John Wallace
Meet John Wallace - Expert Reading, Writing, ELA & Special Education Tutor
John Wallace is a special education teacher who tutors reading and phonics, writing and essay writing, English language arts (ELA) and all elementary subjects, and provides special education support and help with organization and study skills, for students from pre-K through college. He holds a Master's in Special Education from George Mason University and taught for four years as a Special Education Teacher at Annandale High School in Fairfax County. He has five years of tutoring experience, including four years as a private tutor, most recently helping a 3rd grade student with reading difficulties practice phonics, decoding and reading comprehension. Based in Annandale, John tutors in person at local libraries and in students' homes across Alexandria, Arlington and Falls Church, and virtually, approaching every student from a place of calm and positivity.
Areas Of Expertise
Reading & Phonics: John helps students with reading difficulties, including dyslexia and problems decoding, practice phonics, word recognition, decoding and reading strategies, and builds reading comprehension through written and verbal responses. He also has experience with pre-K students, working on the foundations of reading and school readiness.
Writing & Essay Writing: John tutors writing, including essay writing for writing-intensive courses, and helps students who struggle to formulate their ideas. When a student is frustrated, he breaks the task into smaller, more attainable parts.
English Language Arts (ELA): Reading and writing are John's preferred subjects, and he tutors ELA from pre-K through college, with a minor in English from Marymount University. He starts by figuring out each student's strengths and needs and tailors his tutoring to their goals.
All Elementary Subjects: John prefers elementary-level tutoring across all subjects. He adapts his materials to where each student is and, for younger students, gives short movement breaks and stays positive.
Special Education Support: Trained in special education, John has worked toward IEP, behavioral and educational goals with students who have dyslexia, ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities and behavioral needs. He creates, implements and differentiates materials to meet each student's IEP goals.
Organization & Study Skills: John supports students who struggle with organization and getting started on tasks, and he is good at breaking assignments into smaller parts. With older students, he works on organization and time management skills.
Grade Levels: Pre-K through college, plus adult learners. John's reading and writing tutoring spans every grade, and he prefers elementary students for all subjects.
Teaching Philosophy
"I approach a student from a place of calm and positivity. I figure out what a student's strengths and needs are and tailor my tutoring to their goals. If I see a student is frustrated, I work on coping strategies and focus on breaking the task into smaller, more attainable parts. For older students, I work on organization and time management skills. For younger students, I may give short movement breaks and stay positive."
What Makes John Special
Special Education Teacher, Annandale High School: From 2017 to 2021, John taught in a low-incidence special education classroom, taking data on each student's progress toward IEP and behavioral goals. He created and differentiated materials to meet IEP goals and Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) standards, and taught life skills and prosocial strategies.
Carl Sandburg Middle School: As a substitute teacher from 2010 to 2012, John prepared lesson plans for 7th and 8th grade special education science classes, prepared students for SOL testing in science, and collaborated with a general education teacher in a team-taught classroom. He then served as a low-incidence instructional assistant from 2012 to 2014, implementing behavior plans and teaching social and life skills.
Private Reading Tutor: From 2025 to 2026, John supported a 3rd grade student experiencing reading difficulties, reinforcing the teacher's reading programs and materials. He communicated with the teacher to align his tutoring with the student's educational needs.
Coach: John coached a competitive rock climbing junior team in 2007 and 2008 and coached Special Olympics basketball in 2018.
Communication: John is comfortable using text and email to stay in touch.
Education & Achievements
Master's in Special Education, George Mason University (2017).
Philosophy Major, English Minor, Marymount University (2008). Coursework included Characteristics of Learning Disabilities, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology and Philosophy of Law.