We are dedicated to empowering our students and helping them realize that dyslexia does not have to limit their self-esteem or academic success. Through our specialized Barton dyslexia tutoring, we offer a personalized one-to-one learning environment tailored to each student's specific needs. As a reliable Barton reading tutor, we support our students when they feel overwhelmed and celebrate with them as they master new skills. Our team of reading tutors in Portland, Oregon, including our expert PDX reading specialist, is committed to fostering confidence and growth in every learner.
PDX Reading: Expert Dyslexia Tutoring in Portland
The Barton Reading and Spelling System, integral to barton dyslexia tutoring, is an Orton Gillingham influenced program that utilizes a simultaneously multi-sensory, explicit, and systematic phonics approach. Supported by research, it serves as an effective 1-to-1 dyslexia intervention, delivered by a qualified barton reading tutor or a pdx reading specialist among the many reading tutors in Portland, Oregon.
Meet the Team
Miranda Barker
In Person/Remote Tutoring
Hello, I’m Miranda!
I’m the owner of PDX Dyslexia Intervention, and as someone who is both dyslexic and has ADHD, I bring a uniquely personal perspective to the work I do. My own experiences give me a deep understanding of the challenges my students face—and an authentic ability to connect with them in a way that feels empowering, safe, and seen.
I am Barton Certified, which means I’m trained in one of the most trusted, research-based, Orton-Gillingham–inspired systems for reading and spelling intervention. For more than a decade, I’ve had the joy of helping children unlock the code of language, build confidence, and discover that they are capable, bright, and wonderfully unique learners.
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, I’m endlessly inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. My family and I spend our days exploring everything from camping on Mount Hood to building sandcastles along the Oregon Coast—we love living a life full of adventure, curiosity, and wonder.
Catherine Gonzales
In Person/Remote Tutoring
Hello, my name is Catherine Gonzales. I am passionate about animals and spreading kindness. I am also dyslexic and have successfully completed the Barton program. My personal journey is a testament to the effectiveness of Barton in enhancing the education of dyslexic individuals. I am here to share my love for reading and writing and to inspire others with dyslexia to reach their full potential!
Natalie Drummond
In Person/Remote Tutoring
Hi! My name is Natalie Drummond, and I am a former high school special educator and reading interventionist specializing in Barton dyslexia tutoring. As a neurodivergent individual, I understand the importance of building skills and fostering self-confidence. For the past 15 years, I have had the pleasure of supporting dyslexic students in navigating their identities as readers and writers. My experience as a PDX reading specialist has deepened my passion for creating spaces that allow individuals to access literacy as an act of liberation, resistance, and joy. If you're searching for a dedicated Barton reading tutor or reading tutors in Portland, Oregon, I would love to help. In my free time, I enjoy gardening, reading, dancing, and cuddling with my dog.
Kristen Palomares
In Person/Remote Tutoring
Hello! My name is Kristen Palomares, and I am a dedicated Barton reading tutor specializing in Barton dyslexia tutoring. My lifelong love of reading drives my belief that every child deserves the opportunity to experience the confidence and joy that comes from becoming a successful reader.
Over the years, I have enjoyed volunteering with children and teens of all ages, from infants through high school students. My experience working with elementary-aged students has reinforced my passion for helping them build a strong foundation for reading, which is essential for lifelong learning. As a PDX reading specialist, I strive to create a patient and encouraging environment where my students feel supported, celebrated, and confident as they develop their reading and spelling skills. It is a privilege to partner with families and help students discover what they are capable of achieving.
Outside of tutoring, I enjoy spending time with my family, getting lost in a good book, and sharing my love of reading with my young son. I hope to inspire in my students the same love of reading that has been such an important part of my own life. If you are looking for reading tutors in Portland, Oregon, I would be delighted to help!
Cheryl Barker
In Person/Remote Tutoring
Hello! My name is Cheryl Barker, and my journey as a caregiver, nanny, and grade school volunteer has given me a profound understanding of the challenges children with dyslexia face. As a parent of two children who have experienced dyslexia, I understand the frustration and barriers in finding effective reading and spelling resources.
