Reading and writing are powerful experiences. They give children tools that open doors to possibilities for how they view themselves and what they hope to achieve. Yet, one in five of our nation’s students experience significant frustration with reading. Even with the best classroom instruction, some students simply need extra support.

In 2019, Cultivating Literacy was founded in the classrooms of San Jose, CA by Leigh Monistere, a kindergarten and classroom teacher. She saw that when children were discouraged by reading, it impacted how they viewed themselves emotionally as well as academically. Her goal was to develop ways that children could engage in play-based early literacy activities that supported their reading and their connections with their families.

To reinforce the connections between families and educators, in 2023 Cultivating Literacy launched a school partnership program to support multilingual families in San Jose’s Franklin McKinley School District. 

Since its founding, Cultivating Literacy has reached more than 400 families in Santa Clara County through its early reading and family literacy programs.

Our mission is to cultivate diverse family support systems through engaging in play-based learning activities to enhance students' reading confidence and family agency. Our approach focuses on:

• Incorporating strategies to support early literacy foundations 

• Making reading joyful

• Customizing learning for each child and recognizing their unique journey as a reader

• Supporting families in their child’s learning and cultivating family bonds

• Honoring families’ linguistic and cultural traditions

• Providing guidance and support throughout the process