Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Birmingham, AL
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Birmingham
Private 1-on-1 tutoring, weekly live classes for academic support, test prep & enrichment, practice tests and diagnostics, and more to elevate grades and test scores.
Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
UniversitiesSchools & Universities
DeliveredHours Delivered
ProficiencyGrowth in Proficiency
Who needs tutoring?
No obligation. Takes ~1 minute.
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 Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE). The Orton Gillingham (OG) approach consists of multi-sensory instruction that is direct, explicit, and systematic. Lessons are based on the individual needs of the student. It has been proven over time to be a very effective way to teach students with reading difficulties, including dyslexia, to read. I look forward to help you or your child experience the joy of learning to read.
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 difficulties. Having worked in an educational setting for over 11 years in Hong Kong, I am experienced in working with students from kindergarten all the way through to primary school.
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 training in Reading Recovery. I started my career teaching kindergarten and currently am a reading specialist in my school district, where I work one on one and in small groups with struggling readers. My passion is for tutoring early learners to help them gain the skills they need to grow as readers and writers. In my tutoring sessions I love to get to know my learners interests and personalities. I incorporate manipulatives, sight word games, leveled texts, and writing into sessions to make sessions more engaging. I love to build confidence in my learners by focusing on their strengths in order to get the most amount of growth out of my learners. My hobbies include exercise, spending time with my family, and going to the beach.
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 way. With a PhD in Curriculum Design and Educational Technologies and 17 years of experience in education, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical expertise to every session. But what sets me apart is my commitment to understanding your unique learning style. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all approachesevery student is different, and I tailor my lessons to meet your individual needs, pace, and interests. I take pride in creating a comfortable, supportive environment where questions are encouraged, and learning is both challenging and fun. I strive to build a rapport with my students, so they not only understand the material but also develop the confidence to apply it in real-world situations. Together, we'll work toward your academic or professional goals, and I'll be there to celebrate every success along the way. If you're ready to take the next step in your learning journey, I'd love to connect with you. Let's create a plan that works for you!
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 learning difficulties achieve their highest potential. I am fun, creative, and passionate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Orton Gillingham is a structured, multisensory approach to reading instruction that's particularly effective for students with dyslexia and reading difficulties. It teaches phonics systematically—breaking down the relationship between letters and sounds—and engages multiple senses (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) to help students build strong foundational reading skills. This method works by addressing the root causes of reading struggles rather than just treating symptoms, making it ideal for students in Birmingham who need targeted intervention.
Classroom reading instruction typically follows a pace designed for groups of 20-30 students, which may not match your child's individual learning speed or needs. Orton Gillingham tutoring provides personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your child's specific challenges, learning style, and pace—allowing tutors to spend focused time on foundational gaps and reinforce skills until mastery. With an average student-teacher ratio of 18.9:1 across Birmingham schools, personalized tutoring fills the gap by giving your child the individualized attention research shows is most effective for reading intervention.
Orton Gillingham can benefit students from early elementary through high school, though earlier intervention typically yields faster results. Students as young as kindergarten or first grade can begin if they show early signs of reading difficulty, while older students can absolutely benefit from catching up on foundational skills they may have missed. A tutor can assess your child's current reading level and determine the best starting point, regardless of age.
Many students begin showing noticeable progress—like improved letter-sound recognition and decoding skills—within 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring. More significant gains in reading fluency and comprehension typically emerge over several months of regular sessions. The timeline depends on your child's starting point, the severity of their reading difficulties, and session frequency, but consistent personalized instruction produces measurable results.
The first session focuses on assessment and building rapport. A tutor will evaluate your child's current reading level, identify specific challenges (like phoneme awareness, decoding, or fluency), and understand their learning style and interests. This information allows the tutor to create a personalized plan that targets your child's exact needs and keeps them engaged—setting the foundation for effective, tailored instruction.
Look for tutors trained in the Orton Gillingham method—ideally with certification from an accredited organization like the Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE) or similar credential. Beyond certification, experienced tutors understand how to adapt the structured approach to different learning styles and can explain their methodology clearly to parents. When you connect with Varsity Tutors, we match you with qualified tutors who have proven expertise in Orton Gillingham and experience working with students in Birmingham.
Your tutor will provide specific activities and practice materials aligned with what your child is learning in sessions—typically 15-30 minutes of daily practice yields the best results. Consistency matters more than intensity, so regular, shorter practice sessions at home reinforce skills and accelerate progress. Your tutor will guide you on how to support practice without frustration, and can adjust recommendations based on how your child is progressing.
Yes. While Orton Gillingham is a specific, structured method, it complements standard school curricula by building the foundational phonics and decoding skills that support all reading instruction. Your tutor can coordinate with your child's classroom teacher to ensure tutoring reinforces what's being taught in school and fills gaps without creating confusion. This alignment helps your child apply skills across both settings and accelerates overall reading growth.
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