Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Riverside, CA
Award-Winning
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Riverside
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.
I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all subjects, I take a creative, inquiry-based and learner-centered approach, designing opportunities for each unique individual to meet their learning goals.
I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old electronics, playing Pokemon, or picking at my guitar.
I am a recent graduate from a masters program in biostatistics at Columbia University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, with a focus in neurobiology at Northwestern University. In August, I will be starting a doctoral program in biostatistics at NYU. I was a teaching assistant at Columbia University in my department and also have tutored graduate students and undergraduates privately as well. My primary areas of tutoring are math and statistics coursework in addition to math sections on standardized tests such as the GRE and GMAT. I am very passionate about helping students feel more confident and excited about math. In my spare time, I enjoy running, playing piano, and spending time with friends and family.
I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults towards passing the US Citizenship Exam and taught English in India, where I lived for six months. Whenever I work with a student I personalize the lessons to fit their particular learning style, since I know every student is unique and having the right fit can make all the difference in making learning fun and effective. My strengths are tutoring the social sciences and humanities, as well as making math and standardized tests approachable to students that normally don't like those subjects. In my spare time I like traveling, spending time in the outdoors (climbing & backpacking), meditation, and playing soccer. Next fall I will be beginning my PhD in Education at Harvard University.
I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tutor for both Math and Spanish programs in high school and enjoyed the strides I made with students. I am willing to tutor any subject I have a background in, but am strong in mathematics, the sciences, Spanish, history, writing, and ACT prep. I enjoy teaching mathematics most due to the joy I can see in children once they master a topic and can answer even pointed questions meant to stump them, and maybe even put their knowledge to real world use. As a tutor, I like to give a strong foundation to orient my student, and then gradually grant them more freedom and independence until they can feel themselves grasp the concept, pointing out pitfalls or common errors along the way; teachers who used these methods on me always left the most lasting impressions. Outside of my studies, I really enjoy listening to music, both old favorites and new interests, reading classics, and gaming/playing basketball with my friends.
I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campus); social sciences; and literature/writing.
I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals!
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Orton Gillingham approach is a multisensory, structured literacy method designed specifically for students with dyslexia and reading difficulties. It teaches phonics systematically by connecting sounds to letter formations through simultaneous visual, auditory, and kinesthetic engagement—helping students build strong decoding skills from the ground up.
Unlike typical classroom reading instruction that moves at a set pace, Orton Gillingham is individualized to meet each student where they are. This personalized approach addresses the root causes of reading struggles rather than just treating symptoms, leading to measurable improvements in decoding accuracy, fluency, and reading confidence over time.
Riverside's 7 school districts serve over 77,900 students with an average student-teacher ratio of 22.8:1, making it challenging for classroom teachers to provide the individualized attention that struggling readers often need. While schools offer valuable support, many students benefit from the focused, one-on-one instruction that Orton Gillingham tutoring provides.
Personalized tutoring allows for customized pacing, repeated practice on specific phonetic concepts, and immediate feedback tailored to each student's learning style. This targeted approach complements classroom instruction and can accelerate progress that might otherwise take much longer in a group setting.
Orton Gillingham can begin as early as kindergarten or first grade for students showing early signs of reading difficulty, such as struggling to recognize letter sounds or blend words. However, it's never too late to start—students in upper elementary, middle school, and even high school can benefit significantly from structured literacy instruction.
The ideal time to begin is typically when reading difficulties are first noticed, as early intervention prevents frustration and builds confidence. Tutors experienced in Orton Gillingham can assess where your student is and design an instructional sequence appropriate for their age and skill level.
While Orton Gillingham was originally developed for students with dyslexia, it's highly effective for any student struggling with phonics, decoding, or foundational reading skills. The structured, multisensory approach works well for students with general reading difficulties, language-based learning disabilities, or those who haven't responded to standard classroom reading instruction.
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors trained in Orton Gillingham methodology who can work with students at various skill levels and diagnoses. A tutor can evaluate your student's specific needs and determine if this approach is the right fit.
Many students begin noticing improvements in decoding accuracy and letter-sound recognition within the first 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring. However, progress depends on factors like the severity of reading difficulty, frequency of tutoring sessions, and the student's age and engagement level.
Most students benefit from 1-2 sessions per week over several months. Some students see significant gains in 3-6 months, while others may need longer-term support to reach proficiency. Your tutor will track progress regularly and adjust instruction to keep advancing your student's skills.
Consistent practice outside tutoring sessions is important for reinforcing the skills taught. Most tutors provide structured homework assignments that typically take 15-30 minutes daily—usually focusing on phonetic exercises, word building, reading passages, or handwriting practice aligned to what's being learned in sessions.
The homework is designed to be manageable and supportive, not overwhelming. Your tutor will explain the purpose of each assignment and show you how to help your student practice at home in a positive way that builds confidence rather than frustration.
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors in Riverside who specialize in Orton Gillingham and structured literacy instruction. When you reach out, describe your student's reading challenges and learning history, and we'll match you with a tutor experienced in this methodology and appropriate for your student's age and needs.
You can begin with a consultation to discuss your student's situation, ask questions about the tutor's approach and background, and determine if it's a good fit before committing to regular sessions.
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