Award-Winning Certified Reading Intervention Tutors
serving Detroit, MI
Certified Reading Intervention
Tutors in Detroit
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.
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Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
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Frequently Asked Questions
Certified Reading Intervention is a specialized approach to reading instruction designed for students who struggle with foundational reading skills like phonics, fluency, and comprehension. Unlike general tutoring, it uses evidence-based diagnostic assessments to identify specific reading gaps and targets those areas with structured, systematic instruction. Tutors trained in reading intervention use targeted strategies to help students build confidence and competence in reading.
With an average student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1 across Detroit's 54 school districts, many students don't receive the individualized attention needed to address reading challenges early. Certified Reading Intervention provides personalized 1-on-1 instruction focused specifically on your student's reading needs, helping them catch up to grade level and build the strong foundation necessary for success in all other subjects.
Reading intervention can be effective at any grade level, from early elementary through high school, though it's most impactful when started earlier. If your student is struggling with decoding, fluency, or comprehension—whether they're in 2nd grade or 10th grade—Varsity Tutors can connect you with a tutor trained in intervention strategies appropriate for their level and needs.
In the first session, your tutor will assess your student's current reading level, identify specific challenges (like phonemic awareness, decoding, or comprehension), and discuss learning history and goals. This diagnostic information helps the tutor create a personalized instruction plan tailored to your student's strengths and needs, ensuring every session builds toward meaningful progress.
Yes. Certified Reading Intervention addresses the full range of reading skills—from phonics and decoding to fluency and comprehension. Many struggling readers need support in multiple areas, and tutors trained in intervention use scaffolded strategies to build each skill systematically, helping students not just read faster, but understand what they're reading.
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors trained and experienced in reading intervention strategies. When you reach out, share details about your student's reading challenges and grade level, and we'll match you with a tutor whose expertise aligns with your student's specific needs. You can start with personalized 1-on-1 instruction right away.
Progress varies based on the severity of reading challenges and consistency of instruction, but many students show noticeable improvements in fluency and confidence within 4-8 weeks of regular tutoring. More significant gains in comprehension and grade-level reading skills often emerge over a longer period as foundational skills strengthen and compound.
Absolutely. In fact, personalized 1-on-1 intervention tutoring complements classroom instruction by targeting your student's specific gaps and providing the intensive, focused practice they need to keep up with grade-level expectations. Your tutor can coordinate with your student's teacher to reinforce school-based reading strategies and ensure consistent progress.
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