At a time when families are keenly aware that a one-size-fits-all instructional approach can prevent children from reaching their academic goals, seeking out a personalized learning experience is a top priority. However, families often face the challenge of identifying which supports will be most effective for their children. “Who can I trust to be a part of my child’s support team?” is a common question, and its answer can seem hidden amid a sea of educational resources. It’s at this point when families are looking to be shown how their expectations can be met. And fortunately, Thrive Tutoring’s qualified and experienced tutors are well-equipped to show why they’re the best in the field.
Meet Jessi Wright, a Thrive tutor with over a decade of experience in elementary education. Jessi’s use of evidence-based strategies—including the Orton-Gillingham approach—has led to exceptional student outcomes. Her success has even positioned her to guide other professionals in their use of effective learning strategies! Needless to say, Jessi has a wealth of knowledge that can help families see what strategies they should be on the lookout for when considering a tutoring option for their children.
Check out an insightful Q&A with Jessi below!
Thrive Tutoring: Connecting with a new family is exciting! However, some students may initially be reluctant to work with a tutor. How do you go about making students feel safe and comfortable enough to learn, especially if they’re a bit apprehensive about the tutoring process?
Jessi: Building trust is key when working with a new student who may feel apprehensive about tutoring. I start by getting to know them beyond academics. I ask about their interests, hobbies, and what they enjoy doing at school and outside of school. This helps create a connection and makes tutoring feel less intimidating. I also focus on their strengths first, celebrating small wins to build confidence. By creating a low-pressure, encouraging environment, students begin to see tutoring as a positive and supportive experience.
I also prioritize making learning engaging and interactive, incorporating games and multisensory activities as much as possible. If a student expresses frustration, I validate their feelings and reassure them that growth comes with time and practice. My goal is to foster a nonjudgmental space where students feel comfortable taking risks and embracing challenges. As trust builds and they see their own progress, their confidence grows, making learning a more enjoyable and empowering experience.
Thrive Tutoring: As you’re getting to know a student, what steps do you take to tailor your tutoring approach to suit the student’s unique learning style?
Jessi: To tailor my tutoring approach, I start by building a clear picture of the student’s learning style, strengths, and areas for growth. I use universal screeners to get a broad sense of their academic skills, followed by deeper diagnostic assessments to pinpoint specific gaps in learning. This data helps me create a targeted plan that meets the student’s unique needs while reinforcing their existing strengths.
Beyond assessments, I also observe how the student engages with different types of instruction—whether they respond best to visuals, hands-on activities, or verbal explanations. I adapt my approach accordingly, using multisensory strategies, scaffolding, and real-world connections to make learning meaningful. By combining data-driven insights with individualized teaching methods, I ensure that each session is both effective and engaging for the student.
Thrive Tutoring: Have you ever found that you’ve needed to quickly adjust your tutoring approach to accommodate academic or socio-emotional changes in a student?
Jessi: Absolutely! Flexibility is essential in tutoring because students’ needs can shift due to academic challenges, personal circumstances, or changes in confidence. I’ve had students who initially thrived with a structured approach but later needed more flexibility due to increased frustration with more complex topics. In these cases, I adjust by incorporating more breaks or alternative strategies to keep them engaged without adding pressure. I also work with families to adjust the length of tutoring sessions pending changes in student needs.
Thrive Tutoring: You have had the privilege of forming many strong bonds with our Thrive families. What student success story is one that you’re particularly proud of?
Jessi: A success story that stands out is one of my very first tutoring students. I have been with him for a few years now. He initially struggled with foundational reading skills and lacked confidence in his abilities. When we first started working together, he was hesitant to read aloud and often shut down when faced with challenging texts. Through a combination of targeted phonics instruction, engaging reading materials, and a focus on building his confidence, he made a lot of progress and is now reading on grade level! He passed his 3rd-grade TNReady (TCAP) assessment and is about to do the same in 4th grade!
Using diagnostic assessments, along with a diagnosis of dyslexia, I identified specific gaps in phonemic awareness and decoding, allowing me to tailor our lessons to his exact needs. Over time, his fluency and comprehension improved, but more importantly, he began to see himself as a capable reader. Seeing that transformation—both academically and in his self-perception—was incredibly rewarding and a reminder of why I love this work.
Thrive Tutoring: When families seek us out, they rightly want an invested member of their child’s academic team. What role has student advocacy played in your tutoring relationships?
Jessi: Student advocacy is a core part of my tutoring relationships because every child deserves support that meets their unique needs. I work closely with families to help them better understand their child’s strengths, challenges, and progress. This often involves guiding parents through the Response to Intervention (RTI) process, helping them interpret assessment data, and explaining how to effectively communicate with teachers about necessary accommodations. For families navigating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), I provide insight into their rights under state law, helping them understand the evaluation process, timelines, and steps for requesting testing or additional support.
Beyond academics, I advocate for students by fostering their confidence and self-advocacy skills. I encourage them to recognize their strengths, ask questions, and express when they need help. By equipping both students and families with the knowledge and tools to navigate the educational system, I help create a support system that extends beyond our tutoring sessions, ensuring long-term success.
