As we gather with family and friends this Fourth of July, we pause to reflect on the meaning of this patriotic season—a time to honor the enduring principles of freedom, opportunity, and justice that define our nation.
Independence Day reminds us that the liberties we enjoy today were hard-won. So many brave individuals have made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedoms and preserve the promise of America for future generations. We remember them with deep gratitude and humility.
At READ USA, we believe the best way to honor that sacrifice is to ensure that every child in our community has the opportunity to fully participate in the freedoms our nation offers. That begins with literacy and contributes to a robust workforce.
When a child learns to read, they gain the power to learn, to lead, and to pursue their dreams. Through our one-to-one tutoring, book choice initiatives, and workforce development programs, READ USA is equipping children and teens with the foundational skills they need to succeed—not just in school, but in the workforce and life.
This year alone, we’ve empowered hundreds of students who were struggling readers to make real gains in literacy, while simultaneously training and employing more than 200 teen tutors with critical workforce skills that will shape their future. That’s freedom in action. That’s opportunity delivered.
Thank you for being part of this mission. This Independence Day, let us recommit ourselves to the ideals that have shaped our country—and to the work of extending those ideals to every child, every family, and every community.
With gratitude and patriotic pride,
Dr. Robert H. Kelly
President & CEO
READ USA, Inc.
READ USA Attends School Boards for Academic Excellence Conference
Last week, our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly was invited to attend the School Boards for Academic Excellence (SBAE) Summer Break Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Joining Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) School Board members April Carney, Reginald Blount, and Tony Ricardo, Dr. Kelly shared how insightful and informative the conference was and some of the takeaways he brought back with him.
Dr. Kelly (left) with DCPS Board Members April Carney (middle) and Tony Ricardo.
“The conference was 100% focused on academic outcomes,” he reflected. “It was very beneficial, as both a service provider and an educator, for me to attend on READ USA’s behalf. Even though the organization targets school board members, the conference was also valuable for school district partners in the room—academic excellence was the focus of every session that took place.”
Dr. David Steiner from Johns Hopkins University was a guest speaker who shared best practices in all subject areas, but particularly in regard to literacy. “It was fascinating to listen to his insights, which also emphasized the importance of the work that READ USA is doing in our schools with Literacy Tutoring,” shared Dr. Kelly. “He discussed the value and importance of subject-matter interventions and how, if school districts aren’t providing tutoring, they are missing a huge opportunity to further student success – which is precisely why the partnership between DCPS and READ USA is so relevant and impactful.”
Photos from SBAE.
“One of several topics he discussed that really spoke to me was the importance of building background knowledge in students – which also relates directly to the books that we use in Literacy Tutoring at READ USA,” continued Dr. Kelly. “He shared how skills cannot replace knowledge, and skills cannot be developed or experienced without knowledge. As educators, sometimes we focus on teaching students to ‘find the main idea’ or ‘determine author’s point of view,’ etc. All of these are skills, and that’s what the standards are written and test for, but we have to teach students content in order to utilize those skills.”
“Dr. Steiner shared studies that back this up, as well as practical ways that educators and school districts can better focus on building background knowledge in students – ultimately fueling greater academic success.”
Thank you to SBAE and Jon Russell for inviting Dr. Kelly and READ USA to attend! Dr. Kelly was thankful for the opportunity to participate and learn alongside DCPS School Board members April Carney, Reginald Blount, and Tony Ricardo!
Know of a Teen Looking for a Job this Fall? Send Them Our Way!
READ USA is actively hiring teen tutors for the Fall semester of Literacy Tutoring, which kicks off mid-August!
Teens and young adults aged 16-25 seeking a learning and earning opportunity – AND the opportunity to make a lifelong impact on young children – are encouraged to apply.
READ USA teen tutors provide one-to-one Literacy Tutoring to elementary students who are struggling to read. Through READ USA, tutors have a proven impact on the students they tutor: students make as much as eight months of reading growth in the span of only three months!
Tutors in READ USA Literacy Tutoring:
- Work Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays after school (9 hours/week)
- Tutor 2-3 elementary students each day
- Participate in a mandatory 2-day training session
Parents: If your teen is looking for an opportunity this fall, SEND THEM OUR WAY!
For teens who apply, please understand these instructions:
- If you have previously been a READ USA tutor, log in to GradLeaders with the same username and password you used previously.
- If you don't remember your password, click “Forgot Password” and instructions will be sent to you.
- If you have not previously been a READ USA tutor before, click “Create Account” and follow the instructions.
- If you already have an email address associated with GradLeaders, it will tell you a profile already exists. If so, follow the instructions above to reset your password.
