Award-Winning 1st Grade
Tutors
Award-Winning
1st Grade
Tutors
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.

I am extremely passionate about academics and learning; the value of each was inculcated into me at a very young age. I tutor a variety of subjects largely because I have so many areas of interests and have been privileged enough to pursue knowledge in those areas. I even enjoy tucking away "useless facts"...in fact, those very tidbits got me past the Jeopardy! Online Test and into the Contestant Audition!

I am an Illinois certified Teacher in grades K-9. I attended Northwestern University and received a Master's of Science in Education. I have ample classroom experience and expertise in elementary Math and Reading intervention. I have several tools and resources from various curricula to work with and would love to help your students in any elementary or middle school subject area. For the past three years, I have been working as a classroom Teacher in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade classrooms, teaching students with a variety of needs. I can also tutor students through high school and college in History and Spanish as I hold degrees in both subjects from Columbia University. I am highly qualified to tutor Writing at all levels - from elementary to adult professional writing - as I have written two distinguished theses as part of my academic training.
I am a rising sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in International Relations and minoring in French and English. The studies of English and Literature have been my passion for a long time. I enjoy reading about cultures while familiarizing myself with the world’s diverse peoples. In my first year of University, I took three English courses and an intensive Writing Seminar which helped me develop my ability of analyzing, interpreting and explaining complex English texts while improving my written and oral communication skills.
I'm extremely motivated to help you succeed
I am a graduate of Brown University, where I earned my B.A. in Literary Arts and Visual Arts, taking courses in a wide array of subjects ranging from contemporary American fiction to ancient Indian classics. My first teaching experience came in college when I had the privilege of creating and teaching a series of literature courses at a local community center. There are few experiences I find more enriching than facilitating a meaningful dialogue centered around great works of literature and art. While literature and art are my passion, I also tutor in variety of other subjects, including math, science, and test preparation. I currently work as a lead teacher in the after-school program at Archway Classical Academy in Phoenix.
I'm a big Boston Celtics fan and I speak three languages. I can get you the test results you need to succeed because I went through the exams myself and performed well. The first time I took the SAT I actually wasn't satisfied with my score, so I spent 2 months working hard to get my score to where I wanted it to be. The second time I took the exam I saw a 200-point increase. Previously, I have had experience teaching the SSAT and the SAT. The student I tutored in SSAT successfully passed the exam is now attending a private high school abroad. With VarsityTutor's online learning platform, I will be able to transfer knowledge in a visual, easy-to-understand manner. I look forward to being your tutor and helping you reach your academic goals. :)
I am a rising college sophomore who will be attending Duke University on a full merit scholarship in the fall. I love to run cross country and play the viola, as well as tutoring students in a whole variety of subjects! Feel free to message me!
I'm an actor, writer and musician living in New York City. I grew up in Minneapolis, MN (by way of Palo Alto, California). I graduated from Northwestern University in 2014, with a B.A. in Theatre, and a minor in American History.
I am a high school English teacher, currently working primarily with 10th grade students. I have previously worked at middle and elementary schools as well. I graduated from the University of Chicago in 2016 with a B.A. in English and Theatre. I then got my M.S.Ed from Northwestern. I have worked with children of all ages in various capacities, including teaching, and I find that the best way for students to learn is to have fun and engage them.
I am a native Texan now living in NYC. I just finished my Master's degree, and I love food, reading, and travel. I've been working and volunteering as a tutor since my high school days, and I am eager to provide advanced-level assistance to you! I'm a friendly, approachable person who maintains a professional but fun learning atmosphere. And, most importantly, we get hard work done!
I am more than happy to share my knowledge with others who are struggling! Tutoring is a great way for me to spend my time helping others excel.
