Meet the Founder

Maqueda Cozart | Founder and Lead Tutor

“Literacy is the gift we give children to help them understand the world and imagine a better one."

My Story

Literacy doesn’t live in one subject. When a student can’t decode a math word problem, the numbers don’t matter. When they can’t organize their thoughts, the history report falls apart. When complex science terms feel like a foreign language, the concepts stay out of reach. Reading and writing are the backbone of every subject, and when students struggle with literacy, they struggle everywhere.

That’s why closing the literacy gap changes everything.

I have always had a love of English Language Arts. Putting words together to create vivid imagery. Conducting research on complex topics and organizing ideas into structured, well-crafted essays. Getting lost in chapter books, following characters along their journeys, and resonating with their deepest thoughts and emotions.

Reading and writing weren’t just subjects to me; they were how I made sense of the world.

That love followed me into the classroom. As a certified teacher, I watched bright, capable kids fall behind, not because they weren’t smart, but because they lacked the skills to become confident readers and writers.

I founded A Plus Literacy to help students build the skills and confidence they need in and beyond the classroom.

- Rutgers University — B.A. in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude
- Northern Arizona University — M.Ed. in Elementary Education, Reading K-8 Specialization
- Arizona Certified Educator, Grades K-8
- Classroom experience teaching 4th and 8th grade ELA
- Advanced training in structured literacy and evidence-based reading instruction
Our approach is rooted in psychology and the Science of Reading. We understand how students learn, develop, and grow as readers and writers. We use structured literacy instruction to follow the natural progression of each student’s abilities and close learning gaps effectively. Beyond the method, we build genuine rapport with every student, nurture their confidence from the inside out, spark creativity through language and storytelling, and develop the analytical thinking skills that will carry them through every subject.
We support students in grades 3–8 who need help building confidence and improving their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, especially those who:
- Struggle with reading fluently and comprehending texts
- Are below grade level or not meeting testing benchmarks
- Have limited vocabulary that impacts learning and communication
- Have difficulty clearly expressing their ideas in writing and speaking