Celebrating Independence

The Steadfast Commander

How Thomas Jefferson’s Learning Challenges May Have Shaped His Greatest Ideas

Thomas Jefferson is celebrated as the brilliant author of the Declaration of Independence and one of America’s most influential thinkers. But behind his eloquent writings was a man who may have struggled with dyslexia.

Jefferson often reversed letters, had inconsistent spelling, and reportedly dealt with a lifelong stutter. He once wrote, “I am as much at a loss for words as I am for spelling them.” Despite these struggles, his ability to think conceptually and write with purpose helped shape the foundation of American democracy.

Jefferson’s story is a powerful reminder: when we support students who learn differently, we’re nurturing minds that could change the world.

How a Relentless Curiosity—and a Different Way of Learning—Sparked a Legacy of Innovation

Inventor. Publisher. Diplomat. Problem-solver. Benjamin Franklin wore many hats—and likely faced learning challenges we now recognize as dyslexia and dyscalculia. With little formal schooling, Franklin was largely self-taught, relying on books, hands-on experiments, and an insatiable curiosity to fuel his education.

Despite early academic struggles, Franklin’s legacy is one of innovation and impact. He helped shape the modern world through bold ideas and tireless problem-solving—developing the lightning rod, organizing the first public library, founding newspapers, and playing a key diplomatic role in American independence.

Franklin’s creative thinking, big-picture perspective, and determination are all traits commonly seen in people with dyslexia. He didn’t just adapt—he innovated. Franklin’s story reminds us that when unconventional learners are given the freedom to explore, they often light the way for others.

Strength Through Struggle
Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin achieved greatness without the benefit of modern dyslexia awareness, structured literacy programs, or individualized instruction. Yet through creativity, vision, and resilience, they helped shape a new nation—and change the course of history.

Their stories remind us that dyslexia is not a limitation. It’s a different way of thinking—one that, when recognized and supported, can become a powerful strength. Dyslexia doesn't hold people back; misunderstanding does.

This Independence Day, we honor not only the gift of freedom, but the extraordinary minds that made freedom possible—individuals who dared to think differently, lead boldly, and persevere with purpose.

How Charles Schwab Transformed Learning Challenges into Financial Innovation

Charles Schwab didn’t exactly breeze through school. He failed English (twice), struggled in foreign language classes, had difficulty taking notes, and found reading painfully difficult. By traditional academic standards, he was flunking the system. But Schwab wasn’t lacking intelligence—he just learned differently.

While classmates sailed through textbooks, Schwab leaned into big-picture thinking. He thrived in math and economics, subjects that rewarded conceptual understanding over memorization. He was a quick thinker, a people person, and resourceful enough to ask classmates for help with note-taking. Those weren’t just survival skills—they were early signs of an entrepreneur in the making.

In 1971, Schwab opened his first brokerage office with a radical idea: lower fees for consumers, pay salespeople by the hour (not commission), and give everyday people direct access to the stock market. In the 1970s, these ideas were considered financial heresy. But Schwab’s vision—clear, conceptual, and people-focused—revolutionized investing. He wasn’t just building a business; he was mainstreaming finance.

It wasn’t until the 1980s, when his young son was diagnosed with dyslexia, that Schwab finally understood his own lifelong learning challenges. He was in his 40s when the diagnosis brought clarity to struggles he had faced since childhood. Inspired by the experience, he and his wife launched a foundation to help other parents find the tools and support they need to advocate for their children.

Far from seeing dyslexia as a limitation, Schwab came to see it as a hidden strength. In a 2007 Wall Street Journal interview, he reflected, “I think it leads to better visualization capability, conceptual vision.” Though he still relies on audiobooks to tackle dense reading, he credits technology—and an ever-curious mindset—with helping him thrive.

