Award-Winning Certified Reading Intervention Tutors
serving Tucson, AZ
Certified Reading Intervention
Tutors in Tucson
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.

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 Certified Reading Intervention tutor makes all the difference.
Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
Nearby Certified Reading Intervention Tutors
Other Tucson Tutors
Frequently Asked Questions
Certified Reading Intervention is a specialized, evidence-based approach designed to help students who struggle with foundational reading skills like phonics, fluency, and comprehension. Unlike general reading support, it uses structured, diagnostic assessments to identify specific gaps and targets those areas with intensive, systematic instruction. For students in Tucson, this targeted approach can be particularly effective for catching reading difficulties early and building strong literacy foundations.
Students across Tucson's 427 schools experience a range of reading difficulties, from decoding and phonemic awareness issues to comprehension and fluency gaps. Many students struggle with connecting sounds to letters, reading at grade level, or understanding complex texts. Certified Reading Intervention addresses these specific challenges through personalized assessment and targeted instruction tailored to each student's needs.
During an initial session, a tutor will typically assess your student's current reading level, identify specific areas of difficulty, and understand their learning style and goals. This diagnostic approach helps create a personalized intervention plan rather than using a one-size-fits-all method. You'll get clear feedback about where your student stands and what the tutoring process will focus on moving forward.
Reading progress depends on the severity of the difficulty and consistency of practice, but many students show noticeable improvement in fluency and comprehension within 8-12 weeks of regular, focused instruction. The key is consistent sessions combined with reinforcement at home. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can help establish realistic timelines based on your student's specific needs and starting point.
Look for tutors with training in evidence-based reading interventions, knowledge of the science of reading (phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension), and ideally certification or credentials in reading intervention programs. They should also have experience diagnosing reading difficulties and adapting instruction based on student response. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have the specialized knowledge needed to address reading challenges effectively.
Certified Reading Intervention typically builds skills in sequence—starting with foundational phonics and decoding, then moving to fluency (reading smoothly and accurately), and finally to comprehension strategies. These skills are interconnected; students who struggle to decode words often can't focus on meaning. A tutor will work on whichever foundational areas need strengthening first, then layer in comprehension strategies once decoding becomes more automatic.
Home practice is crucial—research shows that consistent, targeted practice between sessions significantly accelerates progress. A tutor will typically assign specific activities, decodable texts, or fluency practice tailored to your student's intervention plan. Even 15-20 minutes of focused practice several times a week can reinforce what's being learned in tutoring sessions and help build automaticity in reading skills.
Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in reading intervention and understand the specific needs of students in Tucson. Simply share your student's reading challenges and goals, and you'll be matched with a tutor whose expertise and teaching style align with your needs. The process is straightforward, and you can start personalized instruction quickly.
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.