Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Cleveland, OH
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Cleveland
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 especially 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. Many students who haven't responded well to traditional classroom reading instruction see significant progress with this evidence-based method.
Orton Gillingham is highly structured and sequential, moving at a pace tailored to each student's needs—something difficult to achieve in a classroom setting where Cleveland's average student-teacher ratio is 18.8:1. Tutors using this method provide intensive, one-on-one instruction that targets specific gaps in phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency, whereas classroom reading often moves at a group pace. This personalized approach allows tutors to adjust lessons based on how quickly a student masters each skill before moving forward.
Orton Gillingham works best for students in elementary through high school who struggle with reading, though early intervention (grades K-2) often produces the fastest results. The method is particularly effective for students with dyslexia, but it also helps any reader who needs explicit, systematic phonics instruction. Older students can still benefit significantly, especially if they've developed gaps in foundational skills or reading confidence.
The first session typically includes an assessment to identify the student's current reading level, specific strengths, and areas needing support. Tutors will ask about reading history, challenges the student has faced, and goals for improvement. From there, they'll begin introducing foundational Orton Gillingham concepts—often starting with phonemic awareness or basic phonics—and establish a routine the student will follow in future sessions.
Many students notice improved confidence and decoding skills within 4-6 weeks of consistent tutoring, though the timeline varies based on the severity of reading difficulties and frequency of sessions. Significant gains in fluency and comprehension often emerge over 2-3 months with regular practice. The structured, sequential nature of Orton Gillingham means students build momentum as they master each skill level, leading to measurable progress that compounds over time.
Look for tutors who have completed formal Orton Gillingham training and certification through recognized organizations like the International Dyslexia Association. Experienced tutors often have backgrounds in special education, reading intervention, or speech-language pathology. When you connect with Varsity Tutors, we match you with tutors who have the expertise and credentials to deliver effective Orton Gillingham instruction for students in Cleveland.
Consistent practice between tutoring sessions is crucial for reinforcing skills and building automaticity—the ability to recognize sounds and words without conscious effort. Tutors typically assign brief, focused homework that takes 15-20 minutes and builds directly on what was covered in the session. This regular repetition accelerates progress and helps students apply what they're learning to their everyday reading.
Orton Gillingham is a specialized intervention method that complements classroom reading instruction rather than replacing it. It focuses on explicit phonics and decoding skills that form the foundation for reading success, which aligns with science-based reading practices. Tutors can coordinate with classroom teachers to ensure the personalized instruction reinforces school curriculum while addressing the student's specific gaps.
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