I am currently a PhD candidate at Northwestern University, studying microbiology and public health (my two biggest passions). I received my Bachelor of Science with high honors from Emory University in 2011, where I double-majored in Biology and Spanish. During my time at Emory, I studied abroad in Australia working on barrier reef and rainforest ecology, and studied in Spain mastering my Spanish language skills. I can read and write Spanish with high proficiency and have tutored Spanish speakers, and received highest scores on the AP Spanish exam with listening. My favorite academic subjects are math and science, and I have received perfect scores on a variety of standardized math exams, including SAT I math, SAT II math IIC subject test, BC calculus AP exam, and the GRE quantitative exam. In addition to tutoring mathematics at all levels, I enjoy tutoring grammar and mechanics, and editing essays. I received the Carlos C. Rojas Excellence in Writing Award from Emory University, and have served on the editorial board for Emory University's undergraduate research journal, as well as have authored peer-reviewed manuscripts at Northwestern University. I have lectured to undergraduate students at Northwestern University in cell biology, and have taught English as a Second Language (ESL) in both a classroom setting and one-on-one. I have a very diverse background of knowledge and have worked in a variety of settings, both academic and in industry, and can meet any of your tutoring needs. I am a very patient person with excellent communication and listening skills who will take the time to get to know each of my tutees. After identifying and recognizing a tutee's own strengths and weaknesses, I can tailor a unique tutoring plan to help each student exceed his or her goals.
I'm communicating and working with a pupil that I get a proper indication of how to work best with them. It's crucial to understand every student is different. There are always indications on how to handle/work with each student. For example, with a hostile student I would try to ease off and allow them to talk whilst making the material seem personal and easygoing. With a more outgoing and confident student, I would invite them to be challenged in our studies, as they usually work best with a challenge.
I am well-equipped to help students improve their reading comprehension and essay writing skills. As an avid reader and writing enthusiast, I naturally find great joy in reviewing and editing the work of others. Although writing is incredibly stylistic, it is also remarkably formulaic. With proper preparation, all students are capable of fine-tuning their craft with effective methodologies and strategies all that is needed is the right guidance and support.
I'm pursuing a double major in Mathematics and English at Vanderbilt University. I have been tutoring math since High School and have native proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. I am dedicated to helping students explore the study methods that will fit their individual needs.
I am from Tulsa, OK and came to Boston for college. I studied Biomedical Engineering at both Boston University during undergrad and Tufts University for my masters. After much thought, I deviated from a medical school track to pursue a career in the medical device industry. My love for math and science started around middle school, and I was strongly influenced by my teachers. Through tutoring, I hope to be a similar influence. I really enjoy working with students of all ages (elementary to grads!) In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, hiking, and volunteering at the Animal Rescue League in Boston.
I am an experienced tutor and classroom teacher with a passion for helping students learn - especially when it doesn't come easy. I love teaching math, especially since I know that it can be hard. While I specialize in working with middle and high school students, I have worked with students as young as kindergarten and those well into adulthood.
I am an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University who is pursuing a major in mathematics and a minor in computer science. My experience in tutoring environments entails working at a learning center teaching mathematics and serving as a volunteer in various mentorship and tutoring programs. While I have taught various subjects such as financial literacy and music, I especially love to work with students in mathematics as well as SAT preparation.
I'm a PhD student in Modern European History at Rutgers University, and I recently did an exchange year at the Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris. I have 8 years of experiencing in tutoring and previously worked for the Educational Testing Service in test development for the SAT, PSAT and pre-AP English exams.
I am currently a graduate student Johns Hopkins University getting my masters in chemical and biomolecular engineering. I have spent a lot of time around children and I have spent a good amount of time teaching as well. I want all students that I tutor to feel comfortable when I am tutoring them and I believe all students have the ability to improve. I am very comfortable teaching all subjects for grades up to 9th grade and, when dealing with high school courses, I love to tutor most math and science courses including many AP courses. I also have a lot of experience with standardized test prep and love to tutor for that as well.
I am about to begin graduate school as a PhD Student in Condensed Matter Physics. I am currently working at an experimental physics lab at the University of Maryland, College Park.
