Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Mission Viejo, CA
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Mission Viejo
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 those who struggle with phonics, as it breaks reading into explicit, sequential steps and engages multiple senses (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) to reinforce learning. This systematic approach helps students build a strong foundation in decoding and spelling, leading to improved reading fluency and comprehension.
Classroom instruction in Mission Viejo schools typically follows a whole-class pace, but Orton Gillingham tutoring is individualized and moves at your student's speed. A tutor can focus intensively on your child's specific gaps—whether that's letter-sound correspondence, blending, or decoding multisyllabic words—without the pressure to keep up with 20+ classmates. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction also allows tutors to adapt the method to your student's learning style, providing immediate feedback and adjusting lessons based on what's working.
Students with dyslexia, struggling readers, and those who haven't responded well to traditional phonics instruction benefit significantly from this approach. It's also effective for students with ADHD or processing difficulties, since the structured, multisensory nature keeps them engaged. Even advanced readers can benefit from Orton Gillingham to strengthen spelling skills and tackle more complex texts with confidence.
Many students show noticeable progress in letter-sound recognition and basic decoding within 4-6 weeks of consistent, weekly tutoring. More significant gains in reading fluency and comprehension typically emerge over 3-6 months, depending on the severity of the initial struggle and how frequently your student receives instruction. The key is consistency—regular sessions combined with practice at home accelerate progress and build lasting skills.
Orton Gillingham is effective from early elementary through high school and even into adulthood. For younger students (K-2), it strengthens foundational phonics skills. For upper elementary and middle school students, it addresses reading gaps and builds confidence in decoding longer, more complex words. High school students benefit from the method's structured approach to spelling, vocabulary, and reading comprehension—skills essential for academic success.
The first session typically includes an assessment of your student's current reading level, phonics knowledge, and specific challenges. The tutor will ask about your child's reading history, any diagnosed learning differences, and your goals. From there, the tutor will introduce the foundational Orton Gillingham techniques—often starting with letter-sound correspondence and multisensory activities—and establish a personalized plan moving forward. You'll also receive guidance on how to support practice at home.
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors in Mission Viejo who specialize in Orton Gillingham instruction and understand the specific needs of students in your area. When you get matched with a tutor, you can review their qualifications, experience with reading intervention, and approach to personalized instruction. Tutors work with you to schedule sessions that fit your family's needs and progress at a pace that works for your student.
Orton Gillingham complements California's reading standards by providing the explicit, systematic phonics instruction that supports students in meeting grade-level benchmarks. While classroom teachers may use different approaches, Orton Gillingham reinforces the same foundational skills—letter recognition, phonemic awareness, decoding, and comprehension—that students need to succeed. Many tutors working with Mission Viejo students coordinate with classroom teachers to ensure tutoring supports and accelerates progress toward school goals.
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