Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Memphis, TN
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Memphis
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 the relationship between letters and sounds through a systematic, step-by-step method that engages multiple senses—students see, hear, and physically write letters to strengthen neural pathways for reading and spelling. This approach has strong research backing and helps students build foundational phonics skills that many classroom settings may not address in depth.
While Memphis schools serve nearly 100,000 students with an average student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1, personalized 1-on-1 Orton Gillingham instruction allows tutors to move at your student's pace, target their specific reading gaps, and use multisensory techniques consistently. Classroom teachers often use mixed approaches and must balance many learners' needs, whereas an Orton Gillingham tutor focuses entirely on your student's phonetic foundation and can adjust lessons based on what's working in real time.
Orton Gillingham works best when started early—ideally in elementary school—but it's never too late. Students in grades K-3 benefit from building strong phonetic foundations, while older students (grades 4-12) can use it to address reading gaps and improve spelling and fluency. The approach is also effective for adults. The key is identifying reading struggles early and connecting with a tutor who can assess where your student is and build from there.
While Orton Gillingham was developed specifically to help students with dyslexia, it benefits any struggling reader who needs explicit, structured phonics instruction. Students with general reading delays, weak phonemic awareness, or difficulty with decoding all respond well to this multisensory approach. If your student is falling behind in reading or shows signs of reading difficulty, an Orton Gillingham tutor can assess whether this method is the right fit.
The first session typically includes an assessment of your student's current reading level, phonemic awareness, and specific challenges—such as letter recognition, sound sequencing, or blending. The tutor will explain the Orton Gillingham approach, discuss goals with you, and often begin with foundational multisensory activities. This session helps the tutor create a personalized plan and gives you a clear picture of where your student stands and what progress to expect.
Many students show noticeable gains in phonemic awareness and decoding within 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring, though the timeline depends on the severity of the reading difficulty and how frequently your student meets with their tutor. Significant improvements in fluency and comprehension typically emerge over several months of regular practice. Consistency matters—students who work with a tutor weekly and practice at home see faster, more lasting results than those with sporadic sessions.
Look for tutors who have completed formal Orton Gillingham training and certification from an accredited program, as this ensures they understand the structured methodology and multisensory techniques. Ideally, they should have experience working with students who have reading difficulties or dyslexia, and they should be able to explain their approach clearly and track your student's progress with data. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have the credentials and experience to deliver effective Orton Gillingham instruction.
Home practice is essential—it reinforces what happens in tutoring sessions and builds automaticity with phonetic patterns. Your tutor will typically assign brief, focused activities (15-20 minutes several times a week) that your student can do at home. Consistent practice between sessions accelerates progress and helps students apply their new skills to reading and writing across different contexts, making gains stick long-term.
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