Award-Winning Certified Reading Intervention Tutors serving Philadelphia, PA

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Award-Winning Certified Reading Intervention Tutors serving Philadelphia, PA

McKenna

Certified Tutor

5+ years

McKenna

Bachelor in Arts, English
McKenna's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
ACT Writing
ACT English

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 ...

Education

Tulane University of Louisiana

Bachelor in Arts, English

Molly

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Molly

AM
Molly's other Tutor Subjects
Certified Reading Intervention
Orton Gillingham Reading

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 tr...

Education

McDaniel College

AM

York College

AM

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Mimi

Masters in Education, Education
Mimi's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all su...

Education

Harvard University

Masters in Education, Education

Dartmouth College

B.A.

Test Scores
SAT
1560

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Aaron

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering
Aaron's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Calculus 2
Calculus
Algebra

I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old e...

Education

The University of Texas at Dallas

Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering

Duke University

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1530

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Nina

Masters in biostatistics
Nina's other Tutor Subjects
Statistics Graduate Level
Statistics
Calculus
Algebra

I am a recent graduate from a masters program in biostatistics at Columbia University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, with a focus in neurobiology at Northwestern University. In August, I will be starting a doctoral program in biostatistics at NYU. I was a teaching assistant ...

Education

Columbia University

Masters in biostatistics

Northwestern University

Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences (focus in neurobiology)

Columbia University in the City of New York

Current Grad Student, Biostatistics

Test Scores
SAT
1550

Certified Tutor

Reid

PHD, Education
Reid's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults...

Education

Harvard University

PHD, Education

Wesleyan University

Bachelor in Arts, Sociology

Test Scores
ACT
32

Certified Tutor

Liz

Masters, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities 5-12
Liz's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received ...

Education

Simmons College

Masters, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities 5-12

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor of Arts in History (minors in Humanities and Anthropology)

Test Scores
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

Christopher

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Christopher's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Trigonometry

I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tut...

Education

Harvard College

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

Michelle

Current Grad Student, M.D.
Michelle's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Geometry
Calculus

I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medici...

Education

Baylor College of Medicine

Current Grad Student, M.D.

Rice University

Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Test Scores
SAT
1570

Certified Tutor

Charles

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Charles's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Trigonometry

I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best descr...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1440
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Solange

Bachelor in Arts (Sociology & Women's Studies)
Solange's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
ACT Writing
Public Speaking

I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campu...

Education

Harvard University

Bachelor in Arts (Sociology & Women's Studies)

Test Scores
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Justin

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics
Justin's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Multivariable Calculus

I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Com...

Education

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor's in Physics and Mathematics

University of Chicago

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics

Test Scores
SAT
1560
ACT
33

Certified Tutor

Asta

Bachelor in Arts in Political Science
Asta's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Arithmetic
Middle School Math

I am a graduate of the University of Chicago where I received my undergraduate degree in political science. Right after graduation, I worked as an academic and test prep tutor as well as admissions consultant in Hong Kong. For the past two years, I worked with a number of students to help prepare th...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor in Arts in Political Science

Test Scores
SAT
1530
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Daniel

Bachelors
Daniel's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am excited to be home and help fellow straphangers on their educational paths! My largest wealth of tutoring experience is in foreign languages--particularly French--but I also feel very comfortable editing essays of any kind and working through standardized test concepts. My availability is extre...

Education

Brown University

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1500

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Isabella

Current Grad Student, Operations Research
Isabella's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Calculus

I am a graduate of MIT. I received my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with minors in Management Science and Ancient and Medieval Studies. Since graduation, I have started my PhD at Georgia Tech in Operations Research. Throughout my career I have TA'd several math and computer science courses at t...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (minors in Management Science and Ancient and Medieval Studies)

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Current Grad Student, Operations Research

Test Scores
SAT
1510

Frequently Asked Questions

Certified Reading Intervention is a structured, evidence-based approach to reading instruction that targets specific foundational skills like phonics, fluency, and comprehension. Unlike general reading support, it uses diagnostic assessments to identify exactly where a student is struggling—whether that's decoding words, understanding text, or building reading stamina—and applies targeted interventions to address those gaps. Tutors trained in this methodology follow a systematic curriculum designed to help students catch up to grade level and develop lasting reading confidence.

With an average student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 across Philadelphia's 91 school districts, many students don't get the individualized attention needed to overcome reading challenges. Personalized 1-on-1 reading intervention fills that gap by providing focused, diagnostic-driven instruction tailored to each student's specific needs. This targeted approach is especially valuable for students who are falling behind in reading proficiency, allowing them to build foundational skills at their own pace and keep up with classroom expectations.

Reading Intervention is most effective when started early—typically in elementary and middle school—when foundational reading skills are still developing. However, students at any grade level who struggle with decoding, fluency, or comprehension can benefit from this targeted approach. Whether a student is in 2nd grade learning to decode or a high schooler working to improve reading speed and comprehension for academic success, certified intervention can be adapted to meet their specific needs.

Certified Reading Intervention targets foundational struggles like difficulty with phonics and decoding, slow reading fluency that makes it hard to keep up with grade-level texts, and comprehension gaps where students read words but don't understand meaning. It also helps students who have been identified with dyslexia or other reading-based learning differences, as well as English language learners building reading skills in English. A tutor trained in this methodology will diagnose which specific area needs support and build a plan to address it.

The first session typically focuses on assessment and relationship-building. The tutor will ask about the student's reading history, current challenges, and goals, and may administer informal assessments to understand where the student's strengths and struggles are. This diagnostic information guides the creation of a personalized plan. You'll leave the first session with a clear understanding of what's being targeted and how the tutoring will help your student build reading skills and confidence.

Look for tutors who hold certifications in reading intervention methodologies such as Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading System, or similar evidence-based programs. Ideally, they have background in literacy instruction, special education, or reading specialist training. When you connect with Varsity Tutors, we match you with tutors who have demonstrated expertise in reading intervention and a track record of helping students improve decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills.

Progress in reading intervention is measurable through regular assessments of fluency (words read correctly per minute), accuracy in decoding, and comprehension of grade-level texts. Most students show noticeable improvements in reading speed and confidence within 8-12 weeks of consistent tutoring. Tutors typically share progress updates and can track growth using standardized benchmarks, so you'll have clear evidence of how your student is building foundational reading skills and moving toward grade-level proficiency.

Start by connecting with Varsity Tutors and describing your student's reading challenges and goals. We'll match you with a tutor who has expertise in certified reading intervention and understands the specific needs of Philadelphia students. After an initial consultation, you can schedule your first session and begin personalized instruction designed to target your student's reading gaps and build the foundational skills they need to succeed in school.

Connect with Certified Reading Intervention Tutors in Philadelphia

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