Michelle - English tutor - Virginia Beach

1^st lesson free

Michelle

Rate $68
Response 1h

$68/hr

1^st lesson free

English
Reading
Literacy
Spelling
Phonetics

Experienced literacy tutor, Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, over 20 years of experience in teaching, reading, literacy, phonics and ELL support.

English
Reading
Literacy
Spelling
Phonetics

Lesson location

- online

About Michelle

About Me as a Reading Tutor With over 20 years of experience in education, I specialize in helping elementary students (Grades K–5) who struggle with reading—particularly those facing challenges with decoding, comprehension, fluency, and confidence. I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of learners, including deaf and hard-of-hearing students, as well as English Language Learners (ELLs), and I’m passionate about providing individualized instruction that meets each student where they are. My teaching approach is grounded in evidence-based literacy strategies and driven by compassion and patience. I focus on key foundational skills such as phonics, spelling patterns, high-frequency word recognition, and reading fluency. I also teach students how to break down unfamiliar words into smaller, meaningful parts—like syllables, prefixes, and suffixes—to help them become more confident, independent readers. Each lesson is thoughtfully designed and typically includes: A warm-up with phonemic awareness or word work Targeted instruction on decoding, vocabulary, or spelling patterns Guided reading of decodable or leveled texts A wrap-up that reinforces skills, celebrates progress, and builds confidence I’m especially mindful of adapting materials and communication styles to support deaf students, using visual aids, fingerspelling, and other strategies as appropriate. When working with ELL students, I incorporate language support and cultural responsiveness to help bridge the gap between language development and reading success. What truly sets me apart is my ability to create a safe, encouraging learning environment where students feel seen, supported, and capable. I partner closely with families, offering regular updates and at-home strategies to keep students moving forward between sessions. If your child is struggling with reading or needs specialized support, I’d be honored to help them grow into a more skilled, confident, and joyful reader.

About the lesson

Teaching Method and Techniques
My teaching method is rooted in encouragement, structure, and research-based literacy practices. I focus on building confidence while developing core reading skills. I use systematic phonics instruction, guided reading, and multisensory learning (visuals, movement, sound) to help students engage with text in meaningful ways. I explicitly teach spelling patterns and show students how to break words into parts—like syllables, prefixes, and suffixes—so they can tackle unfamiliar words independently. I continuously assess students’ fluency, decoding, and comprehension, adjusting instruction to meet their unique needs.

A Typical Lesson Plan
A typical 45–60 minute session includes:

Warm-up – A short phonemic awareness activity or word game to activate prior knowledge and get students engaged (5–10 minutes)

Targeted Skill Instruction – Focused work on phonics, spelling patterns, or vocabulary, including how to decode and segment unfamiliar words (15–20 minutes)

Guided Reading – Reading a leveled or decodable text together, with support in applying strategies like sounding out, using context, and breaking words into meaningful parts (15–20 minutes)

Wrap-up – A review activity, confidence-building praise, and goal setting for next time (5–10 minutes)

Each session is flexible based on the student’s needs and progress.

What Sets Me Apart as a Tutor
I specialize in helping struggling readers build not only their reading skills, but also their self-esteem. I create a safe, supportive environment where mistakes are treated as learning opportunities. What sets me apart is my focus on explicit strategy instruction, such as teaching students how to identify spelling patterns and break down complex or unfamiliar words. I provide steady encouragement, track progress closely, and communicate clearly with families to reinforce growth outside of sessions.

Who the Lessons Are For
My lessons are designed for elementary students (Grades K–5) who are struggling with reading, including those with dyslexia, language-based learning differences, or gaps in foundational skills. I also work effectively with ESL learners and students who benefit from extra support with decoding, comprehension, and confidence in reading.

Rates

Rate

Pack prices

5h: $340
10h: $680

free lessons

The first lesson with Michelle will allow you to get to know each other and discuss your needs for future lessons.

online

$68/h

Experienced literacy tutor, Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, over 20 years of experience in teaching, reading, literacy, phonics and ELL support.

Lesson location

About Michelle

About the lesson

Rates

Rate

Pack prices

free lessons

online

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Experienced literacy tutor, Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, over 20 years of experience in teaching, reading, literacy, phonics and ELL support.

Lesson location

About Michelle

About the lesson

Rates

Rate

Pack prices

free lessons

online

Similar English tutors in Virginia Beach

Sophie

Maz

Michael

Denise

Luka

Moira-Clare

Mobina

Jack

Fareeha

San

Duncan

Anjali

Pauline

Ellie

David

Sagar

Nikolina

Yolanda

Derek

Tanja

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