
Kathleen : Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...real world experience as an educator, having spent the past 12 years working as a private tutor for a high volume of students with a variety of needs. I served as a lead teacher in high needs schools with diverse populations of students, in both the general education and special education settings. I have vast experience writing high quality, Common Core aligned assessments for a literacy-based educational technology company. I was specially selected to edit...
Education & Certification
James Madison University - Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education

Peter: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...child in need of some academic help. I can keep a child engaged and keep to the subject matter. My strong suits are the basic sciences of Chemistry and Physics as well as Mathematics. I have taught the essentials of mechanics and engineering using Lego and I have taught the basics of civics and business as a Junior Achievement teacher in the upper elementary schools. I worked with adults as an English as a Second...
Education & Certification
Charter Oak State College - Bachelor in Arts, Business Communications

Margaret: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...of Science in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. Until very recently, I have been working as a lead elementary school teacher in Atlanta, GA. During this time, I enjoyed teaching both fifth and second grades. I was responsible for teaching and planning all subjects. Before and after school, I had the opportunity to tutor students individually. The experience of seeing academic and emotional progress in a child is remarkable and very rewarding. In...
Education & Certification
University of Alabama - Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education
State Certified Teacher

Ellen: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
I have been in the education field as a teacher and a trainer for over 25 years. I enjoy taking students through the learning process and seeing how they grow academically. I especially like seeing the "lightbulb" turn on over their heads, as they finally grasp something that they have been unable to before!
Education & Certification
Long Island University - Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education
Nova Southeastern University - Master of Science, Early Childhood Education
State Certified Teacher

Meagan: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...my Bachelor's in Exceptional Student Education in May 2013, with a minor in Women's Studies. After I graduated, I accepted a position teaching students with disabilities at a local middle school in Tampa, Florida. I teach Language Arts to students who struggle on a daily basis. My classes also include students learning English and students who struggle with test-taking. I am available to tutor a broad range of subjects but I'm most passionate about English...
Education & Certification
University of South Florida-Main Campus - Bachelor of Science, Exceptional Student Education

Jeff: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...try to see my students as a whole picture, so I can cater to their strengths while helping them where they might struggle. With new students, I assess their initial basic knowledge so that together we can map where each student needs to go. This approach results in a plan that caters to each student's distinctive learning style. When not teaching, I love to get out of the city and into the outdoors. You can...
Education & Certification
Whitman College - Bachelor in Arts, Theatre (Dramatic Literature)
University of Durham, UK - PHD, History

Anne: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...English Literature from Columbia University in New York. A resident of Greenwich Village, NYC, for 25 years, I home schooled my three children, now ages 14, 19, and 22. I have taught every aspect of English, from teaching my kindergarteners to read and write, to elementary, junior high, and high school grammar, spelling, writing, and American and European literature. I've taught classes and worked with students one-on-one. I've also helped prepare students for the English...
Education & Certification
Colgate University - Bachelor in Arts, English
Columbia University in the City of New York - Master of Arts, English

Twaina: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...I have always enjoyed helping people. While obtaining my bachelor's degree from Morris Brown College in psychology, I tutored at the student center part-time. After graduation, I started working as a paraprofessional with Clayton County Schools and continued to tutor students in the after school program. I became more passionate about learning when I became a parent of a son who struggled in school. We worked diligently on his school work, but he continued to...
Education & Certification
Morris Brown College - Bachelors, Psychology
Grand Canyon University - Masters, Education concentration in Special Education

Kaysley: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
I am a certified public school teacher with experience with both special education and general education students. I have my master's in education. Reading is my specialty. I would love to teach your student!
Education & Certification
Northeastern State University - Bachelor of Science, Special Education
Northeastern State University - Master of Arts Teaching, Reading Teacher Education

Jean: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...middle school Science, Social Studies, and English Language Arts. I have experience teaching kindergarten, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. I also have experience tutoring high school, and college courses. I enjoy writing and often edit and revise papers for college students as well as provide feedback and guidance. I also tutor in math, history, English, science, and enjoy teaching many other subjects. I have seen great success in my students. I am very creative and...
Education & Certification
Southern New Hampshire University - Bachelor in Arts, Social Sciences
Southern New Hampshire University - Masters in Business Administration, Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision

Jacqueline: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...newborn baby, Oliver. I hope to be able to tutor to stay connected to my love of teaching. I have taught for the City of St. Charles School District since January 2006. Over the past eight years, I have taught both at middle and elementary school levels and also special and regular education settings. More specifically, I taught seventh and eighth grade special education (CWC and self-contained both) and third and fourth grade regular elementary...
Education & Certification
Southeast Missouri State University - Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education
Missouri Baptist University - Master of Arts, Education/Curriculum and Instruction
State Certified Teacher

