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Award-Winning Phonics Tutors

Elias

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Elias

Bachelor
Elias's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra

I am attending the University of Pennsylvania where I am majoring in Bioengineering on the premed track, with my goal after graduation to become an orthopedic surgeon. My passion for tutoring stems from a genuine love for helping people discover their strengths and succeed in their learning journey,...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor

Brooke

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Brooke

Bachelor
Brooke's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra

Hi! I'm a student currently studying Government at Harvard, and I'm really looking forward to getting to work with you. I have experience tutoring high school students in a number of subjects, including math (Algebra 2 and Precalculus), English, History, and Spanish. I also have helped students writ...

Education

Harvard University

Bachelor

Zoe

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Zoe

MED
Zoe's other Tutor Subjects
Elementary School Math
Elementary School Science
Phonics
Essay Editing

Hello, I hold two soon-to-be three Ivy League degrees, an undergrad and graduate degree from the University of Pennslyvania and I am currently getting a second Masters from Harvard in Education Leadership. I know what it takes to write an essay or application to get into your dream school and specia...

Education

Harvard University

MED

University of Pennsylvania

MED

Molly

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Molly

BS
Molly's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math
Calculus

Currently I am a graduate student in Stanford University's Master's Program for Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling. Prior to my enrollment at Stanford, I worked as a Genetic Counseling Assistant for Igenomix, a genetic testing laboratory. I graduated from Cornell University in December of 2021 wi...

Education

Cornell University

BS

Tallulah

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Tallulah

Bachelor
Tallulah's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Elementary School Math
Math 1
Elementary Statistics

I recently graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Communications and a minor in Business. Since 2020, I have had the privilege of tutoring students of all ages, forming meaningful connections that I deeply cherish. While I tutor a diverse array of subjects, my passions lie in Math, Engl...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor

Isabelle

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Isabelle

Bachelor
Isabelle's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math
Algebra

I am a senior at Emory University studying Business and Theater. For the past six years, I have worked at a day camp for kids age 4-14, specifically helping campers who need extra assistance to thrive in the camp environment. While I love to tutor all subjects, I have the most fun teaching students ...

Education

Emory University

Bachelor

Maham

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Maham

BS
Maham's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Statistics
Middle School Math
Geometry

I am currently an undergraduate student at Rice University pursuing a bachelor of science in biochemistry and cell biology on the pre-med track. One of my most memorable experiences in the medical field has been working as a research intern at Texas Children's Hospital and collaborating with genetic...

Education

Rice University

BS

Vicente

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Vicente

Bachelor's
Vicente's other Tutor Subjects
K-12th Grade Social Studies
K-12th Grade Spanish
1st-12th Grade Writing
1st-9th Grade Science

As a dedicated educator with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, I bring over 10 years of tutoring and classroom experience across a wide spectrum of subjects, including AP Spanish Language & Culture, High School English, Debate, Essay Writing, Reading ...

Education

Cornell University

Bachelor's

Angela

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Angela

BS
Angela's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Elementary School Math
Middle School Science

I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Northeastern University and a Master's degree in Social Work from Boston University. I have tutored on Varsity Tutors since 2021 in subjects including math, science, writing, ESL, and Mandarin. My experience has primarily been with elementary and middle ...

Education

Northeastern University

BS

Sanjana

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Sanjana

Undergraduate Degree
Sanjana's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Middle School Math
Algebra

Hi! My name is Sanjana. I graduated from Michigan State University in 2023 with a degree in Human Biology. I have been tutoring students in my neighborhood and through the Varsity Tutors platform for the past 4 years, covering a range of subjects from elementary to high school, with a focus on math....

Education

Michigan State University

Undergraduate Degree

Meet Our Expert Tutors

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Sarah

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +50 Subjects

I'm a college student at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. I am in my junior year of a computer science degree. Outside of classes, I work as a college tour guide, IT technician, and camp counselor. I love working with young people to plan for and achieve success, especially as it pertains to test and college prep. I have been working with young people from an early age, at summer camps, church groups, and as a part of my college's admissions department. I am ready to adapt to every student's unique learning styles and habits, and I hope to see my work inspire a boost in performance and confidence for many.

