Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Brooklyn, NY
Award-Winning
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Brooklyn
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'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 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 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 graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received my Masters in Mild to Moderate Disabilities from Simmons College. I have worked extensively with students with a range of abilities, including students with specific learning disabilities, emotional impairments, dyslexia, and ADHD. My teaching experience has given me a deep understanding of the knowledge and habits essential to academic success and has given me the opportunity to hone a variety of strategies that ensure students at each level can achieve their academic goals. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, my favorite ones are Reading, Elementary/Middle School Math, History, and Test Prep. In my experience, tutoring is the most rewarding when a student has that "aha!" moment and achieves a new level of understanding and confidence in his/her abilities. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of education, and I see my role to be that of a facilitator and coach who is there to help the student reach his/her goals through individualized support and rigorous practice. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, practicing my Spanish, and discovering new music. I am also an avid traveler and just got back from a 3 month trip to South America. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!
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.
Testimonials
Because the right Orton Gillingham tutor makes all the difference.
Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
Nearby Orton Gillingham Tutors
Other Brooklyn Tutors
Related Learning Differences Tutors in Brooklyn
Frequently Asked Questions
Orton Gillingham is a structured, multisensory approach to reading instruction designed specifically for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. The method teaches phonics systematically by connecting sounds to letter symbols through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic pathways simultaneously—helping students build strong decoding skills from the ground up.
Unlike classroom instruction that moves quickly through a standard curriculum, Orton Gillingham tutoring moves at each student's pace, allowing time for mastery before advancing. For students in Brooklyn struggling with phonemic awareness, decoding, or spelling, this targeted approach can lead to measurable progress in reading fluency and confidence.
While Brooklyn's schools serve over 291,000 students with an average student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, classroom reading instruction typically follows a one-size-fits-all pace. Orton Gillingham tutoring offers personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored entirely to your child's learning style, pace, and specific reading challenges.
Tutors can adapt the curriculum lesson-by-lesson, spend extra time on concepts that need reinforcement, and adjust teaching methods based on what works best for your student. This customization is especially valuable for students with dyslexia or significant reading gaps that classroom instruction alone hasn't closed.
Orton Gillingham can be introduced as early as kindergarten for students showing early signs of reading difficulty, and it remains effective at any grade level. The method works for struggling elementary readers, middle schoolers with undiagnosed dyslexia, and even high school students catching up on foundational skills they missed.
There's no upper age limit—the goal is identifying gaps and building strong phonetic foundations, whether a student is 6 or 16. A tutor experienced in Orton Gillingham can assess your child's current level and determine the best starting point.
Progress timelines vary depending on the student's starting point and frequency of tutoring, but many students show noticeable improvements in phonemic awareness and decoding within 4-8 weeks of consistent, focused instruction. More significant gains in reading fluency and confidence typically emerge over 3-6 months.
Consistency matters: students who meet with a tutor regularly and practice between sessions see faster results than those with sporadic sessions. The personalized nature of the work means you're building skills in areas where your child has the most difficulty, making progress both measurable and meaningful.
No—while Orton Gillingham was developed specifically for dyslexia, it benefits any student struggling with phonics, decoding, or spelling. Many students in Brooklyn have reading difficulties without a formal diagnosis, and the structured, multisensory approach helps them build the foundational skills they're missing.
If you suspect dyslexia, a formal evaluation from a specialist is valuable for understanding your child's needs and accessing school support. However, personalized Orton Gillingham tutoring can begin immediately while you pursue testing, giving your student the targeted help they need now.
Qualified Orton Gillingham tutors complete formal, accredited training programs—often 100+ hours of coursework plus supervised practicum experience. Look for tutors who are certified or have completed recognized Orton Gillingham training programs through organizations like the International Dyslexia Association.
When connecting with tutors for students in Brooklyn, ask about their specific training, years of experience with the method, and their approach to assessment and progress tracking. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors experienced in structured literacy instruction who can explain their qualifications and how they'll customize the approach for your child.
Yes—in fact, tutoring often complements classroom instruction most effectively. Tutors can reinforce what's happening in school while also filling foundational gaps that classroom instruction may not address. Communication between tutors and teachers helps ensure your student gets consistent, aligned support across both settings.
Some schools in Brooklyn's 103 school districts are familiar with Orton Gillingham and may welcome the alignment; others may use different approaches. A skilled tutor can work within whatever framework your child's school uses while building the strong phonetic foundation that supports all reading success.
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.