Award-Winning Orton Gillingham Tutors
serving Madison, WI
Orton Gillingham
Tutors in Madison
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 the phonetic foundations of language systematically and sequentially. Unlike traditional classroom reading methods that often mix multiple approaches, Orton Gillingham breaks down the sound-symbol relationships of English explicitly, making it particularly effective for students with dyslexia or those who struggle with phonics-based learning. The method engages multiple senses—sight, sound, and touch—to reinforce letter-sound connections and build strong decoding skills from the ground up.
Orton Gillingham is highly effective for students with dyslexia, reading delays, or those who haven't responded well to conventional reading instruction. It's also valuable for students who are strong in other areas but struggle specifically with decoding, spelling, or phonemic awareness. While it works well for younger students building foundational skills, older students and adults can benefit significantly too, often experiencing rapid progress once they understand how English sound patterns work systematically.
The first session typically includes an assessment of your student's current reading level, phonemic awareness, and specific challenges—such as difficulty with certain letter sounds, blending, or sight words. Based on this evaluation, a tutor will explain the Orton Gillingham approach, demonstrate how it works, and establish a personalized learning plan that matches your student's starting point and pace. You'll leave with a clear understanding of where your student is and what to expect from instruction going forward.
Many students see noticeable improvements in phonemic awareness and decoding within 4-8 weeks of consistent instruction, though the timeline varies based on the severity of the reading difficulty and frequency of tutoring. Students working with tutors 2-3 times per week typically progress faster than those meeting less frequently. Sustained improvement in reading fluency and comprehension usually develops over several months as students internalize the systematic patterns and build automaticity with decoding.
In a classroom of 20+ students, teachers must use pacing and methods that work for the average learner—which often doesn't serve struggling readers well. Personalized 1-on-1 Orton Gillingham instruction moves at your student's pace, focuses on their specific gaps, and uses multisensory techniques consistently every session. A tutor can immediately adjust when something isn't clicking, provide intensive practice on problem areas, and celebrate progress in ways that build confidence alongside skills.
Yes. Madison's six school districts serve over 25,000 students across 87 schools, and while classroom reading instruction varies, strong decoding and phonemic awareness skills—the foundation Orton Gillingham builds—are essential for success in any curriculum. Students who work with tutors using this method develop the confidence and skills to keep up with grade-level reading demands, participate more actively in class discussions, and tackle challenging texts independently. Tutors can also align their instruction with what your student is learning in school to reinforce progress.
Varsity Tutors connects families in Madison with tutors who specialize in Orton Gillingham instruction and understand the specific needs of students with reading challenges. When you reach out, you'll be matched with a tutor whose expertise, availability, and teaching style fit your student's needs. You can discuss your student's current reading level, any previous assessments, and your goals so the right tutor is selected from the start.
For students with dyslexia or significant reading struggles, Orton Gillingham is one of the most evidence-based approaches available and often produces results that classroom instruction alone hasn't achieved. The investment in personalized, expert instruction typically pays dividends in improved reading skills, increased academic confidence, and better performance across all subjects that depend on reading. Early intervention is particularly valuable—addressing reading difficulties in elementary years prevents compounding struggles in middle and high school.
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