Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors serving Hartford, CT

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Julia
Certified Orton Gillingham Tutor
Julia
AM Johns Hopkins University • AM Vassar College
7+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Sapna
Certified Orton Gillingham Tutor
Sapna
MSW Monash University
5+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Certified Orton Gillingham Tutor
Molly
AM McDaniel College • AM York College
5+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Certified Orton Gillingham Tutor
Derek
PhD Walden University • MS Walden University
1+ Years Tutoring

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!

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Certified Orton Gillingham Tutor
Julie
BA University of Notre Dame
2+ Years Tutoring

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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Certified Orton Gillingham Tutor
Mimi
MS Harvard University • BA Dartmouth College
6+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Certified Orton Gillingham Tutor
Aaron
BA The University of Texas at Dallas • Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering Duke University
10+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Certified Orton Gillingham Tutor
Nina
MS Columbia University • BA Northwestern University
10+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Certified Orton Gillingham Tutor
Reid
PhD Harvard University • BA Wesleyan University
1+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Certified Orton Gillingham Tutor
Christopher
BA Harvard College
1+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Certified Orton Gillingham Tutor
Michelle
MD Baylor College of Medicine • BA Rice University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medicine.

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Certified Orton Gillingham Tutor
Liz
MS Simmons College • BA Washington University in St. Louis
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received my Masters in Mild to Moderate Disabilities from Simmons College. I have worked extensively with students with a range of abilities, including students with specific learning disabilities, emotional impairments, dyslexia, and ADHD. My teaching experience has given me a deep understanding of the knowledge and habits essential to academic success and has given me the opportunity to hone a variety of strategies that ensure students at each level can achieve their academic goals. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, my favorite ones are Reading, Elementary/Middle School Math, History, and Test Prep. In my experience, tutoring is the most rewarding when a student has that "aha!" moment and achieves a new level of understanding and confidence in his/her abilities. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of education, and I see my role to be that of a facilitator and coach who is there to help the student reach his/her goals through individualized support and rigorous practice. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, practicing my Spanish, and discovering new music. I am also an avid traveler and just got back from a 3 month trip to South America. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!

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Testimonials

Because the right Orton Gillingham tutor makes all the difference.

4.9

Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings

Worked with an Orton Gillingham Tutor

Your customer interface is A+, being your agents or your site, The tutor you found for me is perfect, no formulas or canned lectures but easy flowing lecture addressing my needs. Congratulations for a job well done.

JA
Julio Aranovich
Worked with an Orton Gillingham Tutor

Heejin has been very patient with me. I work a full time job sometimes even on the weekends. It has been a slow process with my Korean classes, but Heejin has been wonderful and patient.

AH
Angela Hussein
Worked with an Orton Gillingham Tutor

My son has had many quality tutors through this convenient service, and he can hop on at any time of day to get support for a homework assignment or test. It's very convenient and effective.

TR
Tara R
Worked with an Orton Gillingham Tutor

I've been working with my tutor for a few months now and the progress has been remarkable. The personalized attention and tailored lessons made all the difference compared to in-classroom learning.

MC
Michael Chen
Worked with an Orton Gillingham Tutor

The flexibility of scheduling combined with the quality of instruction is unmatched. I can get help exactly when I need it, whether that's late at night or early in the morning before a test.

PP
Priya Patel
Worked with an Orton Gillingham Tutor

My daughter went from dreading her sessions to looking forward to them. The tutor made the material engaging and built her confidence in ways I never thought possible. Highly recommend.

RW
Rebecca Williams

Frequently Asked Questions

The Orton Gillingham method is a structured, multisensory approach to reading instruction that's particularly effective for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. It teaches phonics systematically by connecting sounds to letters through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities, helping students build strong decoding skills from the ground up. For students in Hartford who struggle with traditional reading instruction, this evidence-based approach provides the explicit, sequential instruction that many need to develop reading confidence and fluency.

While Hartford's 10 school districts work hard to support all learners, classroom instruction typically follows a one-size-fits-all pace that doesn't always meet the needs of struggling readers. Personalized 1-on-1 Orton Gillingham instruction allows tutors to move at your student's pace, focus on their specific phonetic gaps, and use multisensory techniques tailored to how they learn best. This individualized approach means your student gets immediate feedback and can master each skill before moving forward, rather than falling further behind.

Orton Gillingham can be effective from early elementary through high school and beyond, depending on when reading difficulties are identified. Younger students benefit from preventive instruction that builds strong phonetic foundations, while older students often use it to remediate gaps and catch up to grade-level expectations. Tutors can assess where your student is and design a program that addresses their current needs, whether they're in elementary, middle, or high school.

Orton Gillingham is designed to help students who struggle with phonemic awareness, decoding, spelling, and fluency—common challenges for students with dyslexia or other reading disabilities. It's also effective for students who've had inconsistent reading instruction or those who haven't responded well to other teaching methods. By systematically building the foundational skills these students often lack, Orton Gillingham helps them develop the confidence and competence to read independently.

In the first session, a tutor will assess your student's current reading level, identify specific phonetic gaps, and understand how they learn best. This diagnostic approach helps the tutor create a personalized plan tailored to your student's needs and goals. You'll also discuss what success looks like for your family and establish a clear path forward for building reading skills.

Many students begin showing improved phonetic awareness and decoding skills within a few weeks of consistent instruction, though the timeline varies based on the severity of their reading difficulties and how frequently they receive tutoring. Significant progress in fluency and comprehension typically develops over months of regular practice and instruction. Consistency is key—students who work with tutors regularly and practice between sessions see the most substantial gains.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have expertise in structured literacy and the Orton Gillingham method. When you reach out, you can discuss your student's specific challenges, and we'll match them with a tutor whose experience and teaching style fit your family's needs. Our tutors understand the Hartford area and can provide personalized instruction that works with your student's school and home schedule.

Yes, tutors can coordinate with your student's classroom instruction to reinforce what they're learning while filling in foundational gaps. Orton Gillingham's systematic approach complements most reading curricula used in Hartford schools, and tutors can adapt their instruction to support your student's specific classroom needs. This alignment helps your student feel more confident in class and see real progress in their schoolwork.

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