Sherry: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...year olds, but have worked with children of all ages. I have helped turn reluctant readers into avid ones, and avowed math haters into competent, confident math students. I also teach organizational strategies and study skills that are so important for academic success. I am a nurturing and dedicated teacher. I quickly connect with my students and help them develop a positive attitude toward their work. My goal is to develop happy, strong and effective...
Education & Certification
Chestnut Hill College - Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education
State Certified Teacher

Kristy: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...their academic goals. I started tutoring in undergraduate. I tutored students in kindergarten through ninth grade in reading, writing, and math. After undergraduate, I provided academic coaching to middle school students. Next, I was a paraprofessional for students with learning disabilities and autism. Last, I taught kindergarten. I have a wide range of tutoring and teaching experience, and I love to help students get excited about learning. I currently am an attorney, so I have...
Education & Certification
Elon University - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Rutgers Law School - Juris Doctor, Legal Studies

Shari: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
I am a Reading Specialist. I have been teaching for over 20 years. I really enjoy working one-on-one to teach reading and writing. This allows me to plan lessons according to an individual stident's strengths and interests.
Education & Certification
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - Bachelor of Science, Elementary School Teaching
New Jersey City University - Master of Science, Reading Teacher Education

Emily: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...Starwood Hotels & Resorts. I have always had a passion for academia and helping others; this is why I have selected the opportunity to work with Varsity Tutors. From the time I was in elementary school I have participated in tutoring, test prep, academic counseling, and other activities. My strongest areas include: Writing, all levels of English Language and Literature, History, and all elementary and junior high level education. I am definitely an outgoing person...
Education & Certification
Arizona State University - Bachelor of Science, Hospitality Management

Katherine: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...tutored Spanish, Math, and all things English. I can help you with all of your writing goals. I specialize in Academic writing, the writing process, editing, and writing for standardized tests. I am known in some circles as the Grammar Specialist. If you are confused with structures and usage, I would love to work with you. I can also help you with Reading, Phonics, or Literature. My day job is to train teachers who teach...
Education & Certification
Boston University - Bachelor in Arts, Art History/Philosophy

Cheryl: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...gained a broad range of teaching experience. I have taught elementary school for twelve years, middle school for one year, and high school for two years. I also acquired a Master's degree in 2012 from Piedmont College. Having recently taken courses in education/instruction, I feel even more secure in my instructional approaches, different teaching styles, and techniques. Over the past fifteen years, I have taught many subjects such as: Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, and...
Education & Certification
Jacksonville State - Bachelor of Science, Special Education
Piedmont College - Master of Arts, Early Childhood Education
State Certified Teacher

Lauren: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
...center in high school, and I've been growing as an educator and honing my craft ever since. I've enjoyed tutoring in a college writing lab, a K-5 reading center, various tutoring companies and school programs, as a volunteer, and as the coordinator of a community college tutoring program. My love of tutoring, particularly in the areas of reading, writing, and critical thinking, led me to pursue my MS in Education with an emphasis in reading...
Education & Certification
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - Bachelors, English
California State University-Fullerton - Masters, Education with an emphasis in reading instruction

