“It Changed Her as a Person”

How READ USA Leadership’s Expertise Is Transforming Students’ Lives 

Literacy is more than a mission. For READ USA President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly and Chief Programs Officer Tabetha West, it is deeply personal.

Every day, our team works to improve reading outcomes for students across Duval County through Literacy Tutoring, Teacher Professional Development, and Workforce Development programming.

However, for Dr. Kelly and Mrs. West, that work has also extended directly into one-to-one tutoring relationships with students whose lives have been transformed through their personal, evidence-based literacy instruction.

 

The remarkable, life-changing results have reinforced an important truth: READ USA’s literacy expertise is not theoretical. It is practical, proven, and—most importantly—transforming lives.

Students who once struggled significantly with reading — students whose families were being asked whether retention, ESE services, or additional interventions might be necessary — are now making extraordinary growth, building confidence, and reaching grade-level proficiency.

Literacy Expertise That Produces Results

Over the past several years, Dr. Kelly and Mrs. West have personally tutored multiple students who began instruction significantly behind in reading.

Among them:

• One student moved from Level 1 to Level 3 on the State FAST Reading Assessment under Dr. Kelly’s instruction.
• Another student demonstrated more than 2.5 years of reading growth in just months, rising from the 16th percentile to the 87th percentile.
• Two siblings—who live in a household where English is not the primary language spoken—made substantial literacy gains while building confidence and commitment to reading.

In every case, the growth extended far beyond test scores. Students who once dreaded reading began enjoying books. Confidence increased. Classroom participation improved. School became less intimidating, more engaging, and—dare we say it—more fun!

For their families, the transformation has been emotional.

“It Changed Her as a Person.”

For Stefanie, watching her daughter H.’s literacy growth under Mrs. West’s tutoring changed far more than academics.

Before tutoring, homework often brought frustration and self-doubt. “Now, she walks in and jumps right into it,” Stefanie shared. “It changed the way she looked at things.”

When H. began tutoring, she was finishing fourth grade but testing closer to the end of a second-grade level (Level K) in comprehension assessments. After just five months of tutoring twice per week, she caught up dramatically — showing approximately 2.5 years of growth and placing her well within range for demonstrating on-level comprehension when she began her 5th-grade school year.

Today, H. is thriving in honors English courses and continues to excel academically.

But for her mother, the most meaningful change was confidence. “Her assistant principal even noticed it,” Stefanie said. “Her confidence walking into school is visible. It changed her skills and her as a person.”

Making Reading Feel Possible

For another student, V., reading once felt overwhelming and uncomfortable. “I was nervous because I didn’t like reading with a lot of people,” he shared. “Now I like reading in front of people.”

Through one-to-one tutoring with Dr. Kelly, V. significantly improved his reading proficiency and began developing a genuine excitement about books and learning. He now enjoys reading nonfiction books about science, history, inventions, and nature.

“Rob makes reading fun,” he said. “Hard work does pay off.”

V.’s mother, Ashley Pratt, Director of Community Relations for Mayo Clinic, shared that Dr. Kelly’s support extended far beyond tutoring sessions themselves.

“He truly cares about the success of the individual child,” she said. “Not only did Rob tutor V., but he also advocated for the support he needed at school.”

That advocacy — combined with individualized literacy instruction — helped transform V.’s relationship with reading and school itself.

“He didn’t like going to school because reading was so hard,” Ashley shared. “But reading became more comfortable. Then he started enjoying school more. He even made A-B Honor Roll!”

Inspired by the impact READ USA had on her own son, Ashley later traveled to Tallahassee to advocate, as a parent, on behalf of READ USA and children across Florida. Her advocacy helped bring further attention to the importance and impact of literacy support and evidence-based instruction for students who need it most.

The Right Instruction

For READ USA leadership, these students’ success stories—and those of the many students READ USA serves in Literacy Tutoring—reinforce a larger message about literacy instruction and teacher preparation.

In many cases, struggling readers do not lack ability. They lack access to the right instruction.

“When educators don’t know exactly how to support struggling readers, it can sometimes appear that something is wrong with the child,” Mrs. West explained. “In reality, the issue may be that the right instructional approach or training is missing.”

That understanding is foundational to READ USA’s work with both students and teachers. The same evidence-based literacy practices that help students succeed through one-to-one tutoring are also the strategies READ USA uses to train tutors, support schools, and provide professional development for educators across the community.

And because READ USA leadership has spent decades actively implementing these strategies themselves, they intimately know what effective literacy instruction looks like in practice.

Building Stronger Futures

At its heart, this work is about more than reading scores. It is about helping children see themselves differently and possessing the skills to succeed at anything in their future.

It is about helping them discover confidence, capability, and potential.

For families like Sarah’s, whose children A. and M. made significant literacy growth through tutoring, the impact has been deeply hopeful. “Their current growth fills me with pride and optimism,” she shared. “I hope for a bright future for them.”

That future — and the futures of countless students across Jacksonville — is exactly why READ USA continues this work every day.

Because literacy changes lives. And when children are given the right instruction, support, and encouragement, extraordinary growth is, in fact, possible.

Thank You, JAX Chamber South Council!         

Team READ USA is grateful for the support of the JAX Chamber South Council and its members this quarter!

Yesterday, our Chief Programs Officer Tabetha West and Development Director Joe Wolf had the honor of representing READ USA during a check presentation from the JAX Chamber South Council. READ USA was the recipient of a portion of the proceeds from the South Council’s recent signature event, Tour De Town Center.