My daughter’s transformative experience with the Barton Reading and Spelling System inspired my passion for tutoring. Witnessing her confidence and self-esteem grow through this system was truly remarkable. The life-changing impact it had on her sparked my desire to help other families navigate the struggles my own family faced through Barton dyslexia tutoring.
With over five years of experience as a Barton reading tutor, I now have the honor of witnessing similar transformations in my students as a PDX reading specialist. Every day, I see how the Barton System empowers children and their families, fostering not just literacy skills but also confidence, independence, and a renewed sense of self-worth.
My mission is clear: to offer support, guidance, and proven methods to those affected by dyslexia. As a dedicated Barton reading tutor for reading tutors in Portland, Oregon, I am committed to ensuring that my students no longer have to struggle in silence.
Family Testimonies
Nolan
Nolan
Nolan
Miranda was an amazing Barton tutor for my son Nolan and I fully recommend her services to anyone who has a dyslexic child. In fact, her dedicated work changed my son’s life. She is a companionate, charming and happy person who developed a strong personal relationship with Nolan. I was impressed by her flexibility in making the program wo
Miranda was an amazing Barton tutor for my son Nolan and I fully recommend her services to anyone who has a dyslexic child. In fact, her dedicated work changed my son’s life. She is a companionate, charming and happy person who developed a strong personal relationship with Nolan. I was impressed by her flexibility in making the program work with our family’s expectations and with Nolan’s needs. They tutored together 4-5 days a week (in person and then later online) and that dedication really paid off. Nolan is strongly dyslexic, was barely able to read the BOB’s books at the biggening of 3rd grade, and was miserable at school. In contrast Nolan was always looking forward to his tutoring session with Miranda, and now he is thriving in middle school, getting all As and being a very happy teenager. They worked very hard and Miranda managed to get such amazing results while making it easy, happy and relaxed for Nolan. This was such a strong contrast with what was happening at school at the time. Miranda is a true professional, with kindness and know-how to help dyslexic kids overcome their learning disability and become the best they can be.” Lydie
“Miranda always made learning very fun for me and she had a deep understanding of my struggles with dyslexia. I am so glad she was able to be my tutor.” Nolan
Nolan
Nolan
The Barton Tutoring system is amazing! Our daughter started the system with Miranda 5 years ago. She is just one book away from graduation. Miranda is the absolute best, we love her like family now. She is very patient and kind with our daughter who is not always the most cooperative. We would highly recommend Miranda for Barton tutoring.
The Barton Tutoring system is amazing! Our daughter started the system with Miranda 5 years ago. She is just one book away from graduation. Miranda is the absolute best, we love her like family now. She is very patient and kind with our daughter who is not always the most cooperative. We would highly recommend Miranda for Barton tutoring. Mirand and the Barton Tutoring system have changed our lived, Sincerely Joni and Dave
Raf
Nolan
Raf
Barton tutoring is a wonderful program. Because of it our son can read. However, in addition to teaching the material, Miranda was patient, she had enough confidence in our son to have high expectations for him, and she modeled a calm fortitude in the face of difficulty. If there was a word that was difficult she taught him how to take hi
Barton tutoring is a wonderful program. Because of it our son can read. However, in addition to teaching the material, Miranda was patient, she had enough confidence in our son to have high expectations for him, and she modeled a calm fortitude in the face of difficulty. If there was a word that was difficult she taught him how to take his time, go through his spelling rules, and persevere. She also taught me a lot about supporting my son's learning while also also being aware of his needs when it came to his ADD. Again, her patience was exceptional, but she also had good rules about fidgets, breaks, and the like. I cannot thank her enough for being cool, fun, and oh so hard core when it came to learning this material. She really was a joy to work with and we will miss her.
"Miranda Barker is a wonderful human. That's right human, along with teaching me how to read I loved her company. As for the program it was highly beneficial to my scholastic and social future (turns out being able you spell a text correctly helps a lot). The only part of the program I regret is site words but it's ok I turned them into a board game. Would highly recommend!" - Raf