Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Allentown, PA
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Allentown
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 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.
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.
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 emphasizes phonics and the alphabetic principle. Unlike whole-language or balanced literacy methods, it teaches students to decode words systematically by understanding letter-sound relationships and syllable patterns. This method is particularly effective for students with dyslexia or those who struggle with traditional classroom reading approaches.
Students benefit from Orton Gillingham tutoring if they struggle with phonemic awareness, have difficulty decoding unfamiliar words, reverse letters or numbers, or show signs of dyslexia. Common signs include slow reading progress despite classroom instruction, difficulty sounding out words, or avoiding reading altogether. A personalized assessment with an expert tutor can identify whether this structured approach is right for your child.
Orton Gillingham is a complementary approach that strengthens foundational reading skills regardless of your child's school curriculum. While Allentown's 44 schools across 8 districts may use different reading programs, the systematic phonics and multisensory techniques in Orton Gillingham provide a solid foundation that supports success in any classroom. Tutors can coordinate with your child's school to ensure the tutoring reinforces and accelerates their progress.
Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to tailor the pace, materials, and multisensory techniques to your child's specific learning style and needs. While Allentown's average student-teacher ratio is 14.7:1, individual tutoring provides focused attention on decoding skills, letter formation, and reading fluency without the distractions of a classroom. This targeted approach typically accelerates progress and builds confidence faster than group instruction alone.
Most students show noticeable progress in phonemic awareness and decoding within 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring, though the timeline depends on the severity of reading difficulties and frequency of sessions. Significant improvements in reading fluency and comprehension typically emerge within 3-6 months of regular personalized instruction. Consistency is key—students who attend sessions weekly and practice between appointments see the fastest gains.
Expert Orton Gillingham tutors should have formal training and certification in the method, plus experience working with students who have dyslexia or reading difficulties. Look for tutors who understand phonological processing, can assess reading levels accurately, and know how to adapt the approach for different ages and abilities. Varsity Tutors connects you with qualified tutors who have the expertise to deliver structured, evidence-based reading instruction.
Orton Gillingham is effective for students from early elementary through high school, and even adults. The method works best when started early—typically in grades K-3—but older students and adults with reading difficulties still make significant progress. Tutors adapt the curriculum and materials to match developmental levels, so a high school student receives different content and pacing than a second grader, though the core structured approach remains the same.
The first session typically includes an assessment of your child's current reading level, phonemic awareness, decoding skills, and learning style. The tutor will gather information about any previous reading instruction, challenges your child has faced, and goals for improvement. This foundation helps the tutor design a personalized Orton Gillingham plan and establish a baseline to measure progress over time.
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