I am well versed in all types of questions the students will be faced with on homework or exams. Also, in addition to my teaching experience at Purdue, I have been teaching a one week course in Shanghai yearly since 2008 to prepare Chinese Occupational Health and Safety professionals to take the Certified Industrial Hygienist exam and part of what I help them with are some of the tricks of the trade for successfully taking these types of exams. I also helped my daughter prepare for her GRE exam when her GRE Boot Camp program was suddenly cancelled my prep work with her helped her increase her math score approximately 100 points.
I am most passionate about math though, because it can be related to any subject, and because the skills that are developed through mathematical thinking can help create success in other areas. I try to use multiple approaches while teaching, and present ideas as visually and tangibly as possible. One of the dangers of learning math is that students memorize the method for solving a problem but do not realize the underlying concepts. I do my best to ensure that students recognize the broader concepts. Because math builds on itself, it is also very important to look at past topics that relate to students’ current lessons. There is not always time for teachers do this in a classroom setting. Often you’ll find that a student’s struggles come from missing previous skills that are assumed as their lessons advance. My ultimate goal is to help students build their confidence with math and to set them up for success in their future studies, whether those studies are directly or indirectly related.
I am a former math teacher who has a masters degree in math education. I have taught pre-algebra all the way to calculus! I have taught college math courses as well as PSAT/SAT prep courses, and teacher PRAXIS CORE boot camps. My goal is to ensure that you are successful in your career as a math student and future teacher! Hablo Espanol.
I am currently studying Mechanical Engineering and Japanese at Carnegie Mellon University. I enjoy tutoring because I love sharing knowledge with others, especially in one-on-one sessions, or with a small group. Teaching others is a great way to expand understanding of how other students think and develop ideas, and it allows myself to see new ways to look at problems. While I'm not studying (or helping my friends study), I love to play music (piano, flute, guitar), take a walk through the forest preserve, draw, design/sew clothing, chat with friends, etc. I look forward to contributing to students' learning endeavors!
I am “HQ” (Highly Qualified) certified to teach Social Studies for grades 7-12. I currently teach a sophomore level ethics class at St. Edwards University. I taught several classes at The University of Texas at Austin as a Doctoral Candidate, where I also earned my M.A. in Philosophy. At the University of Southern California, I earned my B.A. with Departmental Honors along with the Discovery Scholar’s award for excellence in independent research. I have been tutoring and teaching for eleven years, with a primary emphasis on developing my students’ writing and critical thinking skills.
I am a graduate of Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in anthropology and English Literature in 2014. Since graduation, I have served one year as a K-2 literacy tutor with A Community for Education, and this past year I worked as a kindergarten teacher at IDEA Public Schools. I will be beginning a Masters Program in Education this fall at the University of Texas at Austin with a certification in teaching 7-12th English. My goal as a professional is to unite my love of literature with my passion for social justice to become an inspirational and effective educator of underserved preteen and teenage students. My tutoring style is very positive and encouraging, and centered around teaching my students in a way that makes sense to them. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, running, travel, and cooking.
I am a graduate of New York University and received my Bachelor of Science in Finance. I also completed my premedical coursework at NYU and will be attending medical school in July 2015 as my next step to becoming a pediatrician. Ever since high school, I have tutored and worked with children of all ages and from all backgrounds. As a tutor at Mathnasium, I worked with elementary and middle school students to improve their math skills. In college, I worked for America Reads and served as a reading tutor for 3rd graders in a NYC public school. And after graduation, I spent my time before medical school teaching self-contained 4th grade in Houston ISD. While I tutor a wide range of age groups and content areas, I am most passionate about tutoring math, science, and college admission tests (SAT and ACT). As a public school teacher, I am also very familiar with 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade STAAR strategies and content. I have had a lifelong passion for working with children, teaching, learning, and math/science. I truly enjoy building relationships with my students and watching them grow academically. Besides teaching children, some of my hobbies include: hiking, skiing, swimming, working with animals, and enjoying the great outdoors.
