Community Highlights: Meet Kathryn Starke of Creative Minds Publications

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Starke.

Hi Kathryn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a former inner-city elementary school teacher and a reading specialist from Richmond, Virginia. In 2006, my first children’s book, Amy’s Travels, was selected as a recommended multicultural children’s book by the California Department of Education. In 2007, I started traveling back and forth to support elementary schools between Virginia and California through my children’s book and literacy consulting company, Creative Minds Publications. Since then, I have provided literacy seminars for schools and teachers in the Los Angeles area.

I am also the creator of Tackle Reading, an annual philanthropic educational event supported by the NFL to promote a love of literacy with a passion for football. Our annual literacy initiative, supported by the Rams and Chargers, was recently featured in LA Parents Magazine. This February 2022 leading up to the Super Bowl in LA, I was able to host an in-person Tackle Reading event with the LA Legends of the Women’s National Football Conference and a virtual event with notable NFL alumni in Long Beach. My most recent book, A Touchdown in Reading: An Educator’s Guide to Literacy Instruction is part of book clubs and professional development for teachers and schools across the state.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, but it has been a valuable learning experience. My company turns 17 this fall and continues to increase its impact on literacy education across the country and around the world. When I first started in publishing, I had to prove how a children’s book from a small, independent press would be valuable in classrooms around the globe. It is the first children’s picture book to teach all seven continents and is used in classrooms in over 26 countries on 6 continents.

When I started consulting, I had to prove the value of my work through positive data, testimonials, and my results. People can’t argue with strong data and good results. I continue to overcome obstacles and challenges put on my path as I push forward to help schools across the country, especially in California, achieve reading success.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Our company was originally founded to publish engaging and educational books with a mission to motivate, support, and inspire children, parents, and teachers to love literacy. We have published children’s travel books for families and educational books for teachers. We have also helped over 150 failing elementary schools around the country achieve reading success through personalized in-person and virtual consulting as well as professional development opportunities.

I think what sets us apart in the education space is that I am in elementary schools on a weekly basis to stay aware and abreast of current teaching practices and student performance. We offer all of our books in bulk rates for schools, organizations, and homeschool communities and create personalized literacy services unique to each of our clients. As far as our brand is concerned, I love that we have created a greater impact in education through our football-themed books, Tackle Reading and A Touchdown in Reading, and our upcoming 7th annual Tackle Reading event with the NFL.

What does success mean to you?
Success to me is defined when we help students become readers, teachers become confident and competent in the teaching of reading, and schools achieve literacy success.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://creativemindspublications.com/
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kathrynstarke
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/creativemindspublications
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/kathrynstarke
• Other: https://kathrynstarke.wordpress.com/the-starke-school/