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Cera

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +58 Subjects

I am a graduate of Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering. I am also a Salt Lake Community College graduate. I love building things, challenging the status quo, and studying the way the world works. I have tutored for just over three years, and I tutor physics, algebra, reading, and test prep. Physics is one of my passions because I love learning about the world around me. Physics is intuitive and learning the laws that govern the world around us helps expand our understanding. I am a very hands-on tutor. I believe that working directly with things and especially working on projects of interest helps us learn and make connections better than anything else. I love analogies, experiments, and anything else that helps bring the problems off the page and into the student's life. I love to invent and build things and I spend most of my spare time working on humanitarian teams through my university or sewing my own clothing.

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Daylee

12th Grade math Tutor • +47 Subjects

I'm a college student majoring in mathematics and information systems and technology. I'm a student at Lubbock Christian University. I have always enjoyed helping other students, whether it was students in my classes, serving as a teacher's aide, or helping my younger sisters. I'm passionate about helping people because most members of my family are educators. I, too, plan to be a teacher when I finish my degree. I am comfortable tutoring math, English, and some science courses. I can tutor reading comprehension and the basics of the Python computer language. I can also work with students on ACT prep as well as STAAR prep. I'm comfortable working with students of all ages. My favorite subject to tutor is math because that's my major. Outside of school, I run track and enjoy all sports. I also like music. I can play the guitar and the piano. I also enjoy hanging out with my friends and family!

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Aditi

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +41 Subjects

I currently work as a Software Engineer and I have been tutoring students for quite some time and many have seen significant improvements in grades and overall understanding of concepts. I assess students' needs and level of knowledge, work to create customized lesson plans for each student, and provide material to improve my students' comprehension of topics taught in school. I also offer tips and tricks to improve both accuracy and speed in both English and Mathematics and supplement students' school work in providing homework that aim to reinforce concepts and stimulate creativity. Give your child the advantage and help them achieve academic excellence with my one on one tutoring services! The students I have worked with improved their grades from a C to an A and are even being given the opportunity to take extra enrichment classes as a result of their performance in class. I can offer tips and tricks to make this possible! Feel free to reach out with questions about my qualifications or to get to know me! I'm looking forward to working with you!

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Liza Alieva

AP Statistics Tutor • +50 Subjects

I am a recent grad from Virginia Tech. I majored in architecture and minored in computer science and art history during my studies there. I have been tutoring since 2018, both online and in-person. My students came with different goals and backgrounds - some wanted to take advanced level classes, some needed help after getting behind in their current ones. All of them have succeeded in the classes that I was tutoring and received good grades in those subjects. I tutor math (k-8, algebra 1 and 2, geometry), elementary and middle school English, as well as Russian. I am passionate about teaching because I love connecting with students, learning more about their learning styles, and finding a fun way to navigate them through learning. I had great teachers throughout my life and I want to be the person in students' lives that makes the hard material and hard questions easy and fun for them.

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Zachary

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +50 Subjects

I am a driven, positive, affirming tutor who is happy to help students in any way he can. I graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College in 2020, and I obtained my Master's in Political Science from the University of Toronto in 2022. In 2016, I received an SAT score of 1550. That year, I also received a 5 on my AP exams in Calculus AB, English Language, U.S. History, and U.S. Government. I am happy to tutor students in mathematics, English, and social sciences (e.g., history, government). I especially enjoy tutoring pre-algebra and algebra. I believe in a practice-based approach in which I take students step-by-step through the concepts at hand. After practicing together with my guidance, the student will soon be able to apply what they have learned on their own.

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Juliana

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects

I am a student at Yale University and am currently planning on majoring in neuroscience with concentrations in the history of medicine and public health. I tutored a variety of subjects in high school with students K-12. I am most passionate about science and math, but I also have a strong background in reading and writing courses. I am very passionate about education and believe that it is critical to a student's discipline and development of many other life skills. In my spare time, I enjoy running, traveling, baking, and listening to all genres of music.