I'm a recent graduate of Case Western Reserve University with a B.A. in Biology and Cognitive Science, as well as a minor in French. I'm interested in going back to school for either environmental studies or law, but I still have some deciding to do in that regard! My tutoring experience has been varied, from helping peers with homework, assisting my young nephews and nieces with their reading and writing, to mentoring the younger students at the dance studio I used to attend. These are just some of the ways that I've learned to tutor. My favorite things to tutor are writing and algebra. Both are things that can appear complicated and difficult, but often there is only one stumbling block that a student is having a problem with. Once you isolate the issue, everything becomes simple! My tutoring style is to talk and work through a lot of practice problems together. When the student feels comfortable tackling some practice problems on their own, I know they've mastered the concept. I'm also a great listener; if you tell me that you are having a problem in a certain area of a subject, I can very much tailor the lesson and practice problems to the target area. Outside of school, I spend a lot of my time submerged in water! I love windsurfing, scuba diving, and going to the beach. I'm also a huge, huge fan of snow! I ski every chance I get, and lately I've been getting into snowboarding! When I'm just relaxing, I enjoy a good book, a hot mug of tea, and fuzzy blankets.
I am very passionate about education, and especially in student motivation and learning effectiveness. Growing up in China, I have rich experiences in test taking and learning strategies, which led me to Peking University, one of the two top universities in China. I would be thrilled to help you where I can! Feel free to reach out to me if you need help in Math (Primary through high school Math to GRE Math) or Chinese (speaking and/or writing). I am looking forward to learning, growing, and improving with you!
I am a graduate of the University of Kentucky's College of Engineering with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering and a minor in Classics giving me a strong background in mathematics, language and the hard sciences.
I am current student at The Ohio State University pursuing a degree in Chemistry. I consider a very enthusiastic tutor and highly motivated. I have been tutoring Chemistry and Math at the college level for 5 years now at OSU through the university. I also have experience tutoring elementary school through high school age students in variety of subjects from Math to English to Science.
I am a 7th grade English/Language Arts teacher at Gary Comer College Prep Middle School in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood of Chicago, IL. I have also taught math in self-contained and remedial setting.
I am a teacher leader in my community and I enjoy sharing the wealth of knowledge.
I am currently a second year student at Babson College, studying for a bachelors of science degree in business with a concentration in finance and entrepreneurship. I am a motivated student and have taken the highest level of courses possible in both high school and my first year of college. I am a very mathematically minded person so I have a deep understanding of numbers which will help me effectively teach math based courses. I believe that I will make a good tutor because I am able to effectively teach in a number of different styles including visual, verbal and by example so I can make sure that if a student does not understand something at first, they will at the end.
I am a fourth year Medical Student in the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at CCNY. This is a seven year BS/MD program, so by the end of the seven years, I will have achieved both degrees. I have a lot of tutoring experience in the K-12 age especially in the 7-12 grade range. I have taught SAT, SHSAT, ACT, SAT subject tests and Regents exams as well. My favorite subject to tutor is math and biology, but I am able to tutor other subject areas like reading, writing, chemistry, and physics. My tutoring style is very student oriented with some lecturing. I make sure that most of the time I am asking questions, even if it is basic, just to get the student to always be on his/her feet. I also make sure to use a lot of diagrams and flow charts when teaching. Outside of school, I spend a lot of time exploring and doing photography. I also love listening to music, watching basketball, and spending time with friends and family.
I'm sure of, it's that I genuinely enjoy tutoring. I'm also a "professional" student. I say this because absorbing, analyzing, and integrating knowledge from my medical courses are necessary skills for my own academic success. And so, I am more than happy to share my study strategies, techniques, and tips with students.
I am currently a sophomore at Columbia University in the City of New York. I am pursuing a degree in Earth and Environmental Engineering with a concentration in Sustainability and Energy, and I am minoring in East Asian Studies (specifically, Japanese). After graduation, I plan on working in the renewable energy sector in either the United States or Japan.
