Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Boston, MA
Award-Winning
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Boston
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 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.
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!
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Orton Gillingham method is a structured, multisensory approach to reading instruction that teaches phonics systematically through direct instruction. It's particularly effective for students with dyslexia or other reading difficulties because it emphasizes the connection between letters and sounds, breaking reading into manageable, sequential steps.
This method engages multiple senses—students see letters, hear sounds, and physically write them—which strengthens neural pathways for reading. Rather than relying on sight words or guessing from context, students learn the underlying code of language, building confidence and independence as readers.
Classroom instruction in Boston's 32 schools typically follows whole-group pacing and mixed instructional approaches, which may not address the specific needs of struggling readers. Orton Gillingham tutoring provides personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your student's learning profile, moving at their pace rather than a class schedule.
Tutors trained in Orton Gillingham use a diagnostic approach to identify exactly where a student's reading breaks down, then build systematically from that point. This targeted intervention, combined with multisensory techniques and frequent practice with immediate feedback, often produces faster progress than classroom reading groups alone.
Orton Gillingham instruction can begin as early as kindergarten for prevention, but it's most commonly used for students in grades 1-3 who show early signs of reading difficulty, and for older students with dyslexia or significant reading gaps. There's no upper age limit—many middle and high school students benefit from explicit phonics instruction if they've struggled with foundational skills.
The key is identifying reading difficulties early. Students in Boston with early reading gaps benefit most from intervention in grades 1-2, though tutoring at any age can still produce meaningful improvement. A tutor can assess your child's current reading level and determine the best starting point.
Most students show noticeable improvement in phonetic decoding skills within 4-8 weeks of consistent 2-3x weekly sessions, depending on the severity of their reading difficulty and starting level. More significant progress in fluency, comprehension, and reading confidence typically emerges over 3-6 months of regular instruction.
Progress varies based on factors like frequency of sessions, consistency of practice at home, and how long the student has struggled with reading. Students with dyslexia or severe reading delays may need longer-term support, but the structured nature of Orton Gillingham means progress is measurable and often accelerates once foundational skills solidify.
Parents are essential partners in Orton Gillingham success. Tutors typically assign practice activities—often 10-15 minutes daily—that reinforce what's taught in sessions. These activities might include reviewing letter-sound correspondences, practicing decoding with word lists, or reading decodable texts aligned with what the student has learned.
Regular communication between tutor and parent helps reinforce strategies at home and keeps you informed of progress. Many students also benefit from encouragement and celebrating small wins, since children with reading difficulties often develop negative feelings about reading. Your involvement signals to your child that reading is important and achievable.
Look for tutors who have formal training and certification in the Orton Gillingham method. Many tutors complete structured programs through organizations that specialize in this methodology, and they can explain their training background. When connecting with a tutor, ask about their experience with your child's specific age and reading level.
Varsity Tutors can connect you with expert tutors in Boston trained in Orton Gillingham. The matching process considers your student's needs, learning style, and your preferences for instruction, ensuring a good fit. You can discuss qualifications, approach, and expectations before beginning sessions.
Most students benefit from 2-3 sessions per week for meaningful progress, though frequency can be adjusted based on your schedule and budget. Sessions are typically 50-60 minutes. The overall time commitment depends on your child's starting level and goals—some students need 6 months of consistent support, while others benefit from longer-term instruction.
Pricing varies based on tutor experience and location within Boston, but you can discuss rates and session packages directly with tutors. Many families find that the targeted, efficient nature of Orton Gillingham instruction means faster progress than other tutoring approaches, making it a strong investment in your child's reading foundation.
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