Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Columbus, OH
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Columbus
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 method is a structured, multisensory approach to reading instruction that teaches students how letters and sounds work together systematically. It's particularly effective for students with dyslexia or those who haven't responded well to traditional reading instruction, as it breaks reading into explicit, sequential steps and engages multiple senses—sight, sound, and touch—to strengthen neural pathways for decoding and spelling.
While Columbus's 156 schools provide valuable instruction, classroom settings with an average student-teacher ratio of 19.7:1 make it difficult for teachers to tailor reading instruction to individual learning differences. Orton Gillingham tutoring provides personalized 1-on-1 instruction that moves at your child's pace, diagnoses specific decoding or encoding gaps, and uses targeted, multisensory techniques designed for students who need a more structured approach to reading.
Orton Gillingham can help students from early elementary through high school, and even adults. The method is most effective when started as soon as reading difficulties are identified—typically in grades 1-3—but older students and adults can still make significant progress with consistent instruction. The key is addressing the underlying decoding issues rather than waiting, as gaps tend to widen over time.
Students typically see measurable progress in decoding accuracy, reading fluency, and spelling within 3-6 months of consistent instruction. Many students report increased confidence and willingness to read, reduced frustration, and improved comprehension as their decoding skills strengthen. The timeline depends on the severity of the reading difficulty and frequency of sessions, but the structured, systematic approach is designed to produce lasting skill development.
The first session typically includes an assessment to understand your child's current reading level, specific strengths and challenges, and learning style. The tutor will ask about reading history, previous instruction, and any known learning differences. From this foundation, the tutor creates a personalized plan and begins introducing the core Orton Gillingham sequence—usually starting with foundational phonemic awareness and letter-sound relationships.
Most students benefit from 2-3 sessions per week for consistent progress, though frequency can vary based on the severity of reading difficulties and your schedule. Regular, frequent instruction is important because the Orton Gillingham method builds skills sequentially—missing sessions can slow momentum. Your tutor can recommend the ideal frequency after the initial assessment and adjust as your child progresses.
Orton Gillingham focuses on foundational decoding and encoding skills that support all reading instruction, so it complements classroom learning regardless of the school's curriculum. Your tutor can coordinate with classroom teachers to understand what's being taught and ensure tutoring reinforces those concepts while filling in foundational gaps. This personalized alignment helps students apply what they learn in tutoring directly to their classroom reading.
Look for tutors with formal Orton Gillingham certification or training from an accredited program, as well as experience working with students who have dyslexia or reading difficulties. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have the specialized training and background to deliver structured, evidence-based reading instruction. When you reach out, you can discuss a tutor's specific credentials and experience with students similar to yours.
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