Award-Winning Susan Barton Tutors
serving Seattle, WA
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Award-Winning Susan Barton Tutors serving Seattle, WA

Certified Tutor
10+ years
Aaron
I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old e...
The University of Texas at Dallas
Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering
Duke University
Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Mimi
I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all su...
Harvard University
Masters in Education, Education
Dartmouth College
B.A.
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Nina
I am a recent graduate from a masters program in biostatistics at Columbia University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, with a focus in neurobiology at Northwestern University. In August, I will be starting a doctoral program in biostatistics at NYU. I was a teaching assistant ...
Columbia University
Masters in biostatistics
Northwestern University
Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences (focus in neurobiology)
Columbia University in the City of New York
Current Grad Student, Biostatistics
Certified Tutor
I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults...
Harvard University
PHD, Education
Wesleyan University
Bachelor in Arts, Sociology
Certified Tutor
Christopher
I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tut...
Harvard College
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
Liz
I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received ...
Simmons College
Masters, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities 5-12
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor of Arts in History (minors in Humanities and Anthropology)
Certified Tutor
Michelle
I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medici...
Baylor College of Medicine
Current Grad Student, M.D.
Rice University
Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Solange
I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campu...
Harvard University
Bachelor in Arts (Sociology & Women's Studies)
Certified Tutor
Charles
I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best descr...
Yale University
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Clara
I am tutoring I tend to ask my students to try to "teach" me concepts they are struggling with, or walk me through a problem that is challenging them, so that any conceptual mistakes or assumptions they are making become clear. In addition, I am a firm believer in never providing the answer to a spe...
Stanford University
Bachelors, Psychology
Other Seattle Tutors
Frequently Asked Questions
The Susan Barton Reading System is a structured literacy approach designed to teach students how to decode and comprehend text systematically. It's particularly effective for students who struggle with phonics, dyslexia, or have gaps in foundational reading skills. The program breaks reading into manageable, sequential steps that build confidence and fluency.
Students who benefit most include those with dyslexia, slow reading development, difficulty with phonetic decoding, or comprehension challenges. However, the system works well for any student who needs structured, explicit instruction in reading fundamentals—from elementary through high school. The personalized approach allows tutors to target each student's specific gaps rather than moving at a one-size-fits-all classroom pace.
In a typical Seattle classroom with a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio, reading instruction must move at an average pace that doesn't always address individual learning gaps. Susan Barton tutoring provides personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your student's specific needs, allowing tutors to spend as much time as needed on foundational skills before moving forward. This targeted approach often produces faster progress than classroom instruction alone, especially for students who learn differently.
Many students show noticeable improvement in decoding and fluency within 4-8 weeks of consistent instruction, though timelines vary based on starting point and frequency of sessions. More significant gains in comprehension and independent reading confidence typically develop over 3-6 months of regular tutoring. The key is consistency—students who meet weekly or more often tend to progress faster than those with sporadic sessions.
The first session focuses on assessment and building rapport. A tutor will evaluate your student's current reading level, identify specific challenges (like phonemic awareness, decoding, or fluency), and explain how the Susan Barton approach addresses those areas. This diagnostic information helps the tutor create a personalized instruction plan tailored to your student's needs and goals.
Expert tutors working with Varsity Tutors who specialize in Susan Barton reading instruction have formal training in the Susan Barton method and typically hold credentials in education, reading intervention, or literacy coaching. Many have experience working with students with dyslexia or reading disabilities. When you connect with a tutor, you can review their specific qualifications and experience to ensure they're the right fit for your student.
Home practice is crucial to reading improvement. Tutors typically assign brief, focused practice activities between sessions that reinforce what was learned—usually 15-30 minutes a few times per week. This consistent reinforcement helps students internalize phonetic patterns and build automaticity, which accelerates progress. Your tutor will explain exactly what to practice and how to support your student at home.
Varsity Tutors matches you with expert tutors trained in Susan Barton reading instruction based on your student's needs, schedule, and learning style. Simply share information about your student's reading challenges and goals, and we'll connect you with qualified tutors available in the Seattle area. You can then discuss your student's specific situation and decide on a tutoring plan that works for your family.
Connect with Susan Barton Tutors in Seattle
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