About

Who am I?

Welcome, my name is Heather Smythe and I am a parent of a child with dyslexia. I started tutoring over 12 years using The Barton Reading and Spelling Program. I initially started with my own son and over time, turned it into a business after seeing his tremendous success.

My goal is to create academic and reading success for students. I am passionate about helping families learn about dyslexia and how to advocate for their children in their schools, in addition to the tutoring that I do.

Experience & Education

Certified Barton Tutor since 2016 (use of program since 2012)
LETRS training, 2021
Dyslexia Advocate Certificate, 2022
Decoding Dyslexia Board Member since 2013

College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN
– B.S. in Psychology and Social Work
Iowa State University, Ames, IA
– M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies, Specializing in Child Development, and Early Childhood Special Education

I am on the Board of Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota (DDMN) where I volunteer by raising awareness about dyslexia at events and with individual conversations with parents. We help families support their children at home and at school, and improve resources for students with dyslexia. One of my favorite events is MN Literacy Day at the Capitol where we gather in the MN Capitol Rotunda to listen to students share their struggles, teachers share their success, legislators share where they want to implement change. DDMN helps shape policy for students with dyslexia/struggling readers and has influenced many MN Statutes changes through grass roots lobbying and advocacy.

Heather with one of her students.

2024 MN Literacy Day at the Capitol