Mary: Phonics tutor
Certified Phonics Tutor
I make it my personal goal to make sure that all students are successful.
Education & Certification
University of North Florida - Bachelors, Education
Why Choose Varsity Tutors for Phonics Tutoring
Dedicated Private Phonics Tutoring Online
If your student is taking a phonics class, they may not be getting all that they could be out of that learning opportunity. Tutoring can solve this problem.
Consider reaching out to Varsity Tutors to set your student up with a phonics tutor who can help them grow. We help learners find private instructors who are uniquely equipped to help them reach for their goals. This involves locating educators who have proven subject matter expertise, strong communication skills, and the ability to create personalized learning plans. We'd love to find a tutor who can help your student improve in phonics.
Proven Phonics Help For All Levels
Phonics tutoring is the perfect companion for the work your student has done in the classroom, regardless of their current skill level. When your student meets with a private phonics instructor, their needs will be the top priority.
Their educator can create a customized lesson plan that covers initial consonant blends, letter and sound recognition, and H digraphs among other topics. Your student will be able to work at their own pace and stop to ask for additional assistance as they need it. The work they do through tutoring can help them make more efficient progress towards their reading goals.
Improve Grades and Test Scores In Phonics
If you'd like for your student to start receiving better grades and test scores, phonics tutoring can be a strong step in the right direction. Studies have shown that tutoring can improve these important metrics of academic success in 8 out of 10 students.
The benefits of private instruction are found through the dedicated attention your student receives from their tutor. They can get the chance to spend as much or as little time as they need on the phonics topics they've found most challenging thus far. It can be extremely difficult to find this kind of academic assistance through other learning opportunities.
How much does a phonics tutor cost?
The cost of meeting with a phonics tutor is dependent upon what you'd like your student's learning plan to look like. Some of the factors that can affect the price you pay include how often you'd like study sessions to occur and how long you'd like them to be.
Additionally, working with a more experienced instructor may cost differently than working with someone who's newer. Varsity Tutors is happy to provide you with pricing information that's more relevant to your student's goals. To get that information, get in touch with us. We'll tell you more about your options and make specific recommendations to get your student started quickly.
How does online phonics tutoring work?
Thanks to modern technology, online tutoring has become very similar to in-person study sessions. When your student meets with their instructor, they'll do so on our Live Learning Platform.
The platform is full of helpful tools that will make your student feel as though they're in the same room as their instructor. These include integrated video chat, a virtual whiteboard, and a shared document editor. Additionally, each study session that your student has with their tutor will be recorded. You'll gain access to these recordings so that you and your student can review them together as often as you want.
Are phonics tutors worth it?
Phonics is a foundational subject, which is very important for young students to understand. Doing so will set the groundwork needed to accomplish reading tasks successfully for years to come.
A phonics tutor can help your student overcome the struggles they've had in this subject area. With personalized attention, your student can quickly begin building confidence in their reading skillset. Get in touch with Varsity Tutors when you're ready for your student to get started with a tutor. We look forward to working with you both.
How can a tutor help your student master Phonics?
For young students, phonics is a great foundation for literacy, reading, and writing; concerned parents can reach out to Varsity Tutors to connect with a phonics tutor who can work individually with students to help them get everything they can out of phonics tutoring sessions.
Phonics is one way a student learns to use words properly - they'll probably start learning these concepts as early as kindergarten. Written language can feel like codes to a youth who struggles, and some parents try to help lessen the stress by starting the search for a "phonics tutor near me." We understand how important it is for your student to learn things like the different relationships between letters and words. Finding a phonics tutor with help from Varsity Tutors gives your student more opportunities to practice and learn.
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If you think the young student in your life may be falling behind their peers, Varsity Tutors can set you up with a knowledgeable phonics tutor in as little as 24 hours. For many parents, phonics can be a difficult thing to try to teach to their children. Worse, some phonics problems stress general rules at the expense of accuracy, like pronouncing the "k" at the beginning of the word "knit" because your student hasn't been introduced to silent letters yet.
What all of that means is that you may not be able to help your student if they need help with their phonics studies. Thankfully, we can connect you to one of many certified phonics tutors who not only understands the basics of phonics but also knows how to effectively share that information with a young child. Read on for more information about how we might be able to help you.
What topics can my student study with the help of phonics tutors?
Phonics is actually a pretty involved subject covering a variety of topics, including consonants and short vowel sounds, consonant digraphs and blends, vowel patterns, syllable patterns, and affixes. Here is a quick refresher on what each of these concepts are:
1. Consonants and Short Vowel Sounds
This is the most basic concept in phonics. Consonants are speech sounds produced with a total or partial closing of the vocal tract, such as the letters "t," "d," and "f" in the English alphabet. They are contrasted by vowels such as "a" and "e" that do not require speakers to close their vocal tract to produce their corresponding sounds. These sounds are called "phonemes."
2. Consonant Digraphs and Blends
You're almost certainly familiar with digraphs, though you might not call them that. A digraph may be defined as a combination of letters that produces a sound that isn't signified by any letter in a language's alphabet. For example, the "sh" at the beginning of words like "shark" and "ship" is a unique sound that no individual letter produces. Some digraphs are also "leftover" from an earlier point in a language's history when there were distinct pronunciations that no longer exist. For example, the digraph "ph" produces an "f" sound in words like phone, but it would be incorrect to spell it "fone."
