Susan Barton loves hearing from parents about the impact Barton tutoring has had on their child, as this parent shared:
“We first noticed our daughter, Ella, was struggling in kindergarten. When her school closed because of COVID, her teacher sent home sight words to practice. No matter how many times we reviewed them, she could not remember them. The next morning, it was as if she had never seen them before. We became very concerned.
In first grade, Ella started receiving extra help at school from the Reading Specialist. It wasn’t long before we knew she needed more intense intervention. While sharing our concerns with other parents, two moms encouraged us to have Ella evaluated at the Dyslexia Reading Connection, and we will be forever grateful for their advice.
When Ella was diagnosed with dyslexia, our overwhelming feeling was relief. We finally understood why reading was so hard for her.
Ella talks openly about her dyslexia and embraces the unique way her brain works. We remind her often that she is “perfectly and wonderfully made,” and this journey has only strengthened that belief.
The Barton Reading & Spelling System has truly helped our daughter. The transformation has been remarkable. Today, Ella is reading at grade level! Barton tutoring has given her the confidence to do anything. We are so thankful to you, the staff at DRC, and Ms. Karrie — her incredible tutor.
Jackie Sharkey Parent Appleton, WI
Karrie Brass Certified Barton Tutor at the Masters Level Appleton, WI
Susan Barton loves hearing from graduates of the Barton Reading & Spelling System who are thriving as adults. Here’s Jordan’s story:
Throughout much of his childhood and adolescence, Jordan bore a silent burden that few around him noticed. Reading even simple three-letter words felt like climbing a mountain. As classmates zipped through homework and read aloud with ease, Jordan’s world was filled with anxiety, confusion, and a growing sense of inadequacy.
“Growing up, school was very difficult because I couldn’t read,” he remembers. “And everything you do in school is reading.”
Jordan was dyslexic, though no one had named it yet. His mother tried computer-based programs like Hooked on Phonics, and he was placed in special education classes. But nothing truly helped.
That changed when Jordan’s aunt recommended the Barton Reading & Spelling System. With the help of two dedicated tutors—Certified Barton Tutor Laurie Butler and Susan Barton herself—Jordan finally began to make progress. As his reading improved, his confidence blossomed. One day, he proudly read a paragraph aloud in class—a moment that once felt was impossible.
Then came another turning point. Jordan earned a perfect score on the reading portion of his GED exam.
“I was so excited and happy,” he shares, “because for the first time in my life, I got a 100% on something I could never do before.”
Today, Jordan enjoys reading books, spending time with his family, and caring for his Rottweiler, Geri. He has a successful career and a message of hope: With the right support, it’s never too late to learn.
Susan Barton truly appreciates hearing from graduates of the Barton Reading & Spelling System as they share their unique dyslexia journeys. Here’s Ruby’s story:
Ruby always knew that she “had something” because she felt like she learned differently from her classmates. She couldn’t read until third grade and constantly struggled with spelling. “For a long time, I felt stupid, like I couldn’t learn anything,” she recalls. “I just thought I was dumb.”
Everything changed when her mom discovered the Barton Reading & Spelling System. Ruby was nervous the first time she met with her Certified Barton Tutor, Laurie Frydenlund. But soon she realized that Laurie understood her in a way her teachers at school never had. Working through the Barton System gave Ruby confidence — something she says she never had before.
One memory that stands out for Ruby is riding in the car with her mom and suddenly realizing she could read the street signs. “I could never do that before, and that is probably why I want to be an educator,” Ruby shares. “Because of Barton, I found a love of learning, and I want to help kids learn too.”
Looking back, Ruby knows her journey would have been very different without the right type of tutoring. “The Barton Reading & Spelling System changes people’s lives 100%. I think about it all the time — what I would be without Barton. I would be a different person for sure.”
For much of her life, Yvette Jones carried the quiet weight of not knowing why reading was so difficult. It wasn’t until adulthood that she discovered she has dyslexia—and with that discovery came both relief and hope. Her story reminds us that it is never too late to understand your challenges and find the right tools to succeed.
When Yvette began Barton tutoring, she experienced what she calls her “aha moment.” For the first time, reading started to make sense. The barriers that once felt permanent began to break down, replaced by confidence and joy. Her journey shows the incredible power of structured literacy—not just for children, but for learners of any age.
