Frequently Asked Questions about Tutoring Services

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While I am qualified to provide online tutoring for learners of any age, I specialize in offering reading and writing tutoring to students in 1st-5th grade or the equivalent, utilizing the Orton-Gillingham approach.

I exclusively provide online tutoring in reading and writing tutoring using the Orton-Gillingham approach. I do not rely on a specific 'program' but instead draw from various sources to prepare customized lessons for each student.

I provide online tutoring sessions to students 2, 3, or 4 times per week, utilizing the Orton-Gillingham approach for effective reading and writing tutoring.

Sessions for online tutoring are 45 minutes each, so students must be ready with all materials prior to the session start time. We don’t want to waste any of our precious time together, and we want to have plenty of time for practice games!

I offer a free 20-minute initial consultation with the parent to discuss whether online tutoring with Mrs. Vlach, utilizing the Orton-Gillingham approach, would be a good fit for the student. If the parents and Mrs. Vlach decide to move forward with tutoring, there is an intake process that involves screening the student, a pre and post screening consultation with the parents, and a written report. This process is completed for a fee of $135. Each session, focused on reading and writing tutoring, is $67, billed monthly in advance.

I see students online only, focusing on the Orton-Gillingham approach for effective reading and writing tutoring.

Minimum requirements that students must have for online tutoring sessions: 

- A desktop or laptop computer capable of supporting Zoom conferencing, which includes a web camera and microphone. 

- A reliable internet connection with sufficient speed to support watching videos and playing interactive educational games. 

- An adult available to assist with any technical issues during the session. 

- A dedicated quiet space during tutoring time to enhance focus.

- Paper and blue or black ink pen for note-taking and practice. 

Parents will not be asked to purchase any additional materials. 

Items that would be helpful but are NOT required include: 

- Parent access to a printer for documents sent by the tutor. 

- A headset with a microphone for the student (wired or unwired) for clearer communication.  

- A drawer, basket, or container to keep all tutoring supplies organized. 

- A document camera for displaying materials.

Although phones and tablets (both iPads and Androids) support Zoom conferencing, a student using these devices cannot take control of the mouse during sessions. This limitation affects online tutoring, especially when employing the Orton-Gillingham approach for reading and writing tutoring. The student cannot actively manipulate items onscreen nor can they play games that have been shared by the tutor. Lessons that are interactive (where the student can manipulate items themselves) are much more effective for learning, practicing, and retaining information. Being able to work with items onscreen keeps the student engaged, making the experience much more fun!

Each learner is unique and faces different challenges and strengths. Therefore, I cannot, with integrity, say 'Your child will be finished with online tutoring in x time!' During our sessions, we will proceed as quickly as we can and as slowly as we must, utilizing the Orton-Gillingham approach to ensure mastery and long-term retention of skills in reading and writing tutoring. My goal is for my students to thrive independently—I will not keep a student longer than necessary.

Not at all! Our online tutoring sessions keep moving with many different activities to ensure the learner stays engaged. One of the most frequent comments I get from students is, 'Wait, we are already finished for today? We just started!'