The 20% Club

Meet Owen. 💚
Five years ago, Owen started his journey with The 20% Club. This week, he finished the final level of the Barton Reading & Spelling Program — all ten levels complete.
When asked for his advice to new students, Owen said:
"Work hard. It's worth it."
When his mom told him she was proud of him, he said:
"I'm proud of me. I don't feel that way very often because I have to go to school."
We are so grateful for the trust Owen's family placed in us, and so proud of the young man he has become. Ms. Kea, thank you for five years of showing up for him — your impact is immeasurable.
Ms. Kea reports: Owen began working with me in December of 2021. He started with in‑person lessons and eventually transitioned to online sessions as he progressed. He worked hard every single time and always brought his wonderful sense of humor—I laughed through so many of our lessons together. He has now completed all ten levels of the Barton program, and I am incredibly proud of him. I will truly miss seeing him each week.
This is what literacy intervention looks like when it works. 🌱

Today is the last day of school for many kiddos.

For most kids, that means parties, yearbooks, and counting down the minutes.

For our kiddos, it means showing up for tutoring. Just like they have every week since September twice a week no excuses all year long. The next time somebody tells a struggling reader to “just work a little bit harder, “ I hope they picture this because hard work has never been the problem. Access to the right instruction is. And that’s why we’re here.

NEXT YEAR CAN BE DIFFERENT FOR YOUR STUDENT.

Your child works so hard. They sit at that table every night, trying. And still, reading just doesn't click.
That gap between effort and results is one of the most painful things a parent can watch. And it's not your child's fault. They need the right kind of teaching.

Valerie Martin spent 31 years in Sauk Rapids-Rice classrooms helping kids exactly like yours. Through The 20 % Club, she now offers one-on-one sessions using structured literacy methods that are specifically designed for the way your child's brain works.
This isn't generic tutoring. It's the right approach, with someone who has spent a career doing this — and loves every minute of it.

Your child isn't behind. They just need the right teacher.

One-on-one dyslexia tutoring in Sauk - Rapids/Rice.
Learn More: send a DM, evelyn@the20percentclub or 651-245-2858

This week I had the honor of giving the opening remarks at MN Literacy Day at the Capitol.

I stood in that room and looked out at parents who didn't choose this fight, students who showed up anyway, and advocates who refuse to quit, and I was reminded of exactly why this work matters.

We have passed real laws. We have moved mountains. And we are not done.
This year we're asking the legislature to require just two hours of dyslexia professional development for every teacher renewing their license in Minnesota. Two hours that could change a child's entire story.
If you believe every Minnesota kid deserves a teacher who understands how they learn, share this. Show up. Make noise. 💚

I’ll be there to continue the effort.

No shame. No stigma.

📣 Words matter. Understanding matters more.

Dyslexia is not a limitation on intelligence or potential. It is a language-based difference that affects reading and spelling, but it does not define a person’s ability to learn, lead, or succeed.

When we increase awareness, we reduce stigma and open doors for students across Minnesota.

We will continue to advocate for an informed, evidence-based literacy and a deeper understanding of dyslexia.

I love the energy at the capitol and I love being surrounded by fierce dyslexia advocates.

📣 A Powerful Day at the Capitol for Dyslexia Advocacy

Today was an incredible day at the Minnesota Capitol as we showed up to advocate for students with dyslexia across our state. We had the opportunity to meet with both Senators and Representatives—from both sides of the aisle—and one thing was clear: 👉 There is growing awareness and meaningful support for students with dyslexia.

These conversations matter. When lawmakers hear directly from families, educators, and advocates, it helps move real change forward. We are encouraged by the momentum and grateful for the time, attention, and openness we experienced today.

Momentum is building, and your voice matters.
🗓 Join us for Rally Day, April 21 | 9:30 AM
Let’s keep showing up for Minnesota students.

🎉 New Game in The 20% Club TPT Store!

Looking for a fun way to practice tricky Level 6 (Silent-e) units and suffixes?

This new card game pack includes multiple games your students will love:
🃏 You Know (matching-style game)
💥 Boom!
✋ Hand It Over
🐄 Interrupting Cow (our favorite!)
I Have Do You Have

With bonus cards and multiple variations, you can mix and match to create a new game every day while reinforcing important reading skills and vocabulary like erode → erosion and melody → melodious.

✔ Minimal prep
✔ Structured literacy friendly
✔ Designed for struggling readers

Check it out in The 20% Club store on TPT!

Level 6 Card Game Pack (Silent-e Units and Tricky Suffixes) DescriptionThe 20% Club is your source for controlled, decodable text, games, and practice activities designed to support struggling readers.As an Advanced Certified Barton Reading & Spelling System™ tutor, I know how difficult it can be to find engaging resources that align with structured li...

Shoe-tying requires sequencing. So does reading.

Most people think dyslexia looks like reversed letters. But the early signs are often much more subtle.

🚩 1. Strong verbal skills… but weak writing
Your child can explain complex ideas out loud — but their writing is short, simple, or full of spelling errors.

That gap matters.

🚩 2. Trouble remembering sequences
Difficulty with:
Days of the week
The alphabet
Left vs. right
Multi-step directions
Reading is sequencing. If sequencing is hard, decoding often is too.

🚩 3. Extreme fatigue after reading
Headaches. Meltdowns. Avoidance.
Reading feels like a mental marathon.

🚩 4. Inconsistent spelling of the same word
The same word spelled three different ways in one paragraph.

This isn’t carelessness.
It’s difficulty mapping sounds to letters.

🚩 5. Difficulty tying shoes
Tying shoes requires:

Sequencing
Left-right awareness
Motor planning
Working memory

If your bright 8- or 9-year-old still can’t remember the steps, it may not be laziness. It may be a sequencing challenge, the same skill required for reading.

Difficulty with one of these alone doesn’t mean dyslexia.

But when you see several together? That’s when it’s time to look closer.

If this sounds like your child, you’re not crazy. And you’re not alone.
DM me the word “SEQUENCING” and I’ll send you the next steps I recommend for parents.
Or learn more about structured literacy support at The 20% Club in White Bear Lake.

We’re changing minds and defining strengths.

Another great opportunity to experience a dyslexia simulation.

Next Week!
In-Person Event
Laurie Berg, Amy from Newgate co-presidents, and MJ Bauer, ED
Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
Time: 6:30-8:00 PM
Location: Groves Academy

Thank you for registering for the Experience Dyslexia Simulation, facilitated by Decoding Dyslexia of Minnesota!

This interactive, in-person workshop will immerse you in a series of activities designed to replicate the challenges faced by individuals with language-based learning differences. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the frustrations—and resilience—experienced by students with dyslexia and similar learning differences.

Following the simulation, you’ll join a reflective discussion to share insights and explore practical ways to support learners more effectively.

What to Expect:
Hands-on activities simulating reading, writing, and processing challenges
Guided reflection and discussion led by Decoding Dyslexia facilitators
Strategies and resources for supporting learners
Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time for check-in.

We look forward to sharing this powerful experience with you!

Register Here: https://bit.ly/4njYO9c..