My academic expertise spans mathematics, physics, computer science (including C++ programming), and standardized test preparation, including the ACT and AP exams. Beyond academics, I have practical experience in finance and analytics through my work as a private equity intern, where I developed complex financial models and automated data-intensive tasks. My tutoring experience includes mentoring students of various age groups, from teaching exam strategies to coaching younger students in sports and personal development. As a Senior Leader and National Honor Society member, I organized events, guided peers, and provided academic support, fostering a collaborative and motivating learning environment. What sets me apart is my ability to adapt to each student's learning stylevisual, auditory, or hands-on. Studying abroad has taught me the importance of tailoring approaches to suit individual needs and making learning engaging, especially in an online setting. I use clear visuals, real-world examples, and interactive techniques to keep students inspired and on track. Whether you need help mastering a math concept, learning C++ or Python programming, or preparing for a standardized test, I'm here to guide you with dedication and a personalized approach. Let's work together to achieve your goals and unlock your full potential!
Chaya
PSAT Writing Skills Tutor • +90 Subjects
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 passionate about helping students how to learn. Looking forward to working with you all. Go Blue!
Varsha
AP Statistics Tutor • +55 Subjects
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 to boost confidence and strengthen the understanding of topics. I know different people have different learning methods, and I would tutor according to whichever method fits best for the student. There is nothing better than watching someone have an "ah ha!" moment! I look forward to working with new students.
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.
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.
Alana
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +33 Subjects
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 for me to become a neurosurgeon. I was the captain of the Peer Tutoring Lab at my high school from 10th to 12th grade, so I have experience tutoring students from elementary to high school level. Because I understand the importance of fully grasping material and believe that students all approach content differently, I am a patient teacher willing to explain the same concept in different ways multiple times. I strive to create a warm, caring learning experience in my sessions because every student deserves a positive academic support system. I earned a score of 5 on both AP English Exams, a 1530 on the SAT, and won the National Merit Scholarship Competition in 2022. I'd love to work with you!
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!
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.
Top 20 Subjects
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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