Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Mesa, AZ
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Mesa
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 especially effective for students with dyslexia or phonological processing difficulties. The method teaches students to connect sounds with letter patterns through systematic, step-by-step lessons that engage multiple senses—sight, sound, and touch. For students in Mesa who struggle with decoding or fluency, this approach builds strong foundational skills that traditional classroom instruction may not address.
Classroom reading instruction typically moves at a pace designed for 20-30 students with varying needs, which can leave struggling readers behind. Orton Gillingham tutoring offers personalized 1-on-1 instruction that moves at your student's pace, allows tutors to diagnose specific gaps in phonics or decoding, and provides immediate, targeted feedback. Research on personalized instruction shows that 1-on-1 tutoring can significantly accelerate learning compared to group settings, especially for students with reading differences.
Orton Gillingham is effective across elementary, middle, and high school, though early intervention (grades K-2) often produces the fastest results. Students in upper grades who've struggled for years can still benefit greatly—the structured approach helps them fill foundational gaps and build reading confidence. Varsity Tutors connects students in Mesa at all grade levels with tutors trained in Orton Gillingham methodology.
Many students show noticeable progress in phonics and decoding within 4-6 weeks of consistent, twice-weekly sessions, though the timeline varies based on the severity of the reading difficulty and frequency of tutoring. Fluency and comprehension gains often follow as decoding becomes more automatic. Consistent practice between sessions accelerates progress, so tutors typically assign brief, focused homework to reinforce each lesson.
The first session focuses on assessment and getting to know your student. A tutor will evaluate your student's current reading level, identify specific phonics gaps or decoding challenges, and discuss learning history and any known reading differences. This diagnostic information helps the tutor design a personalized lesson plan that targets your student's exact needs, rather than following a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
Look for tutors who have formal training or certification in Orton Gillingham methodology, experience working with students who have dyslexia or reading differences, and a track record of helping students improve decoding and fluency. Ideally, tutors should understand phonological awareness, phonics, and how to adapt instruction based on student response. Varsity Tutors connects you with experienced tutors in Mesa who specialize in structured literacy approaches like Orton Gillingham.
Most students benefit from two 50-60 minute sessions per week, though frequency can be adjusted based on severity of need and budget. More frequent sessions (2-3 times weekly) typically produce faster results, while once-weekly sessions still help but require longer timelines. Consistency matters more than intensity—regular, predictable tutoring allows skills to build systematically over time.
Yes, absolutely. Orton Gillingham tutoring complements classroom reading instruction by providing structured, systematic phonics practice that reinforces what students learn at school. Many tutors in Mesa coordinate with classroom teachers to ensure tutoring aligns with grade-level expectations and supports your student's progress in class. The personalized approach fills gaps that classroom instruction may miss while building confidence in reading skills.
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