Meet the team!
While we serve families from Dubai to Ontario, we are all located in Northern California.
Meet Mohini
LITERACY SPECIALIST AND FOUNDER
Reading and writing made my creativity run wild as a child! Knowing how to read and write well has made me a lifelong learner who believes that life is full of opportunities and possibilities! I want that for your kids.
I hold a Master’s degree in Elementary Teaching (American University in Dubai) and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (Santa Clara University). I have eight years of teaching experience as both an elementary classroom teacher and small group interventionist. I wrote my master’s thesis about nurturing a sense of belonging in multicultural classrooms. Throughout my career I’ve worked closely with students with learning difficulties. I’m always thinking of creative ways to support both neurotypical and neurodivergent learners.
You can also see Mohini on…
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Making Reading Magical: Tips for Engaging Kids and Help for Struggling Readers
Canva Rebel Magazine
Article: Meet Mohini Pollock
Mind by Design Podcast
From Classroom Teacher to Literacy Entrepreneur Turing Passion into Impact with Mohini Pollock
The origin story
Mohini founded Literacy Playground in 2022. She’d been an educator for seven years, and was lucky enough to teach in incredible places like Dubai, Taipei, and San Jose! But something was missing.
She couldn’t figure out the best way to apply ALL of the new techniques and innovative learning methods she’d absorbed while earning her Master’s of Elementary Teaching.
During her last classroom teaching experience in 2021, she taught third grade. There were a number of students – both with and without learning difficulties – in her classroom struggling with basic reading and writing skills.
Honestly, she couldn’t support them to the extent they needed—there just wasn’t enough time built into the curriculum.
Her heart broke for those students.
Literacy Playground is exactly what her students needed when she was a classroom teacher: a simple, engaging (screen-free!) system for supporting kids with reading and writing.
In 2024, Mohini met Katherine, also a former classroom teacher and new mom, and naturally they had a LOT to chat about right away. Katherine became a teacher because she was determined to make sure her students never felt the same dread she did, as a child, who struggled to read aloud.
She created digital downloads for teachers, and in that moment Mohini knew Katherine was the perfect teammate to help her build Literacy Playground! She had a passion for elementary teaching, and she had a solution for both children and parents.
Katherine’s reminder for students? "Mistakes mean your brain is growing!"
This positive approach is at the heart of what Katherine and Mohini do at Literacy Playground the goal is to help children build a positive and joyful relationship with reading and writing, no matter their starting point! Katherine and Mohini believe that, as parents, you know your child best, and we're excited to partner with you to help your kids make steady progress.
Meet Katherine
COMMUNITY MANAGER
I have seven years of teaching experience across 1st, 3rd, and 4th grades and hold a Master's degree in Education with a specialization in best teaching practices.
My passion for literacy grew while teaching 1st grade, where I was able to support the journey of beginning readers. It is such a joy watching children have that "ah ha" moment when everything clicks for them! My goal is to inspire all children to see themselves as readers and writers.
I love spending time with my husband and our one-year-old daughter. We love traveling and trying new coffee shops!
Fun Fact: All of my family is from New Orleans, but I’m the only one who was born in California!
Meet Kiele
SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERT
Kiele is a Bay Area native and a proud graduate of the University of Arizona, Class of 2023. In 2024, she founded KKP Social Media as a creative outlet to help brands elevate their social media presence and marketing strategies.
Towards the end of 2024, Kiele joined Literacy Playground, inspired by her passion for supporting children and fostering creativity. As the eldest of six siblings, Kiele has always had a natural connection with children, which is reflected in her work. With her background in teaching engineering and coding to kids, she finds joy in contributing to a brand that empowers and educates the next generation.
ENTER YOUR TEACHER MOM (OR DAD) ERA
How to Work With Us
Foundations (Ages 4-5)
Teach Your Kids to Read
Foundations by Literacy Playground is the roadmap for teaching kids to read and write. Parents use movement, tactile materials and engaging books to teach their kids. In just 15 minutes a day, parents lay the foundation for a lifelong love for learning!
Rise (Ages 6-10)
Raise Confident Readers & Writers
Rise by Literacy Playground helps parents address gaps in their child’s learning. We create a customized, open and go reading and writing program that parents implement in just 15 minutes a day. We help children rise above expectations that have previously been set for them.
Workshops
For Schools and Organizations
Literacy Playground Workshops are designed to be interactive workshops that are tailored to fit the needs of your school or organization. Book a call to learn more.
The Literacy Playground Podcast
Welcome to The Literacy Playground Podcast, the podcast dedicated to empowering parents of brand-new readers and writers, as well as those nurturing reluctant or struggling young learners.