Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving El Paso, TX
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in El Paso
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 students to decode words systematically by understanding the relationship between sounds and letters. Unlike traditional classroom reading methods that often rely on sight words and context clues, Orton Gillingham breaks reading into explicit, sequential steps—making it particularly effective for students with dyslexia or other reading difficulties. The method engages multiple senses (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic) to reinforce learning and create stronger neural pathways for reading skills.
Orton Gillingham is most beneficial for students who struggle with phonics, have been diagnosed with dyslexia, or aren't responding to traditional reading instruction. It's also effective for students with auditory processing issues, sequencing difficulties, or those who need a more structured, step-by-step approach to building reading confidence. Students of any age—from early elementary through high school—can benefit, though earlier intervention typically leads to faster progress and prevents years of reading frustration.
In a classroom with a 15:1 student-teacher ratio like many El Paso schools, teachers can't customize the pace and intensity of Orton Gillingham instruction to each student's needs. Personalized 1-on-1 tutoring allows tutors to move at your student's speed, repeat lessons as needed, identify specific gaps, and adjust multi-sensory techniques to match learning preferences. This targeted approach means students make measurable progress faster and build genuine reading confidence rather than falling further behind their peers.
During the first session, a tutor will assess your student's current reading level, identify specific challenges (like letter-sound confusion or blending difficulties), and understand their learning style and strengths. This diagnostic foundation helps the tutor create a customized lesson plan aligned with Orton Gillingham principles. You'll also discuss goals, frequency of sessions, and what to expect as your student progresses through the structured curriculum.
Many students begin showing measurable progress within 4-6 weeks of consistent, personalized Orton Gillingham instruction—particularly in phonemic awareness and decoding skills. Significant improvements in fluency and comprehension typically emerge over 3-6 months, depending on the severity of initial challenges and session frequency. Consistent practice between sessions accelerates progress, so tutors often recommend 2-3 sessions weekly for students with dyslexia or significant reading delays.
Yes, Orton Gillingham complements classroom instruction rather than conflicting with it. The method's systematic, sequential approach to phonics and decoding strengthens foundational skills that support whatever reading program the school uses. Tutors can also coordinate with classroom teachers to ensure tutoring reinforces grade-level expectations and helps students apply Orton Gillingham strategies to school assignments and assessments.
Expert tutors for Orton Gillingham should have specialized training in the method itself, often through certification programs, plus experience working with students who have reading difficulties or dyslexia. Look for tutors with a background in literacy, special education, or speech-language pathology. Varsity Tutors connects you with qualified tutors who understand both the Orton Gillingham approach and how to adapt it for individual learners in El Paso.
Investing in personalized Orton Gillingham tutoring early prevents years of reading struggle, frustration, and academic gaps that compound over time. Students who receive targeted reading intervention build not just decoding skills but also confidence and a genuine love of reading. For students in El Paso, connecting with an expert tutor means addressing reading challenges before they impact performance in other subjects and standardized assessments.
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