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Anna

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +33 Subjects

I am a recent graduate from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Economics! I tutor in Math and English and love helping my students achieve their academic best! I have 5 years of professional tutoring experience and have worked with students in grades K-12.

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Alana

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +33 Subjects

Hello there! I would love to work with your student! I was the valedictorian of my high school, earning my diploma with a 4.6328 GPA (the highest in the history of my school), and I recently graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor's in Neurobiology and Behavior as I pursue God's calling for me to become a neurosurgeon. I was the captain of the Peer Tutoring Lab at my high school from 10th to 12th grade, so I have experience tutoring students from elementary to high school level. Because I understand the importance of fully grasping material and believe that students all approach content differently, I am a patient teacher willing to explain the same concept in different ways multiple times. I strive to create a warm, caring learning experience in my sessions because every student deserves a positive academic support system. I earned a score of 5 on both AP English Exams, a 1530 on the SAT, and won the National Merit Scholarship Competition in 2022. I'd love to work with you!

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Norah

Biology Tutor • +29 Subjects

I am a Yale undergraduate student majoring in American Studies! I am interested in education, specifically the subjects history and social studies, because I believe it is very important to have a holistic understanding of the world and communities we live in. I am interested in reading and writing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most children benefit from phonics instruction between ages 4-6, though the right time varies by individual. Some children show early interest in letters and sounds as young as 3, while others are ready a bit later. The key is that your child should have some foundational oral language skills and be interested in written words.

A tutor can assess your child's readiness and current phonetic understanding to determine the best starting point, whether that's basic letter recognition or more advanced phonetic patterns.

Personalized 1-on-1 phonics tutoring identifies specific gaps—whether it's sound recognition, blending, or decoding multisyllabic words—that may not be addressed in a classroom setting. A tutor can slow down, repeat concepts, and use targeted practice to build confidence and fluency at your child's pace.

Tutors also employ diagnostic assessment to understand if challenges stem from phonological awareness, phonics application, or both, then tailor instruction accordingly. This individualized approach often produces faster progress than classroom instruction alone.

Yes. Tutors understand major phonics curricula and can coordinate with your child's classroom approach—whether the school uses systematic phonics, balanced literacy, or other frameworks. This alignment ensures tutoring reinforces what's being taught at school without conflicting methods.

Many tutors also ask parents and teachers about specific skills being worked on in class, so they can supplement and strengthen learning in those exact areas.

Phonics teaches children to decode words by understanding sound-symbol relationships (blending sounds like /c/ /a/ /t/ into "cat"), while sight words are words recognized instantly without sounding them out (like "the" or "said"). Both are important for reading development.

A well-rounded phonics tutor teaches systematic sound relationships while also building automaticity with high-frequency sight words. Research supports explicit phonics instruction as foundational, especially for struggling readers, even as sight word vocabulary grows.

Many students show noticeable progress within 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring, though timeline depends on your child's starting point and frequency of sessions. A child just beginning phonics may move faster through initial concepts, while a struggling reader catching up may show progress through improved decoding confidence and reading fluency over a longer period.

Regular practice between sessions accelerates growth, and tutors typically recommend 1-2 sessions weekly for meaningful progress. Setting realistic milestones with a tutor helps you track improvement beyond just reading level gains.

The best phonics tutors combine strong knowledge of phonetic principles with patience and adaptability. Look for someone who can explain why certain sounds blend together, diagnose specific phonetic weaknesses, and adjust pacing based on your child's learning style—not just follow a script.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors experienced in phonics instruction who understand child development and use evidence-based methods. Many have backgrounds in reading intervention or have worked extensively with early readers, bringing depth beyond generic tutoring.

Absolutely. Phonics tutoring can be very effective for English language learners because it teaches the sound system explicitly. ESL students sometimes benefit even more from structured phonics instruction, as they're learning both the letter-sound relationships and pronunciation patterns simultaneously.

A tutor experienced with multilingual learners can address differences between your child's first language sound system and English, helping them navigate tricky pronunciations like "th" or vowel distinctions that may not exist in their native language.

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