Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Wichita, KS
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Wichita
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'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 Wichita who struggle with reading fluency or comprehension, this method provides a proven alternative to traditional classroom instruction.
Classroom reading instruction typically moves at a pace designed for the average student, while Orton Gillingham tutoring offers personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your child's specific needs and learning speed. Tutors using this method provide intensive, systematic phonics instruction with immediate feedback and multisensory reinforcement that's difficult to replicate in a classroom setting with a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. This personalized approach allows tutors to identify gaps in foundational skills and address them directly before moving forward.
Orton Gillingham is effective for students from early elementary through high school, though it's most commonly used for students in grades K-6 who are struggling with foundational reading skills. Older students can also benefit significantly, especially if they have undiagnosed dyslexia or gaps in phonetic knowledge that have accumulated over years. The key is starting as early as possible—students who receive Orton Gillingham instruction in elementary grades typically see faster progress than those who begin in later grades.
While Orton Gillingham was originally developed for students with dyslexia, it's beneficial for any student who struggles with phonics, decoding, or reading fluency. Students with other learning differences, English language learners, and students who simply haven't responded well to traditional reading instruction all can benefit from this structured, explicit approach. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can assess whether Orton Gillingham is the right fit for your child's specific reading challenges.
During the initial session, a tutor will typically assess your child's current reading level, identify specific areas of difficulty (like phoneme awareness, letter-sound correspondence, or blending), and discuss your child's learning style and goals. This diagnostic approach helps the tutor create a customized lesson plan that starts at your child's current level rather than assuming where they should be. You'll also learn what to expect from the tutoring process and how to support your child's progress at home.
Most students begin showing measurable improvement in phonics knowledge and decoding accuracy within 4-6 weeks of consistent tutoring, though the timeline varies based on the severity of the reading difficulty and how frequently sessions occur. Significant improvements in reading fluency and confidence typically develop over several months of regular instruction. Consistency is key—students who attend sessions weekly and practice skills at home see faster progress than those with sporadic tutoring.
Expert tutors using Orton Gillingham should have formal training in the Orton Gillingham method, ideally through certification programs or extensive coursework in structured literacy instruction. They should also have experience working with students who have reading difficulties or dyslexia and understand how to assess reading skills and adjust instruction based on student progress. When you connect with Varsity Tutors, you'll be matched with tutors who have demonstrated expertise in this specific approach.
Tutors will provide specific practice activities and homework assignments designed to reinforce the skills taught during sessions—consistency with these assignments is crucial for progress. You can also create a supportive reading environment by reading aloud to your child, celebrating small wins, and avoiding pressure or frustration around reading. Your tutor will guide you on how to practice phonics skills, which words to focus on, and how to respond if your child makes mistakes during home practice.
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