 

“This was such a fun event to participate in, and we are so grateful for all of the people who came out and enjoyed themselves, ultimately helping increase the support we received,” shared Wolf. “Thank you to the South Council’s leadership for choosing to support literacy and workforce development, and for the many opportunities to share READ USA’s work and impact with South Council members!”

South Council members also volunteered at recent READ USA events during the quarter, including Mock Interview Day and some Book Fairs.

“The South Council really wrapped its arms around our organization and mission this quarter,” added Wolf. “We’ve made meaningful connections with new folks from a variety of industries and local businesses, and we are grateful for the support.”

Thank you to the JAX Chamber South Council leadership and members for their support of READ USA!

Meet Our Teachers at North Shore Elementary      

Drumroll, please: This week, we are thrilled to feature our incredible READ USA teachers behind Literacy Tutoring & Workforce Development at North Shore Elementary School!

#FastFact about North Shore Elementary

Did you know that North Shore Elementary is one of only two elementary schools in Jacksonville with a full-sized gymnasium? Plus, North Shore features a TV production studio, multiple science labs, and computer labs, all designed to further enrich student learning. (Duval County Public Schools — North Shore Elementary School Profile)

At all our Literacy Tutoring sites, our Teachers of Content and Organization work closely with tutors to ensure high-quality instruction, strong student engagement, and consistent progress monitoring. From coaching tutors to managing day-to-day operations, this team plays a critical role in moving students to grade-level reading proficiency.

Meet our Teachers at North Shore Elementary below and read why they love the work they do at READ USA—and show them some love on social media HERE!

 

 

 

 

To better understand our teachers’ unique roles, read below:

Teachers of Content are responsible for all literacy content needs of READ USA Literacy Tutoring, ensuring seamless delivery of literacy content needs at each school site. Specifically, Teachers of Content coach and annotate tutor next steps and observations, model lesson parts, and provide tutor professional development. Importantly, they also audit and monitor student literacy growth and oversee student assessments, among other responsibilities.

Teachers of Organization oversee all operational needs of READ USA Literacy Tutoring. This essential role ensures smooth and efficient program delivery, from managing communications with schools, parents, and READ USA staff to collecting and entering weekly student data. Teachers of Organization also handle student discipline, transportation support, and provide oversight of the READ USA aftercare program.

Aftercare Teachers monitor and provide guidance to elementary students awaiting their Literacy Tutoring sessions each day. They are also responsible for student attendance, supper, and snack tracking, and deliver supplemental literacy programming, such as read-alouds and other literacy-focused activities.

 

THANK YOU to our incredible teachers at North Shore Elementary for all you do for our students and teens!

#FastFacts Wednesday: Safety, Service & Stronger Communities   

This week’s #FastFacts highlights two important May observances that remind us how communities grow stronger when we support one another — whether through service to our country or helping children stay safe while staying active.

Military Appreciation Month

May is Military Appreciation Month, a national observance established by Congress in 1999 to honor the service and sacrifice of current and former members of the United States Armed Forces and their families.

#FastFacts:

• More than 1.3 million active-duty service members currently serve in the U.S. military (U.S. Department of Defense).
• Approximately 2 million children in the United States have a parent serving in the military, often navigating school transitions, deployments, and other unique challenges (Military Child Education Coalition).

Strong literacy skills help create stability, confidence, and opportunity for children and families in every community — including military families here in Jacksonville and across the country.

To all who serve, and to the families who serve alongside them: thank you!

Bike Safety Month

May is also Bike Safety Month, an annual campaign led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and national safety organizations to encourage safe biking habits for children and adults alike.

#FastFacts:

• Wearing a properly fitted helmet can reduce the risk of serious head injury by up to 85% (National Safety Council).
• More than 50% of children ages 5–14 ride bikes regularly, making bike safety education especially important for families and schools (NHTSA).

READ USA cares deeply about the well-being of the students and families we serve — both inside and outside the classroom. As summer approaches and more children spend time outdoors, Bike Safety Month is a great reminder to practice safe riding habits, wear helmets, stay visible, and review safety rules together as a family.

Be sure to check out the bike safety resources posted here to help keep children safe while they ride this summer!

From honoring those who serve our country to helping children stay safe and active, this week’s observances remind us that strong communities are built through care, support, and opportunity.

Children’s Book: Freedom on the Sea by Michael Boulware Moore   

READ USA is continuing to feature the Top 10 Finalists for the 2025-2026 Florida Literacy Association Children’s Book Award in our weekly children’s book review. There were 10 finalists in the Grades K-2 category and 10 for the Grades 3-5 category for a total of 20 books.

To view the full list of finalists, click here.

This Week’s Featured Book: Freedom on the Sea by Michael Boulware Moore

Top 10 Finalist in Grades 3-5 category | Illustrated by Bryan Collier  

History comes alive in Freedom on the Sea, a powerful and moving account of courage, resistance, and the pursuit of freedom during the Civil War.  

This story shines a light on the brave journeys of enslaved individuals who sought refuge and liberation aboard Union ships. Through compelling narrative and evocative illustrations, readers are drawn into a moment in history that is often overlooked, yet deeply important.

The emotional depth of the story invites reflection, conversation, and empathy. Readers don’t just learn about history—they feel it. They witness bravery, uncertainty, and hope woven together in a way that makes the past both accessible and unforgettable.

This is more than a history lesson—it’s a story of humanity, resilience, and the enduring fight for freedom.