Young girl in a yellow sweater and white headband reading with more confidence because of reading tutoring in St. Charles, MO, with a bookshelf and a dog in the background.
Illustration of educational symbols including ABC blocks, a graduation cap, a book, a pencil, a light bulb, a paper airplane, and a chalkboard, all drawn in a simple, line art style - graphic for Access the Word.
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Tutoring • Parent Coaching • Online Education • Presentations & Professional Trainings

Dyslexia Therapy & Academic Tutoring in the St. Charles, MO Area

Certified Orton-Gillingham Tutor, Certified Dyslexia Interventionist, & Certified Academic Language Therapist

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Mission

Access to the written word changes lives, and it is my mission to help as many children as I can reach to become skilled readers and writers.

Specialties

Dyslexia • Reading • Writing • Academic Tutoring • Coaching & Education for Parents & Teachers • Literacy & Learning Presentations & Trainings

Personalized Solutions

Whether your child has dyslexia, a learning disorder, or is simply struggling with reading, spelling, or writing, I offer individualized services to support you and your child.

A mother and daughter both with brown hair sitting on a couch. The mother participated in an online parent training course to help her child with reading. There are potted plants on the windowsill nearby.

Welcome to Access the Word

At Access the Word, I provide parent coaching, presentations and professional development, and individualized tutoring for children who have dyslexia or who have difficulty in areas of literacy.

I combine practical tools with my advanced certifications and experience to offer personalized tutoring and coaching services to meet your unique needs and goals.

Whether you're a parent looking for help for your child or a teacher seeking guidance, you'll find trusted expertise and a warm, collaborative approach.

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Services for Children, Parents, & Educators

Providing hope and help for children who struggle with reading and writing and for the adults who care for them through tutoring, dyslexia therapy, coaching, & professional development.

Personalized Tutoring for Reading, Writing, & Spelling

Educational Tutoring

Tutoring focused on the literacy skills and concepts your child is working on at school, using a flexible, individualized approach.

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Tutoring for Dyslexia & Language-Based Learning Disorders

Dyslexia Therapy

Intensive tutoring services for children with Dyslexia and language-based learning disorders using structured literacy instruction grounded in Orton-Gillingham methods.

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For Parents & Educators

Coaching & Consulting

Offering personalized support and practical strategies for helping children with literacy challenges and diverse learning needs thrive in the classroom or at home.

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For Parents & Educators

Self-Paced Online Courses

Equipping parents and educators with clear, practical knowledge about dyslexia and literacy that they can use to support children more effectively.

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For Schools & Organizations

Presentations & Professional Training

Offering practical, research-based training for educators and staff on literacy instruction, dyslexia, and supporting diverse learners.

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For Parents & Educators

The Fishbowl

A free video library showing multisensory structured literacy instruction in action. Designed for parents and educators looking for practical ways to support struggling readers at home or in the classroom.

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Meet Your Tutor, Coach, & Literacy Educator

Suzanne Knoelk, M.S., Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Interventionist, CALT, and founder of Access the Word in St. Charles, MO
A light blue outline drawing of a pencil with a thread that loops from the tip, forming a loose knot - graphic for Access the Word.

Welcome! I’m Suzanne.

Suzanne Knoelk, M.S., Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Interventionist, CALT

I’m a Certified Academic Language Therapist, Certified Orton-Gillingham Tutor, Certified Dyslexia Interventionist, and educator. I bring over 20 years of experience supporting students as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, University Adjunct Professor, course developer, and now as a private tutor with Access the Word. My mission is simple: help more children learn to read and write with confidence, and support the adults who care for them along the way

Early in my teaching career, I saw bright, hardworking students struggle with literacy, no matter how much effort they gave. I watched their self-esteem suffer and felt the heartbreak parents shared when they didn’t know how to help. That pushed me to find better answers and more effective tools.

Through training at the Children’s Dyslexia Center and years of ongoing learning, I discovered how structured, multi-sensory instruction could finally unlock reading for my students. I’ve seen firsthand how literacy changes lives, and I’m here to make that change accessible to more families and educators.

I believe strong relationships are the foundation of learning. I take time to listen, ask meaningful questions, and build trust with every student and family. My approach is respectful, collaborative, and personalized to each learner’s strengths and needs. Whether I’m working with a child, parent, or educator, my goal is always to empower and equip others with the tools that truly make a difference.

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  • "...my reading, spelling, and comprehension improved greatly."

    "I started meeting with Ms. Knoelk when I was 10 years old, and in a short time, my reading, spelling, and comprehension improved greatly. Not only was she there for me academically, but she also understood how frustrating it can be for kids who struggle with dyslexia, like me."

    ~ Kate S.

  • "...Suzanne made learning fun for those kids who usually became discouraged..."

    "I found she was always eager to dig into issues of student reading difficulties to try to best reach each of her student’s problems and try to correct what was impacting their reading. Her students loved coming to their group each time as Suzanne made learning fun for those kids who usually became discouraged with how hard of a job reading was for them."

    ~ Sue R.

  • "...she is an exemplary teacher and leader..."

    "Sue proved herself to be knowledgeable, open, and easy to work with. As an educator for twenty years myself, I can tell you she is an exemplary teacher and leader who will go above and beyond for her students and colleagues."

    ~ Jen T.

  • "She displays warmth and compassion for her diverse students..."

    "Ms. Knoelk is a natural leader and a gifted instructor in her pedagogy, attitude, and actions. There is never an end to what she’ll do in the name of learning. She displays warmth and compassion for her diverse students and is level-headed, service-oriented, reflective, and holds herself accountable in her decision making."

    ~ Amy S.

  • "...your support means more than I can explain."

    "From a parent of a dyslexic child, your support means more than I can explain. Our kids deserve to know they are not dumb or slow or lazy. Their brains may work a bit different, but they can do it. They just have to keep trying. Again, thank you."

    ~ Rachael B.

  • "She is a reading whisperer."

    "R. has completely blossomed with her in navigating his dyslexia. His confidence and ability have grown so much. I cannot give enough testimony about how amazing she is. R. hates having to spend extra time tutoring but loves working with her and always leaves smiling. She is a reading whisperer."

    ~ Kristen R.

Welcome to the Fishbowl

Light blue line drawing on black background featuring a jar with ABC letters, a paper airplane, a light bulb, and a pencil - graphic for Access the Word.

This is a place where you and your child can watch short video lessons and see how I teach in real time. Just like peeking into a fishbowl, you get a clear view of the multi-sensory techniques I use and how I support and encourage students during instruction.

If you have a question after watching, check the YouTube comments for helpful information.

Still wondering about something? Visit my Facebook page and post your question there or send me an email, and I'll answer as quickly as possible.

Multi-Sensory Sight Word Practice

Simultaneous Oral Spelling: Multi-Sensory Structured Language Teaching Strategy

Orton-Gillingham lesson: Multi-Sensory
Teaching Strategies, Part 1

Orton-Gillingham lesson:  Multi-Sensory Teaching Strategies, Part 2

Orton-Gillingham lesson: Phonogram and Blending Drill, Multi-Sensory Structured Language Teaching

Orton Gillingham lesson: Sentence Dictation,
Multi-Sensory Structured Language Teaching