Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Charleston, SC
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Charleston
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 teaches phonics systematically and explicitly. It's particularly effective for students with dyslexia or other reading difficulties because it engages multiple senses (sight, sound, touch) and breaks reading into manageable, sequential steps. Students learn letter-sound relationships, blending, and decoding in a logical progression, which builds confidence and fluency over time.
Orton Gillingham is highly individualized and moves at your child's pace, whereas classroom instruction in Charleston's 56 schools must serve students with varying needs and learning styles. With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, a tutor can diagnose specific reading gaps, adjust lessons based on what's working, and provide immediate feedback—something difficult in a classroom with an average student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1. This targeted approach often leads to faster progress for students who struggle with traditional reading methods.
Orton Gillingham can begin as early as kindergarten or first grade, though it's most commonly introduced when reading difficulties become apparent—typically in grades 2-4. There's no upper age limit; older students and adults benefit from this approach too, especially if they've struggled with reading for years. A tutor can assess your child's readiness and current skills to determine the best starting point.
Many students show noticeable progress within 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring, such as improved letter recognition, better blending skills, or increased confidence. Significant reading gains—like moving from struggling to grade-level fluency—typically take several months of regular sessions. The timeline depends on the severity of the reading difficulty, how frequently your child receives tutoring, and how much practice happens at home.
Look for tutors who have completed formal Orton Gillingham training and certification through an accredited organization. They should understand the science of reading, be able to diagnose specific phonetic gaps, and know how to adapt lessons for different learning styles. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Charleston who have the specialized training and experience to teach this evidence-based method effectively.
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 decoding. The structured, explicit approach works well for students who haven't responded to typical classroom reading instruction. If your child is behind in reading for any reason, Orton Gillingham tutoring can help.
The first session typically includes an assessment to understand your child's current reading level, strengths, and specific challenges—such as phonemic awareness, decoding, or fluency. The tutor will ask about your child's reading history and any previous interventions. This information helps create a personalized plan that targets the exact skills your child needs to improve.
Home practice is essential for reinforcing what's learned in tutoring sessions and accelerating progress. Even 15-20 minutes of daily practice with flashcards, decodable readers, or activities suggested by the tutor makes a significant difference. Your tutor will provide specific, manageable assignments and guidance so you can support your child's learning between sessions.
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