Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Richmond, VA
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Richmond
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 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 methods. The approach teaches letter-sound relationships explicitly and systematically, allowing students to decode words independently and build strong foundational literacy skills.
Students who struggle with phonics, have difficulty sounding out words, or have been identified with dyslexia typically see significant gains with Orton Gillingham instruction. However, the approach also works well for students who learn best through structured, step-by-step instruction or who need explicit teaching of reading mechanics. If a student isn't progressing with classroom reading instruction alone, Orton Gillingham tutoring can provide the targeted, systematic approach they need.
In a classroom setting with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio, teachers often can't provide the individualized pacing and repetition that struggling readers need. Personalized Orton Gillingham instruction allows tutors to move at your student's pace, spend extra time on challenging concepts, and adjust lessons based on their specific learning patterns. This one-on-one approach means your child gets immediate feedback and can build confidence without feeling rushed or left behind.
The first session typically focuses on assessment and relationship-building. A tutor will evaluate your student's current reading level, identify specific challenges with phonics or decoding, and understand their learning style. This information helps the tutor create a customized lesson plan that builds on your child's strengths while addressing their specific needs, ensuring instruction is targeted and effective from day one.
Many students begin showing progress within 4-6 weeks of consistent instruction, though the timeline varies based on the severity of reading difficulties and frequency of sessions. With regular tutoring (typically 1-2 sessions per week), students often demonstrate measurable improvements in phonetic decoding, word recognition, and reading fluency within a few months. Sustained improvement requires consistency, but the structured nature of Orton Gillingham means progress is often visible and quantifiable.
Look for tutors who have specialized training in the Orton Gillingham method, ideally through certification programs or extensive professional development. Experienced tutors understand not just the technique, but how to adapt it for different learning profiles and age groups. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have demonstrated expertise in structured literacy instruction and a track record of helping struggling readers build confidence and skills.
Orton Gillingham can be effective at any grade level, though early intervention (kindergarten through 2nd grade) often prevents reading struggles from compounding. However, older students and even adults benefit significantly from this approach—it's never too late to build strong foundational reading skills. If your student is in elementary, middle, or high school and struggling with reading, Orton Gillingham tutoring can still produce dramatic improvements in decoding and comprehension.
Varsity Tutors connects you with qualified tutors who specialize in Orton Gillingham instruction and understand the needs of Richmond-area students. Simply tell us about your student's reading challenges and goals, and we'll match them with a tutor whose expertise and teaching style align with their learning needs. You can start with a single session to see if the fit is right, with no long-term commitment required.
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