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Frequently Asked Questions
First grade marks a major transition from play-based learning to structured academics. The most common struggles include phonemic awareness and decoding (recognizing letter sounds and blending them into words), number sense and basic addition/subtraction within 20, and the shift from oral participation to independent written work. Many 1st graders also struggle with fine motor skills needed for writing, attention span during longer lessons, and managing the social-emotional demands of a full school day. Personalized instruction helps identify which specific areas need support—some students may excel at reading but need extra practice with math facts, while others need confidence-building in writing.
First grade reading follows a structured progression: letter recognition and sounds, blending sounds into simple CVC words (cat, dog, sit), sight words (the, and, is), and short decodable sentences. Students who haven't mastered phonemic awareness in kindergarten often struggle here—they may know letter names but can't isolate individual sounds in words. Others memorize sight words without understanding phonics patterns, making it hard to tackle new words independently. A tutor can diagnose whether a student needs more foundational phonemic awareness work, explicit phonics instruction, or fluency practice with connected text. Early intervention in 1st grade is critical because reading difficulties compound quickly if not addressed.
First grade math focuses on number sense (understanding quantities 0-20), counting strategies, basic addition and subtraction within 10, and introducing the concept of place value with tens and ones. Many 1st graders struggle because they're counting by rote (1, 2, 3...) without truly understanding what numbers represent, or they lack subitizing skills (instantly recognizing small quantities without counting). Others memorize facts without developing strategies—like using 10 as an anchor or decomposing numbers—which limits their ability to solve unfamiliar problems. Personalized tutoring helps students build concrete understanding through manipulatives and visual models before moving to abstract symbols, ensuring they develop flexible problem-solving strategies rather than just memorized answers.
First graders transition from scribbling to forming letters, spacing words, and eventually writing simple sentences—a huge developmental leap. Common challenges include letter formation inconsistency, reversals (especially b/d), difficulty with fine motor control, and struggling to translate thoughts into written words. Many students also become frustrated because their writing ability lags far behind their ideas and verbal expression. A tutor can provide targeted practice with letter formation, help students develop finger strength and pencil grip, and use scaffolding techniques like sentence frames or word banks to build writing confidence. Regular, low-pressure writing practice with immediate feedback accelerates progress much faster than classroom instruction alone.
The best 1st grade tutors combine early literacy expertise with patience and understanding of child development. Look for tutors with training in phonics-based reading instruction, knowledge of foundational math concepts and manipulatives, and experience recognizing developmental red flags like letter reversals or fine motor delays. Certification in elementary education, reading specialization, or experience working in early childhood classrooms is valuable. Equally important is the ability to build rapport with young learners—breaking complex skills into tiny steps, celebrating small wins, and keeping sessions playful and engaging. Tutors should also communicate clearly with parents about progress and can explain *why* a child is struggling, not just *that* they're struggling.
Progress in 1st grade is visible and concrete. In reading, you'll see students move from isolated letter sounds to blending simple CVC words, then reading short decodable sentences with fluency and confidence. In math, progress shows up as students counting with one-to-one correspondence, solving addition problems with strategies (not just guessing), and explaining their thinking. In writing, you'll notice improved letter formation, consistent spacing, and the ability to write simple 2-3 word sentences independently. A good tutor tracks progress through regular informal assessments—observing which sounds a student knows, which sight words are automatic, or whether they can explain their math reasoning. Most students show noticeable improvement within 4-6 weeks of consistent, targeted instruction.
Home support dramatically accelerates progress. For reading, parents can read aloud daily (which builds vocabulary and phonemic awareness), point out letters and sounds in everyday life, and practice sight words in short, playful sessions. For math, incorporate counting into daily routines—counting stairs, snacks, toys—and play simple games like dice games or card games that build number sense. For writing, encourage drawing and labeling, write simple messages together, and avoid correcting every mistake (focus on effort instead). The key is keeping it short and fun—10-15 minutes of purposeful practice beats long, frustrating sessions. A tutor can give parents specific strategies and activities tailored to their child's needs, turning home time into an extension of tutoring rather than separate homework.
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