Today, Charles Schwab is celebrated not just as a financial pioneer, but as a passionate advocate for recognizing and supporting learning differences. His story isn’t about overcoming a disability—it’s about harnessing a different kind of thinking to change an industry and inspire others to reimagine what's possible.

Barton Bulletin

Office Hours

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Closed weekends & holidays

Holiday Notice:
Our office will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday

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✨ Meet Our Amazing Support Staff ✨

Susan Barton — Founder

Susan is the founder of Bright Solutions for Dyslexia and the developer of the Barton Reading & Spelling System. Since launching Bright Solutions for Dyslexia in 1998, Susan has dedicated her career to raising awareness about dyslexia and equipping parents, educators, and other professionals with the tools they need to help struggling readers succeed.

Lisa Gusimat — Sr. Operations & Training Manager

Lisa joined Bright Solutions for Dyslexia in 2004 to coordinate Susan’s graduate-level summer seminars. Since then, her role has grown to include coordinating Tutor Certification sessions, managing the Digital Site License program, overseeing testimonial submissions, and writing our monthly dyslexia newsletter. Lisa is also the person to contact if you have a success story to share. Whether you're a proud parent or a tutor celebrating a student’s progress, she would love to hear from you. Your stories uplift and encourage others—and we’re always looking for inspiring testimonials to feature in our newsletter and on social media.

Beatriz Lujan — Sr. Accounting & Support Manager

Beatriz handles a wide range of tasks. Need a quote for a district-wide license? Have questions about an order or invoice? Beatriz will get you the answers you need—quickly and reliably.

Grants & Scholarships

If your school, district, or state offers a grant or scholarship program, please contact Beatriz with the details. She’ll gladly handle the application process to become an approved vendor. We’re always looking for new opportunities to make the Barton System available to more students.

Heather Schulz — Sr.Tutor Support Specialist

Heather is a Certified Barton Tutor at the Masters level, a dyslexia expert, and a former classroom teacher. With more than 22 years of experience using the Barton System, she brings deep knowledge and practical insight to every conversation. Her hands-on expertise and calm, compassionate approach make her a trusted guide through tutoring challenges. Whether offering practical strategies or heartfelt encouragement, Heather provides thoughtful support every step of the way. When you need tutoring advice, she’s the steady, experienced voice you can count on.

Trisha Wright — Sr.Tutor Support Specialist (part-time)

Trisha is a Certified Barton Tutor at the Masters level with over 20 years of experience using the Barton System. She knows the program inside and out—but what truly setsTrisha apart is the clarity, confidence, and calm she brings to every conversation. Whether you're tackling a tricky lesson or simply need reassurance, Trisha is the knowledgeable, dependable advisor you'll be glad to have in your corner.

Kayla Black — Morning Support Specialist

If you call in the morning, you’ll likely be greeted by Kayla’s warm and welcoming voice. Whether it’s accessing tutor training videos, navigating the Barton Tiles app, placing an order, or answering product questions—Kayla does it all with ease. Her versatility and cheerful personality make her an invaluable part of our team.

Cheryl Dover — Afternoon Tech Support Specialist

If you call in the afternoon, you’ll likely be greeted by Cheryl’s calm and reassuring voice. Tech-savvy and highly knowledgeable,Cheryl is your go-to for anything access-related—whether it’s training videos, digital products, or the Barton Tiles app. Thoughtful, solutions-focused, and always ready to help, Cheryl ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

Elena Ortiz — Sr. Order Fulfillment Specialist

Elena is the engine behind our seamless order processing machine. With exceptional attention to detail and a calm, can-do attitude, she ensures every order is accurate, timely, and complete. If anything needs clarification, Elena will proactively reach out—because setting customers up for success isn’t just her job, it’s her commitment.

Mishelle Lujan—Order Processing Specialist

Mishelle keeps orders flowing seamlessly with an eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy. Behind the scenes, Mishelle plays a key role in keeping things running smoothly—and her dedication helps set the tone for the reliable service our customers have come to expect.

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