Award-Winning Special Education Tutors
serving Buffalo, NY
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Award-Winning Special Education Tutors serving Buffalo, NY

Certified Tutor
Liz
Liz holds a master's in Special Education (Mild to Moderate Disabilities, grades 5–12) from Simmons College and has worked extensively with students who have learning disabilities, ADHD, dyslexia, and emotional impairments. That clinical training, paired with her hands-on experience teaching and dir...
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)

Certified Tutor
10+ years
Jessica
Every learner processes information differently, and Jessica adapts her teaching style accordingly — breaking concepts into smaller steps, using visual organizers, or finding alternative explanations when the standard one doesn't click. Her science and economics training means she can support studen...
University of Chicago
Current Undergrad, Economics, Cancer Biology
Certified Tutor
Molly
During her years teaching second through fourth grade, Molly worked daily with students who had a wide range of learning needs, from reading intervention to modified math instruction. She pulls from multiple curricula and adapts materials on the fly — adjusting pacing, breaking tasks into smaller st...
Northwestern University
Master of Science in Education
Columbia University in the City of New York
Bachelor in Arts, History
Certified Tutor
Victoria
Victoria spent three years as a certified classroom teacher through Teach for America, working with first through third graders who had a wide range of learning needs, including IEP-supported students. She adapts lessons to different processing styles and paces, breaking academic content into struct...
Yale University
Master's Degree in Education
Southern Connecticut State University
Master of Science, Education
Yale University
Bachelor in Arts
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Heather
Heather's psychology background gives her real insight into how different learners process information — whether a student needs material broken into smaller chunks, presented visually, or reinforced through repetition. She's especially effective with kids who get frustrated easily, building their c...
Cornell University
Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Certified Tutor
Harry
Every learner processes information differently — some through auditory explanation, some through visual mapping, others through hands-on activity — and Harry builds each session around identifying what actually works for that student. His background in theater and education at Northwestern trained ...
Northwestern University
Bachelor in Arts, Theater
Northwestern University
BA (School of Communications)
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Yan
Every learner processes information differently, and Yan's entire educational philosophy centers on adapting how material is presented until it connects. Her master's in Curriculum and Instruction trained her to design differentiated lessons, and her years in Boston elementary and middle school clas...
Boston College
Master of Arts, Curriculum and Instruction
Boston College
Bachelor in Arts, Elementary School Teaching
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Mati
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 strateg...
New York University
Bachelor in Arts, Creative Writing
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Elliot
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 consi...
Hampshire College
Bachelor in Arts, Cognitive Science
Vanderbilt University
Doctor of Philosophy, Neuroscience
Certified Tutor
Alex
Occupational therapy is fundamentally about adapting tasks so people can succeed despite neurological, developmental, or learning differences — and that's the perspective Alex brings to tutoring. Currently in Washington University's OT Doctorate program with a neuroscience background, Alex understan...
Washington University in St. Louis
Masters, Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Bachelors, Psychology
Certified Tutor
James
Teaching across dozens of NYC public schools exposed James to students with a wide range of learning differences, from processing delays to attention challenges. He builds individualized approaches — breaking instructions into smaller steps, using multi-sensory reinforcement, and adjusting pacing in...
SUNY University at Albany
Bachelor of Science, Economics and Japanese
Washington University in St. Louis
Current Grad, Physical Therapy
Certified Tutor
Alan
A Master's in Education trained Alan in differentiated instruction, IEP-aligned goal setting, and multisensory teaching methods that reach learners who struggle in traditional classroom environments. He adapts pacing and materials to match each student's processing style, whether the challenge invol...
Harvard University
Masters, Education
New Mexico State University-Main Campus
Bachelors, Mathematics
Certified Tutor
Kim
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 toolk...
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Masters, Business Administration and Management
Princeton University
Bachelors
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Hans
Hans completed his Northwestern economics degree in three years rather than four, which required him to develop precise study systems and organizational strategies — skills he now applies when building structured routines for students who need extra support with executive function, task management, ...
Northwestern University
Bachelors (Economics; minor: International Studies)
Certified Tutor
Max
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 acr...
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelors
Nearby Special Education Tutors
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Frequently Asked Questions
Personalized tutoring allows instruction to be tailored to each student's specific learning style, pace, and IEP goals—something difficult to achieve in a classroom setting with a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. A tutor can break down complex concepts into smaller steps, provide immediate feedback, and adjust strategies in real-time based on what's working. This targeted approach helps students build confidence and make measurable progress toward their individualized education plan.
Yes. Tutors can review your child's IEP and align their instruction with the specific academic and functional goals outlined in the plan. Whether your child is working on reading fluency, math skills, social-emotional learning, or executive functioning, personalized tutoring can reinforce what's being taught in school while providing additional practice and support. It's helpful to share the IEP with the tutor so they understand your child's strengths, challenges, and recommended accommodations.
Students often struggle with foundational skills like reading decoding, math computation, or attention and organization—areas where focused, one-on-one practice makes a real difference. Tutoring can also address gaps caused by missed instruction, build automaticity in key skills, and teach learning strategies that help students become more independent. By working in a low-pressure, customized environment, students can practice without frustration and develop the confidence to apply skills in the classroom.
The first session is typically an assessment and relationship-building meeting. The tutor will learn about your child's strengths, learning style, current challenges, and any relevant background (including IEP information if you share it). They'll ask questions to understand your goals and may do some informal assessment to see where your child stands academically. This foundation helps the tutor create a personalized plan for the sessions ahead.
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have experience working with students with diverse learning needs and disabilities. Many have backgrounds in special education, teaching, speech-language pathology, or related fields. When you reach out, you can discuss your child's specific needs so we can match you with a tutor whose expertise aligns with your child's learning profile and goals.
Good tutoring includes regular progress monitoring. Tutors can track improvements in specific skills (like fluency, accuracy, or task completion), keep notes on what strategies are working, and share updates with you about what your child is learning. You might also see progress reflected in classroom work, homework completion, or behavior—especially if the tutor is reinforcing skills and strategies your child needs. It's a good idea to check in with your tutor regularly about what you're noticing at home.
Buffalo's 24 school districts offer special education services through IEPs and 504 plans, but personalized tutoring adds an extra layer of support. While school-based services address your child's core needs, tutoring can provide intensive practice on specific skills, help bridge gaps between grade levels, and offer a customized learning environment where your child can build skills and confidence. Tutoring and school services work best together as part of a comprehensive support plan.
Reach out to Varsity Tutors and share information about your child's age, grade, learning needs, and specific goals. Let us know if there are particular skills or subjects you'd like to focus on, and whether you have an IEP we should be aware of. We'll match you with a tutor who has experience supporting students with similar needs, and you can start with a first session to see if it's a good fit.
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