The Connection
Jeff Knauss became involved in literacy advocacy through his own life experience. Adopted at three months old from South Korea and raised by parents who worked multiple jobs in rural upstate New York, Jeff grew up with a firsthand understanding that opportunity isn’t evenly distributed and that education can help rewrite a story that started in a hard place.
His mother worked three jobs to get him into a private school from kindergarten through sixth grade. That access, Jeff says, changed his entire trajectory:
“I think about that all the time. So many people are born into situations they had no control over, and they never even get to the first rung on the ladder. It’s not that they aren’t smart or willing to work hard. They just never get the opportunity. Literacy is that first rung.”
Today, Jeff and his wife, Heta, lead the Knauss Family Foundation with one clear mission: to break the cycle of generational poverty for as many people as possible in their lifetimes. When they found The Reading League, the connection was immediate. You can’t talk about education, career development, or opportunity without first asking whether someone can read.
What Drew Jeff to TRL
Jeff wanted to support an organization that makes a real impact.
“What I appreciate about The Reading League is that they’re focused on what actually works. There’s a lot of noise in education, a lot of programs that sound good but don’t move the needle. TRL is grounded in the science. They’re not just raising awareness; they’re changing how teachers teach reading. That’s the kind of work that scales.”
A recent visit to his own high school in Midlakes, New York, brought it full circle. Sitting in the same classrooms where he’d once had no idea what was possible for someone like him, he saw students in the same position. The difference, for Jeff, had been access — to education, to mentors, and second chances. Literacy, he believes, is how we build that access for every child, regardless of where they were born or where they grow up.
Looking Ahead
Jeff’s vision for the future is measured in kids who believe that what they want out of life is actually possible. And as artificial intelligence and technology reshape the way we learn and work, he sees literacy as the most important investment we can make.
“All the technology in the world won’t help a child who doesn’t have foundational literacy skills. The gap between those who can access opportunity and those who can’t is going to widen if we don’t invest in the basics.”
We’re grateful to have Jeff, Heta, and Arcovo AI as partners in this work. Their belief in equity, opportunity, and the power of getting the basics right is exactly the kind of support that helps us reach more teachers, classrooms, and students.
Your stories help bring our mission to life. If you’d like to share how The Reading League has supported your work, students, or community, we’d love to hear from you.
Stay with us all month. Each week in June, we’re celebrating a partner who makes our mission possible. Next week: Meet Stephanie, a reading specialist, chapter leader, and parent who brings both her expertise and her heart to this work every day.
