Before I started tutoring, it was hard to read because I had dyslexia. I would try to read, and I would just end up guessing. Most of the time, I couldn’t figure it out.

But then Karen came along. She taught me stuff that makes school easier, and she actually made it fun! She taught me the rules of reading, by singing all kinds of songs that got stuck in my head! I remember how she made up special lyrics to the tune of the Superman theme and the Darth Vader theme! That made it easy to remember the rules.

​

I learned that I can split up a word I don’t know into syllables and figure it out. I also learned a lot of rules from other languages, like Latin roots. Now, when I’m learning them in school, I already know them!

I remember when she was teaching me French, Greek, and Latin rules. One day, I was in the car with my mom and we were passing Home Depot. And I told my mom, “Now I know why we don’t pronounce the T at the end of Depot!”

Now, when I come across a word I don’t know, I remember Karen’s posters, stories, and colored tiles, and they spark my memory. And I remember her funny songs for teaching the rules. They are STILL stuck in my head!

I put in a lot of hours doing tutoring with Karen. I even did five days a week for 90 minutes a day in the summer! It was a lot of work, but I’m really glad I did it. It was worth it because now I’m on a higher reading level – even higher than some other people in my class!

I pay attention better, I read better, and I remember stuff better because of Karen.

Here’s what I have to say to someone who needs your tutoring, like I did: JUST DO IT. You’ll be glad you did!