Award-Winning Reading Intervention Tutors
serving Phoenix, AZ
Reading Intervention
Tutors in Phoenix
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.

Candice's path through Fulbright teaching in Taiwan, Wilson Reading instruction, and years as a teaching artist gave her an unusually wide lens on why readers struggle — sometimes it's phonics, sometimes it's language processing, sometimes it's a confidence problem masquerading as a skills problem. Her MFA in Creative Writing from The New School and BA in English from the University of Chicago ground her in the structure of language itself, which she brings to bear when building decoding and comprehension skills from the ground up. Rated 4.7 by families.

Early reading struggles compound fast — a student who can't decode confidently at seven often avoids reading entirely by ten. McKenna spent two years working directly with elementary learners on phonics, fluency, and comprehension, designing repetitive but engaging practice that builds real momentum. Her 5.0 rating speaks to the patience and positivity she brings to every session.
Hello! I'm a reading intervention specialist with over 15 years of experience helping struggling readers build stronger skills and confidence. I use an Orton-Gillinghaminspired, structured literacy that is explicit, systematic, multisensory, and tailored to each learner. Sessions may include phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, fluency, comprehension, and writing based on individual needs. My goal is to strengthen the foundational literacy skills that make reading easier.
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.
Testimonials
Because the right Reading Intervention tutor makes all the difference.
Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
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Frequently Asked Questions
Reading intervention is targeted, intensive instruction designed for students who are struggling with foundational reading skills like phonics, fluency, decoding, or comprehension. Unlike general classroom reading instruction, intervention focuses on closing specific skill gaps through personalized strategies tailored to each student's needs. Tutors assess where a student is falling behind and use evidence-based techniques to build confidence and progress at an accelerated pace.
Students in Phoenix schools may struggle with reading for many reasons—difficulty with phonetic decoding, weak comprehension skills, attention challenges, or simply falling behind due to classroom pace. With Phoenix's average student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, many students benefit from the focused attention that personalized instruction provides. A reading intervention tutor can identify whether a student needs help with foundational skills, fluency, or comprehension strategies.
Your first session typically includes an assessment to understand your student's current reading level, specific challenges, and learning style. From there, tutors create a customized plan using evidence-based strategies like guided reading, phonics instruction, fluency drills, or comprehension techniques—whatever your student needs most. Sessions are interactive and include practice with immediate feedback, helping students build skills and confidence in a supportive environment.
Yes—reading intervention addresses both. Fluency (reading smoothly and at an appropriate pace) and comprehension (understanding what's read) are interconnected skills. Tutors work on decoding accuracy and speed first, then layer in comprehension strategies like predicting, questioning, and summarizing. This dual focus helps students move beyond just sounding out words to actually understanding and retaining what they read.
Results vary based on the severity of the reading gap and how frequently your student receives tutoring. Many students see noticeable improvements in fluency and confidence within 4-6 weeks of consistent, personalized instruction. Significant progress in comprehension and grade-level reading skills often takes longer—typically several months of regular sessions—but consistent tutoring accelerates growth compared to classroom instruction alone.
Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Phoenix who specialize in reading intervention and have experience working with students at various reading levels. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss their background with struggling readers, their approach to assessment and instruction, and how they track progress. This personalized matching ensures your student works with someone experienced in the specific reading challenges they face.
Reading intervention can help students at any age—from early elementary students learning foundational phonics to middle or high school students still struggling with fluency or comprehension. The earlier intervention begins, the better, but it's never too late. Tutors adjust their approach based on age and maturity, using age-appropriate materials and strategies whether working with a 1st grader or a 9th grader.
Parents play a crucial role by practicing strategies the tutor recommends between sessions—whether that's daily reading practice, specific phonics exercises, or comprehension activities. Your tutor will provide guidance on how to support your student without creating frustration. Consistency and encouragement matter most; even 15-20 minutes of practice several times a week reinforces what's being learned in tutoring sessions.
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