After teens apply, READ USA will review the application and may follow up to schedule an interview and screener. Screeners and interviews will occur in July into August for the 2025-2026 school year. Those accepted will participate in training at the end of July or beginning of August (date options to be provided).
The deadline to apply is August 1. For any questions, contact Ms. Tabetha Cox, READ USA Chief Programs Officer, at tabetha@readusainc.com.
The Bad Guys Take Over Pablo Creek Regional Library!
It was “The Baddest Day Ever” on Thursday last week when Team READ USA joined Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers and other community partners for a family-fun event focused on the highly popular The Bad Guys children’s book series!
Hundreds of children and families from across Jacksonville came to the Jacksonville Public Library (JPL) Pablo Creek Regional branch last week to participate in activities and receive free books, backpacks, and other goodies from READ USA, Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers Bookmobile, Kids Hope Alliance, and JPL. They also got to enjoy a special appearance by Mayor Donna Deegan herself!
Team READ USA had the pleasure of giving out The Bad Guys books at our table, where each child received a free copy of one of The Bad Guys 20 available novels in the series, plus a free bonus book made possible by READ USA donors. Before leaving, children also got to pick out a free title from the Bookmobile! It was a book-tastic day for everyone who came out!
Thank you to our partners at the Jacksonville Public Library, Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers, and Kids Hope Alliance for making the event possible and inviting READ USA to participate and do our favorite activity: giving out free books!
Children’s Book: Proud Little Patriot by Alla Belousov
Written and illustrated by Alla Belousov
Proud Little Patriot by Alla Belousov is an endearing picture book that aims to foster a love for our country and a respect for its foundational values in the hearts of young readers. Through flowing, rhythmic verses and bold, colorful illustrations, the book offers an engaging introduction to the ideas that form the foundation of American identity: liberty, gratitude, unity, and courage.
Belousov takes a gentle yet impactful approach in helping children understand what it means to be a patriot. Rather than focusing solely on dates or events, the book invites young minds to connect with patriotism by highlighting everyday symbols of national pride, recognizing the bravery of those who have served, and reflecting on the freedoms Americans often take for granted. This emotional connection is critical in helping children learn about their country and feel a genuine appreciation and pride in being an American.
A central theme of the book is the celebration of Independence Day, and Belousov uses this moment in American history as a gateway to introduce deeper conversations about freedom, sacrifice, and the ongoing responsibility of being a good citizen. By breaking down these broad ideas into bite-sized, child-friendly reflections, the book ensures its message is meaningful and memorable for younger readers.
Whether shared at home or incorporated into lesson plans for national holidays or civics units, Proud Little Patriot is a powerful tool to spark thoughtful conversations about American values, responsibility, and pride. It’s not just a celebration of the past—it’s an invitation for the next generation to carry the torch of freedom forward with humility, respect, and love for our country.
Submitted by Judy Howard, M.Ed.
Parent Education Corner: Helping your Child Engage with Informational Texts
Nonfiction reading—whether it’s a science report, a historical narrative, or a step-by-step instructional guide—plays a key role in helping your child learn about the real world. These types of texts have factual information and meaningful ideas. Reading nonfiction strengthens critical thinking and builds foundational skills that are useful in every academic subject, from math and science to social studies and beyond.
To support your child’s learning and curiosity at home, try these simple yet powerful strategies when reading nonfiction together:
Start with a Preview
Before diving into the text, take time to review the key features: titles, subheadings, pictures, captions, graphs, and diagrams. Ask your child what they notice and what they think the text might be about. Questions like, “What do you think we’ll learn?” or “What stands out to you here?” can spark curiosity and set a purpose for reading. Previewing helps your child form expectations and prepares them to actively engage with the text.
Take Time to Pause and Discuss
As you read, build in natural pauses to check in with your child. You might ask, “What have you found interesting so far?” or “Does anything surprise you?” These moments of reflection allow your child to process what they are reading and give you insight into what they’re thinking. Discussing ideas along the way helps deepen understanding and makes the information more memorable.
Explore New Vocabulary Together
Informational texts often introduce new or complex words. When your child encounters a word they don’t know, use it as an opportunity to learn together. Look up the meaning, talk about how it’s used in context, and create your sentence using the word. Building vocabulary this way supports reading comprehension and helps your child feel more confident when approaching challenging texts.
Make Meaningful Connections
Encourage your child to connect what they are reading to something familiar. It may remind them of a personal experience, a school lesson, or something they saw in the news. For example, a book about the weather might spark a conversation about a recent storm you experienced. These real-world connections make the content more relatable, meaningful, and easier to remember.
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!