Vincent Taylor, the magnanimous teacher, author, motivational speaker, and education subject-matter expert known far beyond Duval County’s borders, has officially released his documentary, “If Instruction Isn’t Engaging, I Quit!”
Vincent—who is also a READ USA Board member and last year’s Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) Teacher of the Year—wrote, produced, and directed the documentary. He is also featured throughout the documentary alongside teachers, students, and up-and-coming educators from Jacksonville and across the country.
The documentary focuses on a deeply fundamental yet simple concept: If educators aren’t engaging their students in the classroom, the consequences can be devastating not only for students, but also for schools, our education system, and our nation.
Members of Team READ USA had the opportunity to attend the documentary premiere that Vincent hosted recently at the Schultz Center. During the special event (featuring a red carpet, popcorn, and more—just like a Hollywood movie premiere!), which was attended by past and present DCPS school board members, superintendents, nonprofit organizations, and others, Vincent shared:
“It’s the voice of our students that I really wanted you all to hear… If you want the very best professional development, listen to your students. They will tell you exactly what you need to do to become a great teacher, and what you need to do to engage them.”
He continued, “If we don’t engage our students, they will quit! It doesn’t mean they’re going to quit school, though it could; moreover, it could be, ‘I’m tuning you out.’ So that’s how I came up with the title, to hold myself accountable as a teacher. I hope it’s a resource that will help everyone grow.”
Vincent’s three-year journey to create the documentary expanded upon the book he released in2017 by the same name. The book shared 10 strategies for K-12 teachers to increase engagement in their classrooms. Since the book’s release, he has also presented a keynote address (with the same engaging title, of course!) to more than 60,000 educators, using his experiences, wisdom, and ability to advance the teaching profession and empower educators with proven ideas and resources.
To recognize his contributions to education and celebrate the release of his documentary, The Honorable Dr. Rahman Johnson, Jacksonville City Council member for District 14, read aloud the resolution passed last year by the entire 19-member Jacksonville City Council:
“In recognition of his outstanding contributions to education as a math instructor at Cedar Hills Elementary…Be it resolved, the entire Council hereby commends Vincent Taylor for being Teacher of the Year and rendering outstanding service in education, recognizing your contribution to this community.”
Team READ USA is elated for Vincent on the release of the documentary and extends our heartfelt congratulations on this exceptional milestone!
To watch the one-hour documentary on YouTube, click here; you can read more about Vincent’s background and published works, and visit his store here.
Join Us on Read for the Record Day!
Jumpstart's Read for the Record – “the world’s largest shared reading experience” – is coming up later this month!
Every year, Read for the Record unites millions of people across the globe by reading the same book on the same day to raise awareness for early literacy. This year, Read for the Record chose the popular children’s book, See Marcus Grow, by Marcus Bridgewater, which will be read in classrooms across the world on Thursday, February 26.
Team READ USA will participate again this year, so if you would like to join us and volunteer to read in a classroom on February 26, please contact Sophia@readusainc.com by this Friday, February 5!
(Please note, to volunteer in a school, a DCPS background check is required. Sophia will provide the details.)
And the Winning Word was…
Last week, middle school students from across Duval County participated in the annual DCPS Spelling Bee at Wolfson High School, and our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly had the pleasure of serving as a guest judge again this year!
Team READ USA extends our congratulations to Garrett DeGruchy, a student at LaVilla School of the Arts, for winning first place with the word “adieu” after 15 rounds of competition! It then took four more rounds of competition to determine the second and third-place winners. Our congratulations go to Caitlin Heil of Baldwin Middle-Senior High School for winning second place with the word “acacia,” and to Gabriel Joaquin Pujalte of Kernan Middle School for winning third place.
“It’s wonderful to see a stage full of budding young minds who share a love of words and are eager to show their literary prowess by competing in the spelling bee,” shared Dr. Kelly, who was joined by fellow guest judges Octavius and Catherine. “This year was yet another exciting one with a record-breaking number of spelling rounds, and I am always grateful to participate and support our students!”
Check out this short reel here on DCPS’s Facebook page—and tell these fabulous spellers congratulations!
#FastFacts Wednesday: 100 Years of Black History Month
Established 100 years ago in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson and officially recognized nationally in 1976, Black History Month celebrates the achievements, contributions, and resilience of Black Americans throughout U.S. history. It is a time to honor stories that have shaped our nation and to recognize how Black history is American history.
Literacy has long been a vital tool for empowerment within the Black community. Frederick Douglass, who escaped slavery and became one of the nation’s most influential writers and orators, captured this truth when he said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”—an iconic statement that continues to resonate with Team READ USA to this day. From enslaved people who risked their lives to learn to read, to educators and authors who expanded access to knowledge, literacy has been central to the pursuit of freedom and opportunity.
At READ USA, literacy is at the heart of our mission. By helping young people build strong reading skills, confidence, and a love of learning, we carry forward a legacy rooted in access, opportunity, and empowerment. Black History Month is a celebration of that legacy—and a reminder that literacy opens doors, amplifies voices, and helps shape a brighter future for all.
Be sure to check out our children’s book for this week, The ABCs of Black History, below!
Children’s Book: The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez
Illustrated by Lauren Semmer
The ABCs of Black History is a vibrant, engaging, and deeply meaningful picture book that introduces young readers to the richness and breadth of Black history, culture, and achievement. Written in rhythmic, poetic language, the book uses each letter of the alphabet as a doorway into important people, places, events, and ideas that have shaped the Black experience across generations.
The book is fun to read because the writing is rhythmic and poetic, almost like a song. The illustrations are bright and full of energy, which makes every page exciting to look at. Even though the book is short, it shares a lot of powerful information and helps readers understand why Black history matters.
This book naturally sparks conversation and also encourages children to ask questions, make connections, and see themselves as part of a larger story.
The ABCs of Black History is more than an alphabet book—it’s a celebration of resilience, creativity, and community. Its poetic language and powerful imagery make it a valuable resource for teaching children about identity, history, and the importance of honoring diverse stories.
Submitted by Melanie Poag, READ USA Content Assistant
Parent Education Corner: How Talking Builds Literacy
Talking is important to literacy because it builds the foundation for reading and writing. Long before people learn to read print, they learn language through speaking and listening.
Here are the main reasons why talking supports literacy:
1. Talking builds vocabulary
When people talk and listen to others, they learn new words, what they mean, and how they are used. A strong spoken vocabulary makes it easier to recognize and understand words when reading and to use them when writing.
2. Talking helps children understand how language works
Through conversation, learners hear sentence structure, grammar, and storytelling patterns. This helps them understand:
• How sentences are formed
• How ideas connect
• How language changes for different purposes
3. Talking supports reading comprehension
Discussing stories, ideas, and experiences helps people make sense of what they read. Talking encourages:
• Asking questions
• Making predictions
• Explaining thinking
4. Talking strengthens phonological awareness
Speaking and listening help learners hear sounds in words—such as rhymes, syllables, and beginning sounds. This awareness is critical for decoding words when learning to read.
5. Talking builds confidence and motivation
When learners can express their ideas orally, they feel more confident sharing ideas in writing. Talking also helps students connect literacy to real life, making reading and writing more meaningful.
6. Talking supports thinking
Language and thinking are closely connected. Talking helps people organize thoughts, clarify ideas, and practice reasoning—all skills needed for effective reading and writing.
Submitted by Melanie Poag, READ USA Content Assistant