Cody’s Journey: From Struggling Reader to Independent Learner

Introduction: A Difficult Start

Cody came to me at eight years old, diagnosed as a profoundly dyslexic learner. His mom, a close friend of mine, was thrilled when she learned that I could provide the tutoring he so desperately needed. From the start, Cody faced significant challenges—he had been struggling since first grade and couldn’t read even basic sight words. His school experience was frustrating, and he even lost recess time due to his reading difficulties. The lack of encouragement in his learning environment made things even tougher.

Tutoring Approach: Personalized and Supportive

To help Cody build his reading skills, we started with two 50-minute Barton Reading & Spelling sessions per week. As we progressed, it became clear that he needed more intensive support, so we extended our sessions to 105 minutes twice a week. This was a delicate balance, as Cody was also a state-level gymnast with an intense training schedule. Despite the challenges, we found a rhythm that worked.

Breakthrough Moments: Small Wins Leading to Big Success

When Cody first started, he was not a reader. However, over time, he began recognizing words in his everyday life. One of the first major breakthroughs was when he excitedly read street signs—something that had once seemed impossible. As his confidence grew, so did his love for reading. Eventually, he began choosing to read novels on his own, a remarkable shift from where he started.

Achievements: Independence and Confidence

Today, Cody continues to excel. One of his most recent and proudest accomplishments is studying for his professional drone license. His mom has been encouraging him to take on more of the reading himself, and he’s rising to the challenge. His practice test scores are now 70-90%, proving just how far he has come.

A Mother’s Gratitude

Cody’s mom has seen firsthand the impact of his transformation and couldn’t be more grateful. She shared, “Rosanna has helped him tremendously in his journey. She has encouraged him, cheerleaded him, and made such a difference in his education. Cody wouldn’t be where he is without Rosanna. We are so grateful for the work she has done!”

Final Thoughts: A Bright Future Ahead

Cody’s story is a testament to what the right support, encouragement, and dedication can achieve. He is no longer the struggling reader who lost recess—he is an independent, confident learner excited about his future. And I have no doubt that he will continue to soar, both in academics and in life.

Student Success Story: How Barton Tutoring Transformed a Young Reader

Initial Challenges

Before starting tutoring with Eureka, my 10-year-old daughter struggled to retain the reading and spelling rules she was learning. Despite working through the Barton Reading and Spelling program at home, the concepts just didn’t seem to stick. She would learn a rule one day but forget it soon after, making reading and spelling a constant struggle.

The Turning Point

Everything changed when she began working with Rosanna at Eureka Tutoring. The structured support, engaging lessons, and targeted reinforcement made all the difference. She especially enjoyed the games that helped reinforce the lessons in a fun and interactive way. Instead of feeling frustrated, she started to look forward to her tutoring sessions.

Remarkable Progress

With consistent tutoring, she not only retained the Barton rules and tools more effectively but also saw significant improvement in her reading fluency. Her post-test scores consistently showed strong results, proving that the strategies were finally sticking.

A Proud Moment

One of the biggest milestones was seeing how quickly her reading fluency improved. She became more confident, read more smoothly, and tackled words that once seemed impossible. The progress was undeniable, and it was clear that the structured support from Eureka Tutoring made all the difference.

Final Thoughts

I highly recommend Eureka Tutoring to any parent whose child is struggling with reading and spelling. The Barton Reading and Spelling program, combined with the right tutor, can truly be life-changing. Seeing my daughter grow into a confident reader has been one of the most rewarding experiences, and I’m grateful for the support she received from Rosanna at Eureka Tutoring!

From Struggling Reader to Confident Student: E’s Success Story

E’s Initial Challenges

E struggled with reading throughout her elementary years. By the time she entered middle school, the challenges became even more apparent. One day, she bravely approached her parents and said, “I need more help with reading and spelling since middle school is harder.” Knowing how crucial literacy skills are for academic success, her parents searched for an in-person tutor who could provide the specialized support she needed.

The Tutoring Approach

Meeting twice a week, Rosanna used a multi-faceted approach to help E build her reading and spelling skills. She incorporated:

• Kilpatrick Drills to strengthen phonemic awareness.

• Warm-up games aligned with Barton Reading and Spelling lessons.

• Focused bookwork with the Barton program.

• Individualized spelling folders tailored to E’s needs.

• Sight word work and technology tools to reinforce learning.

Consistency was key. With each session, E’s confidence grew—not only in reading but also in embracing her dyslexia as a strength. Rosanna highlighted the many successful individuals with dyslexia, such as Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, Kevin O’Leary, Van Gogh, Picasso, Tim Tebow, Richard Branson, Einstein, Patricia Polacco, and Roald Dahl. This helped E see that dyslexia wasn’t a barrier but a unique way of thinking that could lead to great achievements.

E’s Progress and Milestones

E made noticeable strides early on. Just after eight sessions, her mom observed a breakthrough moment:

“She had to spell the word ‘Atlantis’ in an assignment. She kept typing it wrong, but then I heard her break the word down into smaller parts, say it all together, and spell it correctly. I was really proud of her. I’ve never heard her do that before, and I know it came from the work you do together.”

As E continued with the program, her reading and spelling skills became second nature. By the time she completed Barton, she not only had the tools to succeed but also the confidence to apply them independently in school.

