Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Houston, TX
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Houston
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.
Testimonials
Because the right Orton Gillingham tutor makes all the difference.
Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
Nearby Orton Gillingham Tutors
Other Houston Tutors
Frequently Asked Questions
The Orton Gillingham approach is a structured, multisensory method for teaching reading that emphasizes phonics and the alphabetic principle. It's particularly effective for students with dyslexia or those who struggle with traditional reading instruction because it breaks language into its smallest components and teaches them systematically. The method engages multiple senses—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic—to help students build strong foundational reading skills.
Students with dyslexia, reading delays, or those who haven't responded well to classroom reading instruction benefit significantly from Orton Gillingham tutoring. It's also effective for students who need explicit, step-by-step phonics instruction or who learn better with multisensory techniques. Given Houston's 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio across the district, many students benefit from personalized 1-on-1 instruction that allows tutors to move at their pace and address individual learning needs.
Personalized Orton Gillingham tutoring allows tutors to tailor instruction to a student's specific needs, pace, and learning style in ways that aren't always possible in a classroom setting. Tutors can spend extra time on foundational skills, adjust the sequence of lessons based on student progress, and use diagnostic assessments to identify exactly where a student is struggling. This individualized approach means students get targeted practice on their specific challenges rather than moving through a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
The first session typically focuses on assessment and building rapport. A tutor will evaluate your student's current reading level, identify specific challenges, and discuss learning history to understand what hasn't worked in the past. This information helps the tutor create a personalized plan aligned with Orton Gillingham principles and your student's goals—whether that's catching up to grade level or addressing dyslexia-related challenges.
Most students begin to show measurable progress within 4-8 weeks of consistent, personalized instruction, though the timeline depends on the severity of the reading difficulty and how frequently tutoring occurs. Students with significant reading delays may need several months of regular sessions to build foundational skills and see substantial improvement in fluency and comprehension. Consistent practice between sessions—including homework assigned by the tutor—accelerates progress.
Look for tutors who have formal training in the Orton Gillingham approach and ideally hold certification from an accredited organization like the Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE). Experienced tutors should understand phonology, morphology, and the structure of English language, plus have a track record helping students with dyslexia or reading delays. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have the expertise and credentials to deliver effective, evidence-based instruction.
Yes, Orton Gillingham is effective across grade levels because it's based on how students learn to decode language, not age. A 3rd grader with dyslexia and a 7th grader with reading delays can both benefit from the same systematic, phonics-based approach—tutors simply adjust the pace, complexity, and content to match grade-level expectations. For Houston students, this means personalized instruction that addresses foundational gaps while keeping students engaged with age-appropriate materials.
Tutors track progress through regular assessments of phonemic awareness, decoding accuracy, fluency, and comprehension. You'll see concrete improvements like increased reading speed, fewer decoding errors, and better ability to tackle unfamiliar words independently. Most tutors provide progress reports and share specific benchmarks so you can see how your student is advancing toward grade-level reading standards and personal learning goals.
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.