Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Tampa, FL
Award-Winning
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Tampa
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 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!
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Orton Gillingham approach is a structured, multisensory method designed specifically for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. It teaches phonics systematically by connecting letters to sounds through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic engagement—helping students build strong foundational decoding skills.
Unlike typical classroom instruction that assumes all students learn the same way, Orton Gillingham breaks reading into explicit, sequential steps. Students for students in Tampa who struggle with phonemic awareness, decoding, or spelling often see significant improvement because the method addresses the root causes of reading difficulty rather than just the symptoms.
Consider Orton Gillingham tutoring if your child shows persistent difficulty with reading despite classroom instruction, struggles with phonics or decoding unfamiliar words, has a diagnosis of dyslexia, or reads significantly below grade level. Additional signs include difficulty rhyming, slow reading speed, or trouble spelling.
Personalized 1-on-1 instruction is especially valuable for students in Tampa because a tutor can assess exactly where your child's reading skills break down and design instruction around their specific needs—something difficult to do in a classroom with a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio.
Schools typically use general reading interventions that work for many students, but Orton Gillingham is specialized instruction designed for students with dyslexia and reading disabilities. It's more intensive, systematic, and multisensory than standard classroom reading support.
Personalized 1-on-1 Orton Gillingham instruction allows a tutor to follow your child's pace exactly, repeat concepts as needed without holding back or rushing ahead, and adjust techniques based on what's working. With Tampa's average class sizes, classroom teachers can't provide this level of individualized attention, which is why students with reading difficulties often benefit from supplemental tutoring.
Most students see noticeable progress within 4-8 weeks of consistent, personalized 1-on-1 instruction—including improved decoding accuracy, increased fluency, and greater confidence. However, the timeline depends on the severity of the reading difficulty, how frequently tutoring occurs, and how much reinforcement happens at home.
Orton Gillingham is cumulative, meaning students build skills sequentially and earlier progress unlocks faster advancement later. For lasting improvement, many students benefit from tutoring over several months, though even short-term instruction can establish stronger foundational skills that continue improving with practice.
Orton Gillingham works for students from early elementary through high school—even adults. The approach is equally effective for a struggling first grader just learning to read and a middle schooler with undiagnosed dyslexia who's fallen behind.
Early intervention is ideal because foundational reading skills are easier to establish in younger students, but older students absolutely benefit from explicit, structured instruction. Varsity Tutors connects students in Tampa of all ages with tutors trained in Orton Gillingham, ensuring personalized instruction that meets students where they are academically.
Look for tutors with formal training in the Orton Gillingham approach—ideally certification from the Academy of Orton Gillingham or equivalent specialized training. They should also have experience working with students who have dyslexia or reading disabilities and understand how to systematically teach phonics, phonemic awareness, and decoding.
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have expertise in Orton Gillingham methodology and proven experience helping students build reading skills. When you connect with a tutor, you can discuss their specific training, approach, and experience working with students in Tampa with similar reading challenges.
Consistent home practice is crucial—tutors typically assign practice activities (usually 15-20 minutes) between sessions to reinforce what's being learned. Practice might include word lists, phonetic exercises, or reading passages at your child's level. Ask your tutor specifically what to practice and how to handle mistakes during home practice.
Also create a low-pressure reading environment at home by having your child read books at their level, listening to audiobooks together, and celebrating small wins. Avoid pressuring your child or correcting every mistake—your role is to build confidence and maintain consistent practice, while the tutor handles the specialized instruction. This partnership between tutor and family typically leads to the strongest results for students in Tampa.
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