The Spring semester of READ USA Literacy Tutoring has officially come to a close, and Team READ USA took the opportunity to celebrate with our elementary students, teen tutors, and teachers!
The READ USA “Prize Patrol” – a.k.a., our CEO Dr. Rob Kelly and Chief Programs Officer Tabetha Cox – hit the road to recognize and reward elementary students in Literacy Tutoring. Any student who met the following criteria were entered into a drawing to win one of two free bikes, thanks to the generosity of a private donor:
While literacy growth is the hallmark – and expectation – of elementary students’ participation in Literacy Tutoring, the attendance condition was also intentional.
Just like in school, consistent student attendance is vital to students maximizing their growth in READ USA Literacy Tutoring. As a partner in the City of Jacksonville’s and Duval County Public Schools’ “Show Up To Shine” initiative, we used the last month of Literacy Tutoring as an opportunity to further encourage and reward students who consistently do exactly that: show up to shine!
And let us just say: WOW, did our READ USA students shine this year! While we only had two free bikes to give away, so many students were truly deserving of this reward based on all that they accomplished!
One winning student at Beauclerc Elementary grew the equivalent of 2.4 years in reading proficiency during the fall and spring semesters, while another winning student at Twin Lakes Academy Elementary experienced 1.6 years of growth in reading proficiency!
Ask any teacher and they will say this is fantastic, accelerated progress, and these are just two of many examples of how consistency in attendance yields consistency in growth, both in school and in Literacy Tutoring.
The READ USA Prize Patrol also used this opportunity to encourage our teen tutors to have some end-of-year fun with their students. We created un-traditional superlative certificates that tutors could award to their students, such as “Perfect Penmanship” and “Fountain of Knowledge,” giving every Literacy Tutoring student the chance to receive something special to celebrate their accomplishments.
We have more results to share in the coming weeks from the 2024-2025 school year of Literacy Tutoring, so stay tuned for more shortly!
Congratulations to all of our students for a job well done during the past 9 months, and particularly to the students who really shined brightly!
READ USA Book Fairs Reach Even More Students
You read that right: our Book Fairs have now reached even more students, thanks to the generosity of two exceptional sponsors!
Last week, Team READ USA hosted two additional Book Fairs, one in Atlantic Beach and another in Ft. Lauderdale.
The PGA Tour sponsored the READ USA Book Fair at Anchor Academy last week, providing all students with two free books each. But the excitement didn’t stop there: students also got to participate in an assembly with Melissa Wright, Director of Community Relations and Partnerships from STEM2 Hub. Melissa is also the co-author of a wonderful children’s book series called Koding Kids, which is intended to help students explore key concepts of coding and computational careers early in life. Fourth graders specifically participated in a book presentation with Melissa, and each of them also received a free Koding Kids book!
Fun fact: Anchor Academy, located close to Mayport Naval Station, has a large population of students from local military families, and approximately 25% of their students are ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages).
Thank you to the PGA Tour and to our wonderful volunteers for making the READ USA Book Fair at Anchor Academy possible!
This is the second year that READ USA has hosted a Book Fair at Morrow Elementary School, located in Ft. Lauderdale, where every student received two free books each. It’s one of the larger schools that we serve with our Book Fairs, so we are immensely grateful to The Federal Bar Association Broward Chapter for not only sponsoring but also bringing together Association members from across South Florida to volunteer!
“Morrow Elementary is unique in that they have a large VPK and PreK population of students, as well as very young children with special needs,” shared Tabetha Cox, our Chief Programs Officer. “So, it was a lot of hands-on support from our volunteers to help these young students choose their books – and every volunteer was so patient, helpful, and kind. We know it made a lasting impression on these students!”
The Morrow Elementary team made the whole day fun and exciting surrounding the Book Fair, with several special surprises for both the students and volunteers.
Students from Morrow Elementary’s 5th-grade drum line performed during the day, and Judge Lauren F. Louis, Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, did several read-alouds to first-grade classes. But she didn’t stop at reading: she also took the opportunity to educate students about the legal process, careers in the legal field, and what it takes to become a judge.
“Judge Louis was fantastic,” added Tabetha. “She communicated complicated topics to elementary students in ways that they could understand and relate to. She did a Q&A with the students as well, answering their questions with honesty and appropriateness – and we all know the wide variety of questions that young children sometimes ask!”
