Here's what every district administrator knows: finding effective literacy intervention is challenging. You've likely invested in programs that promised transformation but delivered modest results. Districts spend thousands, students attend sessions faithfully, yet reading levels don't move as expected.
The difference often comes down to one critical factor: who's actually working with your students.
At OnYourMark Education, we've proven there's a better way.
The Relationship Revolution: What Science Shows Us
Before diving into what makes our tutors different, let's establish why it matters. Research consistently shows that strong educator-student relationships don't just improve classroom management—they accelerate learning outcomes:
- Students with trusted adult connections are 2.3x more likely to enjoy learning*
- They're 2.5x more likely to work hard in school*
- Most critically for struggling readers: they feel safe taking the academic risks essential for reading growth
*Source: The 2018 SPARK Youth Voice Survey
Here's what many programs miss: virtual tutoring amplifies the importance of building these crucial connections. Screen-based instruction can easily become disconnected and robotic. Without intentional relationship-building strategies, even the best curriculum falls flat.
That's exactly why OnYourMark has revolutionized how we select, train, and support literacy tutors. Keep reading for the OnYourMark tutor difference.
1: The OnYourMark Approach: Rigorous Selection Meets Mission-Driven Purpose
OnYourMark accepts only 1 in 10 tutor applicants.
Our rigorous screening process—led by subject-matter experts and veteran instructional coaches—evaluates far beyond basic qualifications. We seek tutors who demonstrate genuine belief in every child's potential, understand that relationships and academic growth are inseparable, and commit to continuous improvement.
"To put it simply, our tutors aren't here for a side hustle. They're here for the real work," explains Mindy Sjoblom, OnYourMark's Founder and CEO. "They deliver something more to each child they work with."
Our current team reflects this intentional curation:
- 40% are current or former classroom teachers with deep pedagogical knowledge
- 23% hold active teaching certificates, bringing credentialed expertise
- 10% are bilingual, providing targeted support for multilingual learners
These statistics represent more than credentials—they reflect a carefully assembled team of literacy experts who understand both the science of reading instruction and the art of building student relationships.
2: Comprehensive Training: 22+ Hours Before First Session
Every OnYourMark tutor completes intensive pre-service training before meeting their first student.
Our comprehensive "bootcamp" covers:
Science of Reading Mastery
Deep training across all five literacy pillars—from phonemic awareness through comprehension—ensuring tutors understand not just what to teach, but why specific approaches work for struggling readers.
Culturally Responsive Instruction
Advanced strategies for connecting with diverse learners, including specific techniques for supporting multilingual students and creating inclusive virtual environments.
Virtual Relationship-Building Excellence
Here's where we truly differentiate: specialized training in reading subtle cues through screens, maintaining authentic connections in digital spaces, and building the trust that makes learning possible.
"We don't just train tutors—we coach them for continuous growth," notes Jamie Thomas, Senior Director of Program. This philosophy drives everything from initial preparation through ongoing development.
3: Continuous Professional Development: Investment in Excellence
OnYourMark provides ongoing coaching and professional development throughout each tutor's journey.
Weekly 60-Minute Professional Development Sessions
Live workshops on data-driven instruction, emerging research, and advanced teaching strategies keep tutors at the forefront of literacy best practices.
Personalized 1:1 Coaching
New tutors receive weekly 30-minute individual coaching sessions, while experienced tutors engage in peer-group coaching. Every session includes written feedback for continuous refinement.
Full-Year Coaching Commitment
Each tutor partners with an expert coach for their complete OnYourMark experience, ensuring consistent growth and unwavering support.
"Our coaches are the heart and skill behind the experiences we provide to students," explains Christina Chester, Director of Tutor Development. "When coaches thrive, tutors succeed, and student learning accelerates."
“What I love most about OnYourMark is the incredible support from the coaches and the impact of the professional development sessions. These experiences have helped me grow into a more confident and effective tutor, allowing me to better support students who are struggling with reading.
Watching these kids make progress—knowing that my efforts, combined with the guidance of my coach and this program, are making a real difference—is truly rewarding. Each day, I wake up excited to help students on their reading journey. I'm especially proud of the progress my students have made and the achievements they've earned through this program.
I'm looking forward to continuing this journey, seeing more students grow into confident readers, and deepening my skills as a literacy tutor. My experience with OnYourMark has been nothing short of amazing, and I'm proud to be part of such a meaningful and supportive program.”
– Hadeel E., OnYourMark Tutor
4: The Connection Techniques That Change Everything
Here's what separates OnYourMark tutors from typical online instruction: we've mastered the art of virtual relationship-building. Our tutors are trained in specific techniques that other programs simply don't teach:
- 2-Minute Connections: Personalized check-ins that show students they're seen and valued ("How's your new puppy, Jayden?")
- Micro-Progress Celebrations: Specific acknowledgment of growth that builds confidence ("You've mastered 12 irregular words—up from 5 last week!")
- Real-Time Re-engagement: Responsive strategies like movement breaks when attention wanes, showing tutors truly understand their students
Every OnYourMark session begins with relationship-building and maintains student engagement throughout, maximizing both learning time and emotional connection.
The Proof: Students Who Actually Want to Attend
The difference shows in ways that matter most: 76% of OnYourMark students voluntarily attend 3+ sessions per week. They don't just complete requirements—they eagerly log in because they know their tutors care.
"It's not just that I get people who are good at building relationships," says Dana Talley, former Chief Academic Officer at Lincoln Parish Schools. "It's that you get people who know the expectation is that you're going to build relationships, and OnYourMark is going to give you activities to help do that... I was amazed at how quickly the kids really connected to the tutors."
This connection translates to measurable outcomes: 54% of OnYourMark students meet or exceed growth expectations, with some campuses achieving 92% attendance rates that demonstrate genuine student engagement.
Why Rigor Creates Results
This intensive approach to tutor selection, training, and support isn't just thorough—it's strategic. The rigorous preparation enables tutors to:
- Build authentic relationships that make students feel safe to struggle and grow
- Recognize and respond to individual learning needs in real-time
- Celebrate progress in ways that build genuine confidence
- Maintain engagement even when content becomes challenging
Students don't just improve test scores; they develop genuine confidence in their reading abilities and see themselves as capable learners.
Caddo Parish Schools in Louisiana saw a 36% reduction in students well below benchmark from the beginning to end of year for OnYourMark-tutored students.
Your Students Deserve the Difference
Every district faces the same fundamental question: How do we provide literacy intervention that actually transforms student outcomes?
The answer isn't found in curriculum alone, or technology alone, or good intentions alone. It's found in investing in people—specifically, tutors who combine deep expertise with genuine commitment to student success.
OnYourMark's mission extends far beyond individual reading lessons: we believe all children deserve access to high-quality reading instruction and the opportunity to become confident, thriving readers. This mission alignment cascades from our leadership through every tutor interaction.
When tutors understand they're not just teaching irregular words but potentially changing life trajectories, their entire approach transforms. When students feel genuinely connected to caring adults who believe in their potential, learning accelerates.
Your struggling readers have already fallen behind. They can't afford tutors who are still learning on the job or going through the motions.
They deserve tutors who've been rigorously selected, intensively trained, and continuously supported. They deserve tutors who don't just deliver instruction but build the relationships that ignite confidence and accelerate growth.
They deserve tutors who make the cut.
OnYourMark tutors are different. See how OnYourMark's expertly trained tutors can transform literacy outcomes in your district. Our Spring 2026 cohort is forming now. Contact our team to learn how we can partner with you to ensure every student is ready to grow.
