Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving St. Louis, MO
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in St. Louis
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
The Orton Gillingham approach is a structured, multisensory method for teaching reading that emphasizes phonics, syllable patterns, and morphology. It's particularly effective for students with dyslexia or those who struggle with traditional reading instruction because it breaks down language into manageable, sequential steps and engages multiple learning pathways—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic—simultaneously.
Students with dyslexia, reading delays, or those who haven't responded well to conventional classroom reading instruction typically see the most significant gains with Orton Gillingham. However, any student who benefits from explicit, systematic phonics instruction—including struggling readers, English language learners, and those with attention challenges—can improve their decoding and fluency skills through this approach.
While St. Louis schools focus on meeting grade-level standards across diverse learner needs, Orton Gillingham tutoring provides personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored to each student's specific reading challenges and pace. Tutors can spend extended time on foundational skills like sound-symbol relationships and syllable division without rushing to keep up with classroom pacing, allowing students to build confidence and automaticity before advancing.
In the initial session, a tutor will assess your student's current reading level, decoding skills, and specific challenges through informal observation and screening. This helps establish a baseline and allows the tutor to create a personalized learning plan that targets your student's needs—whether that's phonemic awareness, letter-sound correspondence, or fluency.
Many students show noticeable gains in decoding accuracy and confidence within 4-6 weeks of consistent tutoring, though the timeline varies based on the severity of reading difficulties and frequency of sessions. Significant improvements in fluency and comprehension typically emerge over several months of regular, structured practice.
Most students benefit from 2-3 sessions per week to build momentum and reinforce skills consistently. The ideal frequency depends on your student's specific needs, age, and reading level—a tutor can recommend a schedule that balances intensive skill-building with time for practice and application in school and at home.
Look for tutors with formal training in the Orton Gillingham method—ideally certified or pursuing certification through recognized organizations like the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE). Experience working with students who have dyslexia or reading disabilities, combined with knowledge of phonology and linguistics, ensures your student receives evidence-based instruction.
Consistent practice between tutoring sessions is essential for reinforcing skills and building automaticity. Tutors typically provide specific activities and assignments that take 15-20 minutes daily, allowing your student to apply what they've learned and accelerate progress. Regular communication between tutor and parent helps ensure practice is targeted and productive.
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