Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Concord, CA
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Concord
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 understand the relationship between letters and sounds. It's particularly effective for students with dyslexia or reading difficulties because it breaks down phonics systematically, using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic techniques to reinforce learning. For students in Concord, this method can be especially valuable when classroom instruction—with typical student-teacher ratios around 20.9:1—doesn't provide the individualized attention needed to address specific reading gaps.
Orton Gillingham tutoring is highly individualized and diagnostic, meaning tutors assess exactly where a student is struggling and build a customized plan around their specific needs. In contrast, classroom reading instruction typically follows a set curriculum for all students at once. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to move at your child's pace, repeat concepts as needed, and use multisensory techniques that engage different learning pathways—something that's difficult to do in a group setting.
Orton Gillingham can be introduced as early as kindergarten for prevention, but it's most commonly used starting in first or second grade when reading difficulties become apparent. The method works for students of any age—from elementary through high school and even adults—because it addresses foundational phonics and decoding skills that may have been missed. If you're concerned about your child's reading progress, an assessment can help determine whether Orton Gillingham is the right fit.
Many students begin showing measurable progress in decoding and fluency within 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring, though the timeline depends on the severity of the reading difficulty and frequency of sessions. More significant improvements in reading comprehension and confidence often emerge after 3-6 months of regular instruction. Consistency is key—students who attend weekly sessions typically see faster progress than those with sporadic instruction.
The first session typically includes a comprehensive assessment to understand your student's current reading level, specific challenges (like letter recognition, phoneme awareness, or decoding), and learning style. The tutor will ask about the student's reading history, any diagnosed learning differences, and your goals for improvement. From this foundation, the tutor creates a personalized plan and may introduce initial multisensory techniques so you can see how the method works right away.
Look for tutors who have formal Orton Gillingham certification or training from an accredited program, as this ensures they understand the structured, sequential approach and multisensory techniques that make the method effective. Experience working with students who have dyslexia or reading difficulties is also valuable. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have the credentials and experience to deliver evidence-based reading instruction tailored to your student's needs.
Orton Gillingham is a foundational phonics and decoding approach that complements most school curricula, including California's literacy standards. While it focuses intensively on the mechanics of reading—letter-sound relationships, syllable patterns, and word structure—it doesn't replace classroom instruction but rather strengthens the underlying skills that make classroom learning more accessible. A tutor can coordinate with your student's teacher to ensure tutoring supports and reinforces what's happening in the classroom.
The multisensory approach engages multiple learning pathways—visual (seeing letters), auditory (hearing sounds), and kinesthetic (tracing or writing letters)—which helps students with different learning styles and those with reading difficulties form stronger neural connections. Research in learning science shows that combining sensory inputs increases retention and recall, especially for students who haven't responded well to traditional reading instruction. This approach is particularly beneficial for students with dyslexia, who often benefit from explicit, structured, and multisensory teaching.
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