Meet Cassie Carter

We were lucky to catch up with Cassie Carter recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cassie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I think for a long time, I rebelled against what God made me to be, a teacher. I’ve always believed that teaching is a true gift, and one that’s often undervalued. As a child, I watched my dad turn learning into something fun. I watched kids light up around him and saw the lasting impact he made, not just on his students but on their families too. To this day, many of them still talk about how much he influenced their lives.

That being said, like many kids, I wanted to find my own path. I didn’t want to just follow in my dad’s footsteps, even though deep down I knew that teaching was in my blood. Eventually, I switched my major in college and after 4½ years, I earned my teaching degree. But even then, I hesitated. Honestly, it was a confidence thing. The thought of being responsible for an entire classroom felt huge, and I didn’t feel ready.

So instead, I became the children’s programming director at a local health club. By the grace of God, I met my husband during that time. He started attending church with me, the same church where a local principal played the piano, who, by coincidence, had once been my husband’s teacher. That introduction opened the door to my first teaching job, and a year later I was teaching first grade.

I spent nine years in that district before moving to another school, and that’s when everything started to shift. Without my old team to lean on, I had to truly find my voice as an educator. I stayed with my first class in that new district for both first and second grade, and it was then that I really saw how long it takes for many children to learn to read, and how deeply intentional and explicit that instruction needs to be.

My third year there, I was given a new group of second graders. I knew those kids needed more than one year of phonics instruction to catch up, but I also knew they’d be moving on to third grade without it. That’s when the first seeds of Letters 2 Literacy were planted. Initially, it was going to be an after-school program so I could keep teaching those students and fill the gaps I knew were still there. But God had bigger plans.

Looking back now, I can see His hand in all of it. My purpose wasn’t something I discovered on my own, it was something God made sure I couldn’t ignore. He showed me again and again where I was meant to be, until I finally listened.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m the Founder and Executive Director of Letters 2 Literacy, a nonprofit learning center based in Batavia, Ohio. We focus on helping children who struggle with reading, writing, language, and comprehension through structured literacy instruction that follows the Science of Reading and Orton-Gillingham methods. What makes us different is that we remove the financial barrier, if a child needs help, we make sure they get it, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

What I love most about our work is that it’s more than tutoring, it’s about restoring confidence and rebuilding hope. We get to watch children who once felt defeated light up when they realize they can read. We see families who used to cry with worry start to breathe again. That transformation never gets old, and it’s what keeps us moving forward every day.

Professionally, my focus right now is on sustainability and growth. We’ve just moved into our new, larger location, which gives us the space to serve more families and expand our programs. We also recently launched phonics-based library kits across local libraries so parents can check out fun, skill-based activities that reinforce what their children are learning. It’s another way to make literacy accessible to every family in our community.

Every part of this work is a reflection of faith, purpose, and community. What started as a dream to keep a handful of kids reading has turned into a movement that now serves more than 200 students every week, and we’re still growing. Letters 2 Literacy is proof that when you follow the calling God puts on your heart, He’ll take it further than you could ever imagine.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three things that have had the biggest impact on my journey are faith, perseverance, and relationships.

Faith has been at the core of every step I’ve taken. There were so many moments where I didn’t have the answers or the resources, when I was scared to take the next step or unsure if it would even work. But I’ve learned that if God puts something on your heart, He’ll equip you for it. My advice for anyone early in their journey is to trust that still, quiet voice inside you. You don’t have to have it all figured out, you just have to take the next faithful step.

Perseverance has also been huge. Starting a nonprofit wasn’t easy, there were days we questioned if we could really do it. But every challenge refined me and made me stronger. I’ve learned that passion isn’t enough; you have to be willing to do the hard, unglamorous work and keep showing up even when no one’s watching. My advice? Don’t expect things to happen overnight. Stay consistent. Your persistence will open doors that talent alone won’t.

And finally, relationships, both personal and professional, have been everything. Letters 2 Literacy exists because of the people who believed in the mission right alongside me: my family, my team, our board, and our community. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, speak truth to you, and share your heart for the work. You can’t do it alone, and you’re not meant to.

At the end of the day, success isn’t just about what you build, it’s about who you become while building it.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

There have been so many people who have played a vital role in helping me overcome challenges and build the skills I needed to grow both personally and professionally. Letters 2 Literacy truly exists because of a community of people who believed in the mission as much as I did.

Our donors have made everything we do possible. Without their generosity and trust, we simply wouldn’t exist. They’ve allowed us to remove financial barriers for families and reach hundreds of children who might otherwise never have had access to the support they need.

My original teaching team also shaped me into the educator I am today. Those years in the classroom with them taught me more about teaching, teamwork, and perseverance than any degree ever could. And then there’s Ashleigh Huber, what started as a friendship quickly grew into something so much more. She’s my teaching partner, my co-founder, and one of my dearest friends. Her creativity, patience, and knowledge have helped make Letters 2 Literacy what it is today. I can say with absolute certainty that we wouldn’t be serving as many children or families without her.

I also have to thank my husband, who (after first thinking I was a little crazy!) supported me wholeheartedly when I decided to leave the classroom to follow this calling. His encouragement and belief in me have made all the difference. And my parents, who have been incredible, always helping with our kids and stepping in whenever I needed to pour more time and energy into growing the organization.

I thank God every single day for connecting the dots, for placing the right people in my life at exactly the right times. Letters 2 Literacy isn’t just the result of hard work; it’s the result of faith, friendship, and an incredible support system that continues to help this dream grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.letters2literacy.info
• Instagram: letters_2_literacy
• Facebook: letters2literacy