Thanks to a generous donor, READ USA had the opportunity to engage and support current and future literacy teachers, coaches, administrators, and education leaders as the Diamond Sponsor of this year’s Florida Literacy Association Conference!

The Florida Literacy Association (formerly the Florida Reading Association) was founded 85 years ago in 1941, the same year that the United States entered World War II. The annual conference—founded 61 years ago by teachers, for teachers—brings together a passionate group of exceptional individuals who share a commitment to delivering high-quality literacy instruction to the students we collectively serve across Florida.

For two days, Orlando was abuzz with energy and enthusiasm as everyone from up-and-coming teachers to seasoned professionals networked, learned, and had some fun!

The fun included Q&As and autographs with New York Times bestselling and award-winning children’s book authors, the reveal of the Top 10 finalists for the Children’s Book Awards, and a surprise donation of 300 books to a CNN Hero and the founder of a children’s community center in Guatemala—plus more!

Team READ USA was honored to donate 300 Spanish books to Juan Pablo Romero Fuentes, who was the first Latin American to be nominated and honored as a top 10 CNN Hero in 2014. Juan Pablo founded “Los Patojos,” meaning “The Little Ones,” to help children in need in Antigua, Guatemala, and opened a school that serves hundreds of students every year—students who are at risk for extreme poverty, violence, and crime.

“Their parents had no jobs; their families were disintegrating. They had no hope or motivation,” Juan Pablo told CNN. “I created a safe place for them to realize that they actually can change bad aspects in their lives and their community. I wanted to give them a better present in order to attain a brighter future.”

Juan Pablo was an inspiration to everyone at the FLA Conference, and it was READ USA’s honor and privilege to support his work! Be sure to check out his appearance on CNN Heroes above!

READ USA’s Diamond Sponsorship not only supported the conference but also honored our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly’s term as President of the Florida Literacy Association (FLA). Following in his footsteps is our Chief Programs Officer Tabetha Cox, who (as Vice President this year) will take the helm of FLA next year, when Dr. Kelly will transition into his immediate past president role and serve as the 2027 Conference Chair.

“To our teachers, literacy coaches, administrators, and education leaders: thank you!” shared Dr. Kelly. “Your daily commitment to students is the foundation of literacy success and the reason this work and conference matter. You are an inspiration to me and countless students and educators across our great state of Florida, and I am grateful for you!”

During the President’s Reception, Dr. Kelly had the opportunity to make some exciting announcements, including:

The Children’s Book Award’s Top 10 Finalists

Every year, publishers send their new children’s book releases to FLA to review, and the top 10 books are unveiled at the conference. You can view the list here. During the coming months, elementary students across the state will vote on their favorite book, with two winners—one book for K-2^nd grade and one for 3^rd-5^th grade—to be announced later this year.

FLA 2025 Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to the FLA 2025 Teacher of the Year, Cara Pavek! Cara is a 1^st-grade teacher at Alexander D. Henderson University School on the campus of Florida Atlantic University, where she brings together the Science of Reading, purposeful data use, and authentic literacy experiences to benefit her students. Beyond her classroom, Cara has published research in prestigious journals and presents at conferences across the state, nation, and world. Congratulations again to Cara!

FLA 2025 Early Literacy Grant Recipient

Congratulations to Primavera Preschool of Hillsborough County for being the FLA 2025 Early Literacy Grant recipient! Dr. Kelly and FLA leadership were honored to present Co-Director Yabelyn Hernandez with a grant to support their efforts in getting students “literacy ready” for kindergarten and lifelong success!

Another highlight for everyone who attended was the opportunity to meet with New York Times bestselling children’s book author Susan Stevens Crummel and award-winning author Jerry Pallotta!

Serving as a math teacher for 31 years in Fort Worth, Texas, Susan Stevens Crummel retired, changed careers, and became an author. She has collaborated with her sister, Janet Stevens, an artist, to publish numerous children’s picture books that make reading and learning fun. From Little Good Wolf to The Great Fuzz Frenzy, Susan’s creativity and passion resonate with administrators, teachers, and students alike, and she travels the globe bringing her stories to life through interactive presentations that keep the audience on their toes. You can read more about Susan and her books here.

Award-winning author of the world-renowned Who Would Win… children’s book series Jerry Pallotta also joined the fun at the FLA Conference, serving as a keynote speaker during Sunday’s closing session. Jerry—who wrote, edited, and produced his first book out of his garage, selling 5,000 copies to the New England Aquarium—has since sold more than 20 million copies of the more than 90 titles he has published during his 30-year career as an author. Jerry is known for combining interesting facts with detailed research, humor, and realistic illustrations that both mesmerize and educate children across the globe.

Thank you to Susan and Jerry for joining the Florida Literacy Association at this year’s conference! For Team READ USA, it was an honor to host you at our booth and witness your passion for children and literacy in-person.

We have much more to share about all that was learned and shared at the FLA Conference, so stay tuned for more!

Thank you to our generous donor for making READ USA’s Diamond Sponsorship possible!

Jaxson de Ville + Free Books = FUN!   

Yesterday morning, the Jacksonville Jaguars visited Spring Park Elementary School for a Literacy Locker Room, giving 400+ free books to students in grades PreK-5^th!

Nearly every student attending Spring Park Elementary could choose one free book, courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation and corporate sponsors. Students also received free Jaguars swag bags filled with all sorts of goodies to take home and keep, including Jaguars bookmarks for their brand-new books!

The students were also treated to a read-aloud with Jaguars Legend Donovin Darius, who shared an inspiring message: “Great leaders are great readers.” Members of the ROAR of the Jaguars—and of course Jaxson de Ville himself—made the day even more memorable!

Team READ USA is grateful to the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation for their ongoing partnership and support of childhood literacy through READ USA and the Literacy Locker Room events. Our gratitude also goes to Adriel Rocha, Vice President of Community Impact and Football Development, and Michael Carnahan, Jaguars Foundation Community Impact Senior Manager, who make these fun and memorable events possible.

Thank you to our wonderful READ USA volunteers and again to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who make these events a highlight of the year for the students we serve!

Rewarding Literacy Tutoring Attendance

Children’s Book: If I Were President by Catherine Stier   

Illustrated by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan

Presidents’ Day is just a few weeks away on Monday, February 19, so this week we are featuring a fun children’s book to recognize and celebrate the upcoming federal holiday:

If I Were President by Catherine Stier is an engaging introduction to the role of the President of the United States. The book invites young readers to imagine themselves in the nation’s highest office, making important decisions, and helping their community and country.  

One of the book’s greatest strengths is how it explains complex civic ideas in a simple and relatable way. Stier uses familiar situations to describe presidential responsibilities, such as leading the country, working with others, and solving problems. This makes the content easy for students to understand. The language is friendly and encouraging, helping children feel that leadership and civic responsibility are within their reach.

The book also promotes positive values such as fairness, responsibility, and helping others. By framing the presidency as a job focused on service rather than power, If I Were President encourages readers to think about why good citizenship matters.

Catherine Stier’s book is an effective and enjoyable resource that helps young learners understand the presidency while inspiring them to think about their own roles as future leaders.

Submitted by Melanie Poag, READ USA Content Assistant