Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Little Rock, AR
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Little Rock
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
The Orton Gillingham method is a structured, multisensory approach to reading instruction that teaches students to recognize the relationship between letters and sounds. It's particularly effective for students with dyslexia or reading difficulties because it breaks reading into explicit, sequential steps—combining visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning. For students in Little Rock who struggle with phonics or decoding, this systematic approach provides the foundational skills needed to build confidence and fluency.
Classroom instruction often moves at a pace designed for the average student, which can leave struggling readers behind. Orton Gillingham tutoring provides personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your child's specific needs, learning pace, and gaps in foundational skills. Tutors can focus on the exact areas where your child struggles—whether that's letter-sound correspondence, blending, or sight words—without the time constraints of a classroom setting with a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio.
Orton Gillingham can be introduced as early as kindergarten or first grade for foundational phonics instruction, but it's especially valuable for students in grades 2-5 who are struggling with reading despite typical classroom instruction. However, older students and even adults can benefit from the method if they have reading gaps or dyslexia. A tutor can assess your child's current reading level and determine whether Orton Gillingham is the right approach, regardless of their grade.
Most students begin to show measurable progress in phonetic awareness and decoding within 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring, though the timeline depends on the severity of the reading difficulty and frequency of sessions. Significant improvements in reading fluency and comprehension typically emerge over several months of regular instruction. Consistency is key—students who work with a tutor 2-3 times weekly tend to see faster progress than those with sporadic sessions.
Yes. Orton Gillingham tutoring complements classroom learning by reinforcing phonics and decoding skills that form the foundation for all reading instruction. Tutors can coordinate with your child's teacher to understand the school's curriculum and ensure tutoring supports and accelerates the skills being taught in class. This personalized approach helps fill gaps while keeping your child on track with grade-level expectations.
Expert Orton Gillingham tutors should have specialized training or certification in the method, combined with experience working with students who have reading difficulties or dyslexia. They should understand phonics, phonemic awareness, and how to adapt instruction to different learning styles. When you connect with Varsity Tutors, you'll be matched with tutors who have the expertise and background needed to deliver effective, structured reading instruction.
The first session typically focuses on assessment—the tutor will evaluate your child's current reading level, identify specific areas of struggle, and understand their learning style. This might include informal reading assessments, phonemic awareness checks, or discussions about reading history. From this foundation, the tutor will create a personalized plan and begin introducing Orton Gillingham techniques in the second session.
Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Little Rock who specialize in Orton Gillingham instruction and reading support. You can share details about your child's reading challenges and grade level, and we'll match you with a tutor whose expertise and availability fit your needs. The process is straightforward—get in touch, and we'll help you find the right fit for your child's reading journey.
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