3. Long Vowels
Long vowels are longer than their shorter counterparts, though they are denoted by the same letters in English. The concept is typically taught as a vowel saying its own name, such as the "a" in "may" or the "i" in "mine."
4. Syllable Patterns
Syllables are the phonological building blocks of language, and phonics instruction generally involves identifying and counting them. A vowel sound usually serves as the "nucleus" or core of a syllable, with optional consonant sounds on its beginning or end.
5. Affixes
An affix is the addition of particular letters to a base word that changes its meaning in a predictable manner. For example, adding an "s" to most nouns in English makes it plural. Both prefixes and suffixes may be considered affixes.
What are the benefits of working with phonics tutors?
Your student's classroom teacher is likely to teach phonics from kindergarten to second grade, but the volume of children in the class prevent any one student from getting the kind of individualized attention that may be necessary for it to sink in. Furthermore, younger children may be too nervous to ask for help in front of their friends even if they realize they need it. This can prove problematic, as students are expected to be able to read and write basic words by the conclusion of second grade.
Working with a professional phonics tutor can help solve both of these problems above. Your student can work with a knowledgeable phonics expert in a one-on-one learning environment where they don't need to worry about anyone making fun of them because they are learning a little more slowly than everyone else. In fact, your child may establish a personal rapport with their instructor that makes it easier for them to ask for help as necessary.
Any questions your student asks can also be answered quickly, ensuring that they receive clarification before a minor misunderstanding gains momentum. Furthermore, their completed assignments can be returned with feedback expediently, allowing them to correct any mistakes while the material remains fresh in their mind.
Studying with a private phonics tutor also allows your student to study at their preferred pace. If they already understand how to read and phonics bores them to tears, their instructor can aggressively introduce new concepts to make their study sessions more engaging. If they're having a hard time distinguishing between short and long vowel sounds, their instructor can slow down and provide additional examples until they are ready to move onto the next thing.
Phonics tutoring sessions can also be designed around your student's preferred learning style to optimize their study efficiency. If your son or daughter is a visual learner, their instructor can incorporate charts, tables, and other visual aids to help them understand what sounds each letter can make. If they are more of a kinesthetic student, they might play with magnetic letters to develop a better understanding of the concepts taught in phonics. If your student is more auditory by nature, their instructor might utilize a lecture and discussion format with plenty of oral repetition to help key concepts stick in their head.
Since young children rarely want to sit down and study the way older students might, your student's instructor may also use games to make studying phonics more fun. There are a lot of educational video games that can help a student understand the principles of phonics, and your child's instructor can recommend a good one. Alternatively, they might invent a game using something as simple as flashcards to make studying more engaging.
Your child's tutor can also help you find resources to help you effectively reinforce the instruction your student receives in school and during phonics tutoring sessions. You can also receive regular progress reports to help you understand where your student is progressing and any areas of opportunity that could benefit from a little more work.
Why should my student study phonics?
As many as 87 percent of all English words can be successfully sounded out to some degree with phonics, allowing students to sound out a lot of potentially unfamiliar words. Working with phonics can also help young students identify linguistic patterns, potentially allowing them to achieve fluency more quickly. An approach called "synthetic phonics" also introduces students to writing through segmentation. Phonics may also help young children with spelling, though there are a lot of exceptions since many English sounds can be spelled in more than one way.
Perhaps most importantly, phonics is part of the English Common Core standards that students take standardized tests on throughout their academic lives. If your student is apprehensive about taking a test, their instructor can shoe them test-taking strategies for them to fall back on if they feel stuck. They may also demonstrate mindfulness techniques such as meditation if they are experiencing test anxiety.
What makes Varsity Tutors such a powerful educational resource?
If you were going to try and find your own private instructor for your student, you would need to make sure that they understand phonics, a subject that most adults haven't thought about in years. You would also need to make sure that they know how to work with young children, as working with a four-year old bears little similarity to helping a teenager prepare for something like the SAT. Finally, you would need to make sure your schedules are compatible. As a busy parent, do you really have time for all of that?
Probably not, which is why we specialize in taking the hassle out of private instruction. We maintain a database of thousands of independent tutors, helping us find you somebody who meets all of your phonics tutoring needs quickly and efficiently. We also offer an exclusive Live Learning Platform that allows your child to receive face-to-face instruction online, so you don't need to worry about cleaning up the house because the instructor is coming over or driving your student anywhere. Powerful features such as video chat functionality and a virtual whiteboard ensure that your student's study sessions are just as effective as meeting up in person would be, so you're not compromising efficacy for convenience either.
You are also in complete control over when study sessions take place, allowing your young student to continue pursuing any extracurricular activities they enjoy while also working on their phonics skills. For instance, there never needs to be a session on a Sunday if you prefer to devote the day to family time.
Educational consultants are currently standing by to help you in any way they can, so what are you waiting for? Contact Varsity Tutors using the information provided below today to help your student start working with knowledgeable phonics tutors who can help them reach for their academic potential!