Barton Marks, M.Ed.
Online Reading Coach
"Reading difficulties often have negative repercussions that reach far beyond academics and into a student's emotional well-being and self-esteem. This is why I regard each of my students as urgent - calling for immediate and accelerated intervention. The faster students overcome their reading issues, the sooner they acquire the confidence that comes with success and progress.
I believe that everyone deserves to read."
- Barton Marks
Barton's Background
Barton began his training as a remedial reading instructor in 1996 under the tutelage of Joyce Bilgrave, founder of the Rawson-Saunders School of Austin. He worked for Joyce at Durango Mountain Camp, a camp for children with dyslexia, and learned the Orton-Gillingham approach for dyslexic remediation. He subsequently trained in the Lindamood Bell LiPS, a speech pathology based program, and Wilson Language Systems, an Orton-Gillingham based program. His approach utilizes a blend of these evidence-based, highly effective programs for a program of accelerated phonics and reading. Barton received his M.Ed. in Special Education in 2020.
When he is not teaching, Barton can be found competitive swimming, mountain bike riding, spending time with family and friends, or cooking something new and exotic!
Accelerated intervention
Barton's unique method has evolved over the course of his many years of teaching. It combines what he considers to be the most effective, evidence-based approaches to various aspects of reading remediation in a creative and powerful program of accelerated phonics.
One parent's story
"Our 10 year old son was identified as dyslexic when he repeated kindergarten at age 6. Though he was receiving services at school, we wanted to supplement his progress with additional tutoring. We'd heard great things about Barton, so we gave him a try. After his first session, our son couldn’t wait to work with Barton again. I’ll never forget when I asked him why he liked Barton so much and he said, 'Barton knows how smart I am.'
Today, our son reads well above grade level and shocked us all with his incredible STAAR test scores in 3rd grade. He loves to read ...so much that we have to cut him off at bedtime! Barton taught him reading skills, but more importantly, he gave our child self-confidence and taught him the value of perseverance.
I can’t overstate how lucky we feel to have found Barton when we did. It made all the difference."
- Genevieve G.