Omar Darea
Meet Omar Darea - Expert Elementary Math, ELA, Phonics & SOL Prep Tutor
Omar Darea is a Virginia-licensed elementary teacher who tutors elementary math, English language arts (ELA), phonics and reading fluency and SOL preparation for students in 1st through 5th grade. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education PK-6 from George Mason University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. As a general education teacher at Randolph Elementary School in Arlington, he has taught 2nd and 5th grade, delivering core literacy, phonics and math instruction, and for the past two years he has tutored 3rd and 4th graders in math and reading fluency twice a week through the APS tutoring program. Based in Arlington, Omar tutors in person in students' homes and at local libraries across Arlington and Alexandria, breaking what's difficult into smaller, manageable steps and practicing each one until it's mastered.
Areas Of Expertise
Elementary Math (1st–5th Grade): Omar has delivered math instruction to full classrooms of 2nd and 5th graders and has tutored 3rd and 4th graders in math through the APS tutoring program, using digital tools such as IXL and Reflex to support math practice. He breaks difficult concepts into smaller, manageable steps and practices each one until the student has mastered it.
English Language Arts (ELA): As a classroom teacher, Omar delivers core literacy instruction, and he has tutored 3rd and 4th graders in ELA through the APS tutoring program, building their foundational skills. He starts from a place where the student is comfortable and builds confidence in the student's own abilities.
Phonics & Reading Fluency: Omar designs and delivers differentiated phonics instruction and uses LEXIA to support literacy, and he has tutored 3rd and 4th graders in reading fluency twice a week for the past two years. To keep students motivated, he brings in games, visuals, songs and rhymes, or the practice methods each student prefers.
English Learner (EL) Support: Omar has designed phonics instruction with strategies tailored for Spanish-speaking English Learner students. He collaborates with EL support staff and specialists to align his instruction with each student's language-acquisition goals.
SOL Preparation: Omar has prepared 5th grade students to take the SOLs toward the end of the school year. He assesses student progress and adapts his instruction to meet each student's individual learning needs.
All Elementary Subjects: As a general education elementary teacher, Omar is comfortable tutoring all subjects at the elementary level. He has a preference for elementary education and tailors each session to how the student learns best.
Grade Levels: 1st through 5th grade. Omar is most experienced teaching 2nd through 5th grade.
Teaching Philosophy
"I start from a place where the student is comfortable and instill confidence in the student's own abilities. I then break what's difficult into smaller, manageable steps and practice each enough times until mastery. I make sure to use games, visuals, songs (rhymes), or student-preferred practices to motivate the student in learning the skill."
What Makes Omar Special
Elementary Classroom Teacher, Randolph Elementary School: Since August 2022, Omar has been a general education teacher at Randolph Elementary School in Arlington, teaching 2nd and 5th grade. He delivers core literacy, phonics and math instruction to a full classroom, assessing student progress and adapting instruction to meet individual learning needs across a diverse classroom.
APS Tutoring Program: Omar has tutored 3rd and 4th graders in math and ELA through the APS tutoring program, building their foundational skills. He has worked with these students twice a week for the past two years.
Arabic Translator, Syrian Emergency Task Force: Omar translated about 100 pages of documents per week from Arabic to English, to be sent to the Department of Defense. In this role, he maintained an organized, detail-oriented and conscientious schedule, strategizing and prioritizing effectively to accomplish multiple tasks.
Communication: Omar is comfortable using text and email to stay in touch.
Education & Achievements
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education PK-6, George Mason University (2022). Magna Cum Laude; Dean's List Fall 2020 through Spring 2022; member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Associate of Science Degree, major in Computer Science.
Certifications: Virginia Teaching License.
Languages: Fluent in Arabic.