Award-Winning Reading Intervention Tutors
serving Tucson, AZ
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.
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, personalized instruction designed to help students who are behind grade level in reading skills. It focuses on foundational areas like phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary through evidence-based strategies. For students in Tucson, personalized 1-on-1 reading intervention can accelerate progress by addressing specific gaps and building confidence in a supportive environment.
Reading intervention can benefit students at any age, but early intervention—typically in elementary grades—is most effective for building strong foundational skills. However, middle and high school students also benefit significantly from targeted instruction to improve comprehension, analytical reading, and academic vocabulary. The key is identifying specific challenges early and addressing them with personalized strategies tailored to each student's needs.
Common challenges include decoding difficulties, slow reading fluency, weak comprehension of grade-level texts, limited vocabulary, trouble with phonemic awareness, and struggles with complex sentence structures. Reading intervention also helps students who avoid reading due to frustration or anxiety. Personalized tutoring identifies which specific skills need strengthening and uses targeted strategies to build both ability and confidence.
The first session focuses on assessment and relationship-building. A tutor will evaluate your student's current reading level, identify specific strengths and challenges, and understand their learning style and interests. This information guides the development of a personalized plan that targets the areas most important for your student's success and growth.
Varsity Tutors connects students with expert tutors who have deep knowledge of reading instruction, literacy development, and evidence-based intervention strategies. Tutors bring specialized training in areas like phonics instruction, fluency building, comprehension strategies, and working with students who have learning differences. Each tutor is matched based on your student's specific needs and learning profile.
Progress timelines vary depending on the severity of reading challenges and consistency of instruction, but many students show noticeable improvements in fluency and confidence within 4-6 weeks of regular sessions. Measurable gains in comprehension and grade-level performance typically follow as foundational skills strengthen. Consistent, personalized instruction combined with practice between sessions accelerates progress significantly.
Most students benefit from 2-3 sessions per week for meaningful progress, though frequency depends on the severity of reading gaps and your student's schedule. More intensive support early on can help students catch up faster, while maintenance sessions may be appropriate once core skills are stronger. Your tutor will recommend a frequency that matches your student's needs and goals.
Getting started is simple—tell us about your student's reading challenges, grade level, and goals, and we'll connect you with a tutor who specializes in reading intervention and understands your student's specific needs. You can begin with an initial session to see if the match is right, and we'll support you in finding the perfect fit. Varsity Tutors makes it easy to access expert reading support without the hassle of searching on your own.
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