Award-Winning Certified Reading Intervention Tutors
serving McAllen, TX
Certified Reading Intervention
Tutors in McAllen
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.
Two years of teaching elementary students who struggled with literacy gave McKenna firsthand experience identifying where decoding, fluency, or comprehension breaks down. She builds targeted exercises around phonemic awareness and sight-word recognition for younger readers, while older students get scaffolded strategies for tackling longer texts. Her certified reading intervention approach is patient and structured, meeting each learner's specific gaps.
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.
Testimonials
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Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
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Frequently Asked Questions
Certified Reading Intervention (CRI) is a specialized, evidence-based program designed to help students who struggle with reading fluency, decoding, and comprehension. It uses structured, systematic instruction to target specific reading deficits and build foundational skills. For students in McAllen, personalized 1-on-1 instruction through CRI can accelerate reading progress and boost confidence in a way that classroom instruction alone often cannot.
Students who struggle with phonemic awareness, decoding, sight words, reading fluency, or comprehension are ideal candidates for CRI tutoring. This includes students with dyslexia, reading delays, or those who simply haven't developed strong foundational reading skills. If your child is falling behind grade-level reading expectations or shows frustration with reading tasks, personalized intervention can make a significant difference.
The first session focuses on assessment and building rapport. A tutor will evaluate your student's current reading level, identify specific areas of struggle (like phonics or fluency), and discuss learning goals with you and your student. This information guides the creation of a personalized CRI plan tailored to your student's needs and pace.
Many students show noticeable progress in fluency and confidence within 4-8 weeks of consistent, personalized instruction. Deeper gains in comprehension and independent reading skills typically develop over several months. Progress depends on the severity of the reading gap, frequency of sessions, and student engagement—but structured CRI tutoring accelerates growth significantly compared to classroom instruction alone.
Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have specialized training in reading intervention, phonics, and literacy instruction. Many have formal CRI certification, teaching credentials, or extensive experience working with struggling readers. When you connect with a tutor, you'll learn about their specific background and approach to ensure the best fit for your student.
In a classroom of 20+ students (McAllen's average student-teacher ratio is 14.6:1), teachers cannot provide the individualized assessment and targeted practice each struggling reader needs. Personalized CRI tutoring focuses exclusively on your student's specific reading gaps, uses intensive, systematic instruction, and adjusts pace and strategies in real time. This one-on-one approach is proven to close reading gaps much faster than whole-class instruction.
CRI tutoring uses evidence-based materials focused on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Sessions typically include structured reading activities, decodable texts, oral reading practice, and comprehension exercises tailored to your student's level. Tutors also teach strategies for independent reading and often provide take-home activities to reinforce skills between sessions.
Most students benefit from 2-3 sessions per week for meaningful progress, though frequency can be adjusted based on your student's needs and your schedule. More frequent, consistent sessions typically lead to faster skill development and better retention. Your tutor can recommend an ideal frequency during the first session and adjust as your student progresses.
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