E’s Achievements Today

Now in high school, E is excelling in all her classes, applying the skills she gained from Barton Reading and Spelling every day. She has transformed from a struggling reader into a confident student who tackles her assignments with determination. Her success is a testament to her hard work, the power of the right tutoring approach, and the unwavering support of her family and tutor.

Final Thoughts

E’s journey proves that with the right guidance, strategies, and encouragement, students with dyslexia can thrive. Her story is an inspiration to other families facing similar challenges—reminding them that with the right support, anything is possible.

Unlocking P’s Potential with the Barton Reading & Spelling System

Introduction: A Brilliant Mind Held Back

P is an exceptionally gifted and curious learner, with a mind that soaks up knowledge at an incredible pace. However, despite his brilliance, he struggled with reading and spelling consistently and accurately. Attending a Montessori school, P found it difficult to fully demonstrate his knowledge in written form, and the assigned spelling group didn’t meet his needs. These challenges kept him from expressing his full potential, leading to frustration and underperformance in areas that required strong literacy skills.

The Tutoring Approach: Mastery-Based Learning with Barton

When P began working with me, I introduced him to the Barton Reading and Spelling System, a structured, systematic approach that builds literacy skills step by step. This method was exactly what he needed—reinforcing concepts he was somewhat familiar with while also filling in the gaps where deeper mastery was needed.

Where he showed confidence and understanding, we moved quickly. Where he struggled, we lingered until mastery was achieved. To keep him engaged, I incorporated interactive games that reinforced our lessons, tapping into his competitive spirit. He was especially motivated by leaderboards and personal bests, challenging himself to improve each time.

Initially, P was skeptical. At just eight years old, he had a level of confidence that made him question whether this was necessary. He told me outright that he already knew everything I was about to teach him. I reassured him that if he truly mastered a concept, we would move quickly. Over time, P realized that while he had knowledge, he lacked application. Through our sessions, he discovered the difference between “knowing” and “owning” a skill.

Progress and Breakthroughs

The progress was undeniable. P’s standardized test scores saw remarkable improvement over the past 18 months, and his mom noticed a significant change in his reading abilities at home. One of my favorite aspects of our sessions is encouraging students to spot Barton concepts in the real world and bring those discoveries back to me. P became one of my most enthusiastic participants, excitedly sharing his real-world connections and earning extra prizes along the way.

His confidence shifted from self-assurance alone to a deep trust in his own skills. He knew that he truly understood and owned the literacy concepts we worked on together.

Achievements and Looking Forward

Perhaps the biggest milestone was that P no longer needed his assigned spelling group at school. The skills he built through Barton tutoring had surpassed the school’s requirements, allowing him to move forward with greater independence in his learning. His future looks bright—his strong literacy foundation will support his ability to express himself and engage with new challenges with confidence.

Parent Testimonial

P’s mom shared this glowing review: “My son has worked with Eureka for over 18 months. We have seen tremendous growth in his reading ability, and it shows in his standardized test scores. He enjoys the structure of the tutoring sessions as well as the rewards for completing milestones in the Barton System.”

Final Thoughts

P’s story is a perfect example of how the right support can unlock a child’s true potential. His journey highlights the power of structured literacy instruction, individualized pacing, and the motivation that comes from seeing personal progress. Watching P go from skepticism to mastery has been incredibly rewarding, and I have no doubt that his strong foundation will continue to serve him well in the years ahead.

Beth’s Journey: From Struggling Reader to High School Success

Introduction

From the time Beth started kindergarten, reading and spelling were a constant challenge. Her mother recognized the struggle early on and sought remediation to help, even taking on the task of teaching Beth herself. Despite these efforts, Beth still found reading difficult and often felt discouraged when faced with unfamiliar words.

The Challenges

Beth’s lack of confidence in reading impacted her both academically and personally. She frequently expressed frustration, saying, “I can’t read that” or “What does this say?” The uncertainty she felt with reading and spelling created barriers to her learning and self-esteem, making it difficult for her to engage fully in schoolwork and daily activities.

The Tutoring Approach

I began working with Beth when she was a late elementary student, using the Barton Reading and Spelling System to build her foundational skills. Over the years, we worked through the program methodically, reinforcing phonemic awareness, spelling rules, and fluency strategies. Our goal was not just to teach her how to read and spell but to give her the tools and confidence to do so independently.

Progress and Breakthroughs

As Beth applied the rules and tools she was taught, I began to see a shift. Her consistency improved, her fluency increased, and her spelling accuracy became more reliable. While she still faced nerves when it came to post-testing, she always rose to the occasion and performed well. Though her confidence took time to catch up with her growing skills, I could see her belief in herself strengthening with each session.

Achievements and Lasting Impact

Today, Beth is excelling in her high school coursework. She has found joy in sign language choir, is a dedicated member of her swim team, and pursues her academic and extracurricular goals with determination. Her hard work and perseverance have paid off, and she now approaches challenges with resilience and a willingness to learn.

Beth’s story is a testament to the power of structured literacy instruction, patience, and encouragement. Watching her grow from a hesitant reader into a thriving high school student has been an honor, and I am excited to see all the incredible things she will accomplish in the future.