Award-Winning Special Education Tutors
serving Grand Rapids, MI

Rachel holds a B.S. in Special Education, which means she doesn't just know the content — she knows how to adapt it. Whether a student needs modified pacing for reading comprehension, visual supports for math concepts, or alternative assessment strategies, she designs sessions around how each learner actually processes information. Her background spans both general and special education classrooms, so she's comfortable navigating IEP goals alongside grade-level standards.

I am currently working toward a Master of Arts in Education in Teaching English as a Second Language at Aquinas College. I consider myself a life-long learner and am excited to get started with Varsity Tutors. I am open to tutoring a wide range of subjects and levels as each brings a unique set of challenges and rewards. In my free time, I am an avid reader of both fiction and nonfiction texts and enjoy kayaking with my son and spending time outdoor with our dogs.

Sheyna holds a master's degree in Special Education and carries certifications in both Special Education (New York) and School Counseling (Michigan), giving her deep familiarity with IEP goals, accommodations, and the strategies that actually move the needle for diverse learners. She adapts lessons around each student's processing style — whether that means breaking multi-step directions into visual chunks, building in movement breaks, or restructuring how new material is introduced.

Every learner processes information differently, and Allie adapts her explanations accordingly — rephrasing a grammar concept as a visual pattern, turning a reading passage into a conversation, or slowing down a multi-step problem into smaller, more manageable pieces. Her patience and creativity as a writing-trained tutor make her effective at building confidence alongside academic skills.

Loretta holds a degree in Special Education alongside her math and secondary education credentials, which means she understands IEP goals, learning accommodations, and differentiated instruction from the inside out. She breaks concepts into manageable steps and adapts her pacing to each student's processing style — whether that means using visual models for abstract ideas or building in structured repetition. Her background practicing law also sharpens her ability to advocate for students navigating the special education system.

Charles holds a Master's in Counseling Psychology, which means he understands how different learners process information — not just in theory, but in practice. He adapts pacing, materials, and instruction style to match each student's needs, whether that means breaking a reading passage into smaller chunks or reteaching a math concept through a completely different method.

A PhD in neuroscience means Elliot understands learning differences at the biological level — how attention, working memory, and processing speed vary across brains and what that means for instruction. He explicitly welcomes learners on the spectrum and tailors pacing, scaffolding, and sensory considerations to each student rather than defaulting to one-size-fits-all methods. His 5.0 rating speaks to that individualized care.

James holds a Master's in Education and brings deep experience adapting lessons for students with diverse learning needs, whether that means restructuring a math problem into smaller visual steps or reframing a reading assignment to reduce cognitive overload. He identifies where a student feels confident and builds outward from that anchor point. His 5.0 rating speaks to the trust and patience he brings to every session.

Kim's approach starts with identifying the specific barrier a student faces — whether it's processing speed, attention, or difficulty transferring skills across contexts — and then adapting instruction around it. Her background spanning anthropology and business gives her an unusually flexible toolkit for reframing concepts in ways that click for different learners. She holds a 5.0 rating across her students.

Every learner processes information differently, and Kate's years in the classroom have sharpened her ability to adapt explanations on the fly — whether that means using visual organizers for a student with ADHD or scaffolding a reading passage into smaller chunks for someone with a processing difference. She builds lessons around each student's strengths rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Rather than pushing through a one-size-fits-all lesson plan, Evan adapts pacing, materials, and communication style to match how each learner processes information. His experience across subjects from reading comprehension to math means he can identify where a gap starts and build understanding from that exact point.

Max's psychology degree and his experience tutoring students from varied backgrounds in West Philadelphia gave him practical insight into how different learners process information. He adapts pacing, breaks concepts into smaller steps, and uses multisensory techniques to make material accessible across subjects. His patience and structured approach — reflected in a 5.0 client rating — make him especially effective with students who need individualized support.

Clinical psychology training fundamentally changes how you understand a struggling learner — Danny's PhD work gives him insight into the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions that shape how students with learning differences engage with academic material. He draws on formal counseling psychology methods to identify what's actually getting in the way, then adapts instruction accordingly, whether the barrier is processing speed, attention, anxiety around schoolwork, or something else entirely. Rated 5.0 by families.

I am able to create quality, yet comprehensive curriculum for my students that will thrust them to succeed. I am very detailed oriented, creative, and have a passion for ensuring student success. It is my endeavor to combine my range of experience with my wealth of education. This includes being a loving, motivating, supporting, fun, and integral educator who will make a positive contribution to each student. I want to help all students build confidence, which will enhance their self esteem as well as personal values. Reaching this objective will directly reflect in the progression of their academic success.

Alison spent six years teaching diverse learners in Brooklyn public schools, including students with IEPs and varied learning profiles, so she knows how to adapt pacing, instructions, and materials on the fly. She pairs that classroom experience with formal mindfulness training, which gives her concrete strategies for students dealing with attention challenges, test anxiety, or sensory overwhelm. The goal is always building independence — not just getting through tonight's homework.

Mati brings both professional and personal insight to special education — her doctoral work centered on learning disabilities, and as a mother of two children with dyslexia, she's navigated IEP meetings, accommodation plans, and reading interventions from every side of the table. She teaches strategies for decoding, multisensory learning, and self-advocacy that address the specific barriers a student faces. Rated 5.0 by students.