Yvette’s testimony is proof that dyslexia doesn’t define your potential or put an expiration date on learning. Whether you are six or sixty, the Barton Reading & Spelling System can open new doors and offer the gift of reading. Now she shares that freedom with others. She tells parents who feel lost, “You are not alone. Dyslexia is not a weakness—it’s a gift.” Instead of hiding, Yvette speaks openly, serves at her church, and inspires others with her simple, powerful message:
“It’s never too late to learn. Dyslexia doesn’t define you—it can empower you.”
Watch this short 8-minute video to hear Yvette’s inspiring story in her own words.
Susan Barton loves hearing how Barton tutoring has changed a child’s life, as this Certified Barton Tutor shared:
Susan,
I’m thrilled to share an exciting update about one of my Barton students.
Benjamin struggled with reading and spelling from a very young age. Even when he was eight years old, he could not decode simple three-letter words and frequently wrote letters backwards. At first, his mother chalked it up to him being the youngest child. She tried many different reading programs, but none of them helped her son, and he continued to fall further behind.
Benjamin was formally diagnosed with dyslexia when he was 11. A year later, I began tutoring him using the Barton Reading & Spelling System. From the start, he showed tremendous dedication, worked incredibly hard, and ultimately, completed all ten levels.
Once Benjamin completed the Barton System, we started working on written expression using the IEW curriculum. Because of his creativity and intellect, I encouraged him to submit one of his stories to an international contest.
Today, Benjamin is a high school senior. He recently competed in his first speech competition and advanced to the regional level. He was also awarded a Karina Eide Young Writers Award for his exceptional short story, The Doppelgänger’s Dilemma.
It’s incredible to think that the same student who could not decode three-letter words is now delivering speeches and writing award-winning stories with confidence.
I am incredibly proud of the young man Benjamin has become and the inspiration he is to others who are walking a similar path.
Thank you, Susan. Your program truly changes lives.
Kristi Davis Certified Barton Tutor at the Masters Level IEW Accredited Writing Instructor
Susan Barton loves hearing about college-bound Barton students – like this one.
Dear Susan,
I love your newsletters! My 17-year-old daughter, Alyssa, is currently in Level 8 of the Barton Reading & Spelling System, and it has made such a difference in her life. Before starting Barton, she went through the Wilson program at a private school she attended from 1st to 6th grade. The Barton System has been a powerful resource for our daughter—not just in improving her reading, writing, and spelling, but also in helping with her anxiety and self-esteem.
Alyssa really struggled in elementary school. In kindergarten and first grade, we would spend one to two hours each night on homework that would take a typical child ten minutes to complete. Reading and spelling were extremely difficult for her, but she was always so determined to finish her assignments.
One day, I came across an Instagram post by someone I did not know personally. She shared that she was receiving dyslexia tutoring as an adult and mentioned that her father, a successful CEO, had also discovered his dyslexia later in life. She spoke about how transformative tutoring had been for both of them—not just academically, but emotionally.
That post led me to reach out to her and, eventually, to her mother, who is a Barton tutor. The rest is history! Alyssa’s tutor has helped her make tremendous progress with reading, writing, and spelling, and has also become a mentor and dear friend. Alyssa says the Barton System has boosted her confidence, helped her discover the joy of reading, improved her communications skills, and made completing schoolwork much easier.
Alyssa will head off to college this June, confident, happy, and beautiful. We are incredibly proud of how far she has come and can’t wait to see what her future holds.
Susan Barton loves hearing about college-bound Barton students – like this one.
Dear Susan,
I want to tell you about my incredible daughter. Signe loved being read to as a small child, and we would check out several books each week. But she was unable to read them on her own.
In 3rd grade, as the words got longer and more complex, she hit a wall in reading. No matter how many times we practiced sight words, they would not stick. And she became increasingly frustrated.
We spent the next four years working through your program. During this time,
we watched our daughter’s confidence soar as her reading and spelling skills improved.
Today, our daughter is a college freshman living two hours away on campus. She is balancing a full class schedule, including Speech, Math, 2D design, Global Fashion History, and Sewing. Her goal is to earn a degree in Fashion Design.
Before the school year began, Signe met with the accommodations department to make sure the necessary arrangements were in place to support her success as a student with dyslexia.
She receives extended time on tests, has access to audio textbooks, and uses a Smart Pen and tablet to help her take notes during lectures.
Watching our daughter become her own best advocate has been an incredible experience.
We are constantly in awe of her determination to succeed.
Bright Solutions for Dyslexia 