Frequently Asked Questions
What programs do you use?
I use the Barton Reading and Spelling System for students who struggle with reading and/or spelling, Foundation in Sounds for those students who need to start with more work on auditory memory and discrimination, and various supplemental resources as needed. Please see the resource section for more information about these programs.
What are your credentials?
I am a trained and certified Barton tutor. I have also completed Susan Barton's Screening for Dyslexia graduate level course. Susan requires her course graduates to gain experience and then personally evaluates their screening reports before recommending them on her list of screeners.
Tell me more about your education and experience.
I received my B.A. from Stanford University, majoring in Human Biology, focusing on child development, and after several years of teaching preschool went on to complete the Bilingual Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential program at San Francisco State University. I taught in the San Francisco Unified School District for 7 years before retiring to homeschool my own children, teach private classes and tutor.
How often do you meet with students, and for how long?
In order for this type of tutoring to be successful, I must meet with students at least twice a week, for 50 minute sessions. For younger students with shorter attention spans, it is also possible to meet more often, for shorter periods of time, but the total time per week must equal at least 100 minutes.
Students with more severe dyslexia, or who wish to make more rapid progress, may benefit from more frequent tutoring sessions.
Who can benefit from the Barton program?
Students who struggle with spelling, and/or the ability to sound out unknown words will benefit from the Barton System. Those who can already read rapidly and accurately, spell well, and only have trouble with comprehension would not need this program.
Barton students must be at least 5 years old and in Kindergarten. They must be able to speak and comprehend spoken English at a second grade level, and have an IQ of 70 or higher. They must be able to pass the short Barton Student Screening, available on the BartonReading.com website or by appointment (free of charge).
If the student does not pass the Barton Screening, but meets the other requirements, I can still work with them, but would need to address additional skills.
If you are unsure if your student is a good candidate, please contact me to discuss his or her needs.
How do you schedule students?
During the school year, students have regular appointments scheduled at the same time each week. Before the beginning of the month, they may cancel or reschedule any appointments that occur during family vacations or other unavoidable conflicts. Please see my policy documents for complete details.
During the summer, I will release a schedule with available appointment times, and parents may schedule their appointments according to their availability. I encourage students to increase the frequency of tutoring whenever possible during the summer months, as they often make rapid progress without the additional pressure of school.
Have More Questions?
If you have other questions about Chabra Tutoring Services, or wish to contact me regarding any of the professional services I provide, please feel free to send me an email at michellechabra@stanfordalumni.org, or give me a call at (650) 271-3963. I look forward to speaking with you.