Even though it’s still wintertime, a new season of growth is upon us: the Spring semester of READ USA Literacy Tutoring resumed this week!
At 14 Duval County Public Elementary Schools this week, hundreds of elementary students eagerly returned to their daily, one-to-one literacy lessons with their teen tutors or AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders.
And when we say “eagerly,” we are telling the truth! Our teens and students stay with each other for up to a year, and while their focus is literacy tutoring, they build close bonds with each other—so much so that there are indeed tears at the end of every school year!
More importantly, our elementary students know they are learning and growing their skills:
“I really need to learn how to read,” and “I know I can do this!” are statements that our teachers hear from students…
“The continuity of lessons from semester to semester is so important, particularly for the students who are furthest behind,” our Chief Programs Officer Tabetha Cox has shared before. “The lessons are rigorous and follow an evidence-based curriculum that is designed to ‘catch them up’ to grade-level reading proficiency and the goals we set for each student.”
She continued, “Furthermore, from what we have seen, the peer-level bonds that our teens and students form magnify the curriculum’s impact, because lessons are being delivered through trusted relationships.”
We can’t wait to see all the growth that our students—and our teens, who reap benefits, too!—achieve this semester!
If you would like to learn more about READ USA Literacy Tutoring and how you can support this life-changing growth, contact joe@readusainc.com.
AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders Demonstrate a Legacy of Service
This past weekend, our nation celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who once shared, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. ... You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
“Service is how READ USA was founded nearly 15 years ago, and it has remained a central part of our DNA,” shared our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly. “Our teachers and teens all demonstrate service and love for humanity through every lesson, every training, and every interaction they have with the elementary students we serve. It’s incredible to witness Dr. King’s ethos of service every day at READ USA.”
It was in honor of Dr. King’s legacy of service that our AmeriCorps Team Leaders volunteered at the 39th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast this past Friday, which members of our team had the privilege to attend as well.
Team READ USA is grateful for the opportunity to join hundreds (if not thousands!) of fellow Jacksonvillians who came together for a morning of inspiration and community at the annual breakfast, a gathering that we look forward to every year.
“The MLK Breakfast is always an incredibly uplifting experience,” added Dr. Kelly. “It re-grounds us all in the values that Dr. King embodied and peacefully fought for—values that we seek to uphold every day at READ USA.”
Thank you to the City of Jacksonville, Florida Blue, VyStar Credit Union, and all the sponsors and partners who made this year’s event possible, and congratulations to all of the Tomorrow’s Leaders honorees from Biscayne Elementary, Westview K-8, and Westside High School for their poetry and visual arts submissions!
#FastFact Wednesday: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Did you know that January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day?
Recognized by the United Nations in 2005, International Holocaust Remembrance Day honors the more than six million Jewish people and millions of other victims who were murdered during the Holocaust. The date marks the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in 1945—81 years ago this year.
Beyond remembrance, this day is especially relevant today: modern technology can spread misinformation of any kind more rapidly and deeply than ever before. Remembering the Holocaust helps ensure that the lessons of history are not forgotten and reinforces the importance of standing up for truth and human dignity.
At READ USA, education is at the heart of everything we do. Literacy and learning empower individuals to think critically, understand different perspectives, and challenge harmful narratives. By remembering the Holocaust, we affirm the role education plays in building a more informed, compassionate society.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day serves as a reminder to learn, reflect, and consider how knowledge and understanding create a better future for all of humankind.
Children’s Book: Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You by Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by James E. Ransome
Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You is an inspiring book that connects the life and lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the everyday actions of children today. Through simple, powerful language, Carole Boston Weatherford encourages young readers to “be a king” in their own lives by showing kindness and treating others with respect.
The book alternates between scenes from Dr. King’s life and scenes of modern-day children demonstrating the same values in their schools and communities. Each page delivers an encouraging message, such as “Be a King in how you give.” These repeated phrases help students understand that leadership isn’t just about history; it’s about choices they can make every day.
The illustrations by James Ransome are vibrant and expressive, showing both historical events and contemporary classrooms. Together, the text and images remind readers that Dr. King’s dream is still alive—and that they have the power to carry it forward through courage, fairness, empathy, and cooperation.
Be a King is a motivational, accessible book that invites children to see themselves as leaders who can make positive change in their world.
Submitted by Melanie Poag, READ USA Content Assistant
Parent Education Corner: Helping Kids at Home
Here are simple, practical ways parents can be involved with their kids at home and support learning, emotional growth, and connection:
🏡 Daily Connection
📚 Learning Support
💬 Emotional & Social Support
🧠 Values & Life Skills
🏃 Physical Activity
Submitted by Melanie Poag, READ USA Content Assistant