Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Akron, OH
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Akron
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 letters to sounds through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities, helping students build a strong foundation in decoding and spelling. Many students who struggle with traditional reading methods make significant progress with this approach because it breaks reading into manageable, sequential steps.
Classroom instruction in Akron's 86 schools typically follows a whole-class pace that may not accommodate students who need more time or a different approach to master reading fundamentals. Personalized 1-on-1 Orton Gillingham instruction allows tutors to work at your child's exact level, repeat concepts as needed, and use multisensory techniques that engage different learning pathways. This individualized pacing and targeted methodology can accelerate progress in ways that classroom learning alone often cannot.
Orton Gillingham can be used with students as early as kindergarten for foundational skills, but it's most commonly introduced in elementary grades when reading difficulties become apparent. It's equally effective for older students and adults who need to remediate reading skills or catch up on foundational phonics. The approach is flexible and can be adapted to meet learners at any age or grade level.
While Orton Gillingham was originally developed for students with dyslexia, it benefits any student who struggles with reading, including those with general reading delays, phonological awareness gaps, or difficulty with phonics. The structured, explicit approach works well for English language learners and students who simply learn better with systematic, multisensory instruction. Many students without a dyslexia diagnosis see dramatic improvement in reading fluency and confidence.
Your first session will typically include an assessment of your child's current reading level, phonics knowledge, and specific challenges. The tutor will explain the Orton Gillingham approach, answer your questions, and begin introducing foundational concepts in a way that feels manageable and encouraging. This initial meeting helps establish a baseline and allows you and the tutor to discuss goals and expectations for progress.
Many students show noticeable improvements in phonics skills and reading confidence within 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring, though the timeline varies based on the severity of the reading difficulty and frequency of sessions. More significant gains in reading fluency and comprehension typically emerge over several months of regular practice. Consistency is key—students who work with tutors regularly and practice between sessions tend to progress faster than those with sporadic instruction.
Most students benefit from 1-3 sessions per week, depending on the severity of their reading difficulty and their learning pace. More frequent sessions early on can accelerate progress, while maintenance sessions may be sufficient once foundational skills are solid. Your tutor can recommend a schedule based on your child's needs and goals, and you can adjust frequency as progress is made.
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who specialize in Orton Gillingham and understand how to work with students in the Akron area. When you reach out, you can specify your child's reading level, challenges, and goals, and we'll match you with a tutor whose expertise aligns with your needs. Our tutors have training and experience in structured literacy approaches and can provide the personalized instruction that makes Orton Gillingham effective.
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