She continued, “Overall, the day was such an immersive experience for students in connecting books and the importance of reading to real-life aspirations and situations. For example, during the drum line, the teacher relayed how everything you do in life involves reading – including reading music. So many students have dreams of being a musician, a doctor, a singer, or whatever interests them most at this age, so to have to this message reinforced by adults and volunteers – people who are not their daily teachers – is so impactful.”
Team READ USA is thankful to the Federal Bar Association Broward Chapter for committing treasure and talent to create a memorable and impactful experience for the students of Morrow Elementary! Our particular gratitude goes to the Federal Bar Association Broward Chapter volunteers and local attorneys, and to Darren Spielman, current President of the Board for the Federal Bar Association Broward Chapter, for leading this effort on the Association’s behalf.
READ USA Shares Expertise: “Preparing Gen Z for Workforce Success”
Our very own Chief Operating Officer Holden Scyster, who also oversees all of our program data and reporting management, traveled to Columbus, Ohio last week to share READ USA’s experience in preparing the next generation to enter the workforce.
Holden is on the right with his fellow panelists.
At the “Connections 2025: AI and the Workforce Evolution” conference, hosted by GradLeaders and nSpire AI, Holden participated in a panel discussion with individuals and organizations who work with teenagers who are beginning their professional lives after school. The purpose was to share proven approaches and best practices in preparing Gen Z to enter the workforce, unique factors to consider with this up-and-coming generation, and the role that every sector – education, private business, government, etc. – plays in workforce readiness.
“The discussion we had, and the conference overall, was a great experience,” shared Holden. “I was able to share a unique perspective from our experiences with READ USA Literacy Tutoring, and advocate for the amazing potential we see in our teen (Gen Z) tutors by strategically emphasizing training, coaching, and mentorship in our tutoring model.”
He continued, “This focus allows us to remove the traditional barriers that prevent youth from gaining meaningful employment, such as employment history (65% of our teen tutors obtain their first job with READ USA), experience (none of our teen tutors have teaching experience), and access to transportation (READ USA provides this based on need).”
On the panel, Holden was accompanied by others who work with Gen Z students – including a fellow Northeast Floridian!
“I was also able to discuss how READ USA made the impact we are seeing through Literacy Tutoring possible by intentionally partnering with stakeholders in the community, as it takes an entire community to achieve the ambitious goals of ensuring all teens are ready for work and solving illiteracy,” added Holden. “However, it is this mutual mission commitment that provides alignment in resources towards changing lives and bettering our community.”
Congratulations and thank you to Holden for sharing READ USA’s impactful approach to workforce development, and to the conference organizers for inviting READ USA to participate! We love every opportunity to show how our teen tutors shine!
Children’s Book: William Shakespeare & The Globe by Aliki
Written and illustrated by Aliki
William Shakespeare & the Globe by Aliki is a vividly illustrated children’s book that introduces readers to the life of William Shakespeare and the history of the famous Globe Theatre. Aliki, known for her engaging and educational storytelling, presents Shakespeare’s journey from his early years in Stratford-upon-Avon to one of the greatest playwrights in history. The book also explores the construction, destruction, and eventual rebuilding of the Globe Theatre, making it a rich historical and literary resource for young readers.
Aliki’s illustrations are vibrant and engaging, bringing the Elizabethan era to life. The text is simple yet informative, making Shakespeare’s complex history easy to understand. The book covers Shakespeare’s life, his works, and the significance of the Globe Theatre.
Aliki’s William Shakespeare & the Globe is an outstanding introduction to the world of Shakespeare. It is an excellent choice for children, educators, and anyone looking for a visually appealing, easy-to-read guide to Shakespeare and his legendary theatre.
Submitted by Judy Howard, M.Ed.
Parent Education Corner: Helping with Handwriting, Spelling, and Typing
Handwriting and spelling are basic writing skills that children must draw upon to translate their ideas into writing. Children also use typing and word-processing skills when composing electronically.
Tips for Support Examples
**Typing Club Link: https://www.typingclub.com/
Submitted by Judy Howard, M.Ed.
Do you have any questions or ideas for the Parent Education Corner? Anything you’d like to learn? Let us know here!