Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Colorado Springs, CO
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Colorado Springs
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 how letters and sounds connect systematically. It's particularly effective for students with dyslexia or reading difficulties because it breaks reading into explicit, sequential steps rather than relying on sight-word memorization. For students in Colorado Springs, personalized Orton Gillingham instruction can help address reading challenges that may not be fully supported in larger classroom settings.
Classroom reading instruction typically follows a pace designed for the average student, but Orton Gillingham tutoring provides personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your child's specific learning needs and speed. A tutor can diagnose exactly where reading breaks down—whether it's phoneme awareness, decoding, or fluency—and target those gaps directly. This individualized approach allows students to progress at their own pace without falling further behind their peers.
Students with dyslexia, reading delays, or difficulty connecting sounds to letters are ideal candidates, but Orton Gillingham also helps students who haven't responded well to other reading approaches. It's effective for elementary through high school students and can benefit both struggling readers and those looking to strengthen foundational skills. If your child is falling behind in reading despite classroom instruction, Varsity Tutors can connect you with tutors experienced in Orton Gillingham methods for students in Colorado Springs.
The initial session focuses on assessment—a tutor will evaluate your child's current reading level, identify specific areas of difficulty, and understand their learning style. They'll ask about previous reading instruction, any diagnoses like dyslexia, and your goals for improvement. From this foundation, the tutor develops a customized plan that starts with foundational skills and progresses systematically, ensuring your child builds confidence and competence from the ground up.
Most students begin showing measurable progress 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 decoding accuracy, fluency, and confidence often emerge within 2-3 months of regular instruction. Consistency is key—students who meet weekly or twice weekly typically see faster, more sustained progress than those with sporadic sessions.
Look for tutors who have formal training in the Orton Gillingham method, ideally through an accredited program or certification. Experience working with students who have dyslexia or reading disabilities is valuable, as is familiarity with phonemic awareness, decoding, and fluency instruction. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have demonstrated expertise in structured literacy approaches and understand how to adapt instruction to individual learning needs.
Orton Gillingham is a research-based, structured literacy approach that complements Colorado's literacy standards by building the foundational phonetic and decoding skills students need. While it's not a replacement for classroom instruction, it fills gaps and reinforces the systematic phonics foundation that Colorado schools emphasize. A tutor can coordinate with your child's school to ensure tutoring supports and accelerates what they're learning in class.
Varsity Tutors makes it easy to connect with tutors who specialize in Orton Gillingham instruction for students in Colorado Springs. Simply share your child's reading challenges and goals, and you'll be matched with a tutor whose expertise and availability fit your needs. Most families start with a consultation to discuss your child's specific situation and how personalized Orton Gillingham tutoring can help them become a confident, fluent reader.
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