Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Indianapolis, IN
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Indianapolis
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
Orton Gillingham is a structured, multisensory approach to reading instruction that emphasizes explicit phonics and the alphabetic principle. Unlike traditional classroom reading methods that often blend multiple approaches, Orton Gillingham breaks down language into its component parts—teaching students the sounds letters make, how to blend them, and the rules governing English spelling. This systematic method is particularly effective for students with dyslexia or those who struggle with phonetic decoding, as it provides the explicit, sequential instruction that many students need to build strong foundational reading skills.
Orton Gillingham is ideal for students with dyslexia, reading delays, or difficulty decoding words—but it also helps any student who needs explicit, structured phonics instruction. Students who struggle despite classroom reading instruction, reverse letters or numbers, have trouble sounding out unfamiliar words, or read slowly and laboriously often see significant gains with this approach. The method works well across elementary through high school ages, and even adults benefit from its systematic foundation.
In Indianapolis classrooms with an average 19:1 student-teacher ratio, teachers must balance instruction across many learners with varying needs. Personalized 1-on-1 Orton Gillingham tutoring allows tutors to pace instruction to each student's exact level, repeat concepts until mastery, and adjust multisensory techniques based on individual learning preferences. Tutors can also diagnose specific gaps—whether a student struggles with consonant blends, vowel patterns, or syllable division—and target instruction precisely, rather than moving through a curriculum at a fixed pace.
Orton Gillingham is a foundational reading method that complements—rather than conflicts with—most school curricula. Tutors focus on building core phonetic skills and decoding ability, which strengthens performance across any reading program. Many Indianapolis schools incorporate phonics elements, and the explicit, sequential nature of Orton Gillingham accelerates skill development so students can apply stronger decoding to classroom reading assignments, comprehension activities, and grade-level texts.
Many students show noticeable improvement in decoding accuracy and fluency within 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring, though the timeline depends on the student's starting level and frequency of sessions. Students with significant reading delays or dyslexia may benefit from longer-term tutoring to build automaticity and confidence. Consistent practice between sessions—reinforcing lessons at home—accelerates progress and helps skills transfer to classroom reading and independent work.
The first session typically includes an assessment to identify the student's current reading level, specific strengths, and areas of difficulty—such as phonemic awareness, letter-sound knowledge, or decoding ability. Tutors use this information to develop a personalized instruction plan and introduce foundational Orton Gillingham techniques, often incorporating multisensory activities like tracing letters, blending sounds, or using manipulatives. This initial meeting establishes the baseline for tracking progress and ensures tutoring is tailored to the student's unique needs.
The multisensory component engages multiple learning pathways—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic—which strengthens memory and reinforces phonetic patterns. Students trace letters while saying sounds, use textured materials to feel letter shapes, or write words while speaking syllables aloud. This multi-channel approach is especially powerful for students with dyslexia or weak phonological processing, as it creates stronger neural pathways and helps struggling readers internalize letter-sound relationships more effectively than reading or writing alone.
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors trained in Orton Gillingham methodology who understand the structured, explicit approach this method requires. When seeking a tutor, look for credentials like IDA (International Dyslexia Association) certification, formal Orton Gillingham training, or specialized reading intervention credentials. Varsity Tutors matches you with tutors who have the expertise to assess your child's needs and deliver personalized instruction aligned with Orton Gillingham principles.
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