Our Mission
Sharing the Joy and Power of Literacy
We are a group of reading specialists, teachers, tutors, and parents committed to increasing literacy achievement by providing ideas, strategies, materials, and a positive community where everyone can become a Literacy Leader.
Everyone has their own literacy story. Your literacy story is your lifelong relationship with reading and writing. As the founding Literacy Leader at K3, my literacy story started 50 years ago when I discovered the power of reading and writing. I grew up in Nevada reading everything I could find including Mad Magazine, the picture book Rich Cat Poor Cat, the backs of cereal boxes, and 1972 Official National Football League Record Manual. Reading offered a window into other worlds and a welcome escape from a childhood marked by poverty, food insecurity, addiction, family trauma, and homelessness. I realized the immense power of writing when, at age 16, I was granted legal emancipation based on the words I wrote and spoke that day in court. It was first of many "persuasive essays" I would write to propel me through high school, college, and my career.
After earning my bachelor’s degree in Dramatic Literature and Sociology from U.C. San Diego, I earned my teaching credential and taught reading in Title I schools. A few years later I moved to Oregon and earned my Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction. While serving as a elementary teacher and reading intervention specialist, I founded LitART Camps, an innovative summer program that combined literature, art, drama, fun, and learning. Since that first summer serving 60 kids, LitART has grown into the "go to" literacy curriculum for after school, summer, and Title I programs. By focusing on providing easy-to-use curriculum and hands-on training to school and community program staff, we helped build a sustainable extended learning model that reduced staff turnover, built a love of literacy, and increased student achievement.
I have worked hard to achieve a simple mission: create literacy learning experiences and products that engage students, inspire teachers, and help parents. I work closely with a team of educators to design and refine each new product. Along the way, I co-raised three amazing children and figured out that human interaction beats video games every time. I hope you find what we create fosters human connections, shared experiences, and positive relationships. After all, learning together is one of the most human things people do.
With Kindness,
Paul Ahrens, Founder & CEO
