Calling all volunteers from a variety of professional backgrounds: this is your opportunity to support the next generation entering the workforce!
READ USA’s Mock Interview Day, a key part of the Workforce Development experience we provide to our teen tutors, is coming up next month:
Saturday, April 25
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The Schultz Center
4019 Boulevard Center Drive
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. | Lunch will be provided
At Mock Interview Day, 150+ local teens—the workforce of tomorrow—come together for a morning of learning and workforce preparation to practice their job interview skills and further prepare them for any career path they choose to pursue.
READ USA is recruiting professionals from a variety of careers and backgrounds to volunteer as interviewers on Mock Interview Day. Here’s how it works:
If you are interested in being a Mock Interview Day sponsor, or if you have any questions, email joe@readusainc.com.
We hope to see you in April!
READ USA Board Chair Ellen Wiss Joins Rotary Club of Jacksonville
Our READ USA Board Chair Ellen Wiss has officially become a member of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville!
Founded in 1912, the Rotary Club of Jacksonville currently has more than 225 members and has fostered more than 20 other Rotary Clubs in the region during its more than 110-year history. Globally, Ellen joins a network of more than 1.2 million Rotarians.
“My professional background is in real estate ventures, but my heart is in the founding of READ USA,” shared Ellen when she was presented with her Blue Badge, a trademark of the Rotary Club. “I get to work alongside fellow Rotarians, including Dr. Rob Kelly, and our mission and work is transforming lives. We believe that Rotary is doing the same and is the perfect partner to further life-improving outcomes for all people of Jacksonville.”
During last week’s induction luncheon, two other local leaders also became Rotary members: Ari Jolly and Bridgette Goodchild were presented with their Blue Badges as well.
“Anyone who knows Ellen knows how she perfectly embodies selfless service to the community,” shared our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly. “Through her servant leadership and generous contributions of time, talent, treasure, and testimony, READ USA is truly transforming lives, simultaneously elevating countless individuals and our community overall.”
Congratulations to Ellen for joining this highly esteemed organization!
You can read more about the Rotary Club of Jacksonville here, and view additional pictures from its recent luncheon here.
#FastFacts Wednesday: Women’s History Month — The Legacy of Women Who Drive Change
At READ USA, Women’s History Month holds special meaning for our organization. That’s because READ USA itself was co-founded by two visionary women who believed that strong literacy skills transform lives and communities: Ellen Wiss and Vanessa Tussey.
Witnessing Tussey, a highly effective 4th-grade teacher, transform lives in 2012, Wiss realized that literacy is the ultimate tool to end generational poverty. After seeing students thrive against the odds of their zip codes, she felt called to scale that success. She asked, “What can I do to spread this impact to every child?” The answer was READ USA.
March is Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the achievements, contributions, and leadership of women throughout American history. From science and education to business, government, and community leadership, women have played a vital role in shaping the world we live in today.
#DYK this celebration didn’t start as a month?
Women’s History Month actually began as Women’s History Week in 1978, when educators in Sonoma County, California, organized a local celebration to highlight women’s contributions that were often overlooked in history books. The movement quickly gained national support, and nearly 40 years ago in 1987, Congress officially designated March as Women’s History Month.
Today, the observance is an opportunity to reflect on history and celebrate women who continue to shape our communities, lead innovation, and inspire future generations.
Here are some #FastFacts:
At READ USA, Women’s History Month is also a reminder of how powerful and vital literacy is to open doors of opportunity. When students develop strong reading skills, they gain the tools they need to pursue their goals, lead with confidence, and make their own mark on the world.
And—for Team READ USA, Women’s History Month is also a moment to celebrate the legacy of the two women who helped launch READ USA and the many educators, tutors, mentors, and community leaders—many of them women—who continue this work every day.
Their vision lives on in every student, teen, and teacher we serve!
👉 Want to learn more about how READ USA began? Visit our History page to see how Ellen Wiss and Vanessa Tussey launched a literacy movement that continues to grow today.
Meet Our Teachers at Beauclerc Elementary
Our fantastic teachers at Beauclerc Elementary are in the READ USA spotlight this week!
#FastFact about Beauclerc Elementary: Beauclerc Elementary is one of only three Dual Language elementary magnet programs in the district, offering bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural learning in every classroom, every day. (Read more about Beauclerc here.)
At all of our Literacy Tutoring sites, our teachers are vital to helping students achieve grade-level reading proficiency: from supervising and providing in-the-moment support to our teen tutors and AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders to ensuring that our programming is delivered with fidelity, data and reporting are accurate, they make sure that everything operates effectively and efficiently!
Meet our Teachers at Beauclerc 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 the unique role that each of our teacher’s play in our programming, 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 Beauclerc Elementary for all you do for our students and teens!
Children's Book: Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors? The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell by Tanya Lee Stone
Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
In the 1830s, when a brave and curious girl named Elizabeth Blackwell was growing up, women were supposed to be wives and mothers. Some women could be teachers or seamstresses, but career options were few. Certainly, no women were doctors.
However, Elizabeth refused to accept the common beliefs that women weren’t smart enough to be doctors or that they were too weak for such hard work. And she would not take no for an answer. Although she faced much opposition, she worked hard and finally―when she graduated from medical school and went on to have a brilliant career―proved her doubters wrong. This inspiring story of the first female doctor shows how one strong-willed woman opened the doors for all the female doctors to come.
Tanya Lee Stone uses a fun and conversational style of narration, and Marjorie Priceman’s playful illustrations add to the enjoyment of this story. Any child who’s ever been told that he or she “can’t” grow up to be something will identify with young Elizabeth and find something to appreciate in this book.
Submitted by Kathi Hart, READ USA Lead Content Specialist
Parent Education Corner: Encouraging Young Writers
Just as reading at home helps to strengthen young readers’ skills, writing at home helps to strengthen young writers’ skills. We expect children to read every day, and we should also expect them to write every day.
Encouraging children to write at home is no easy task. Encouraging reluctant writers to write at home is even harder. These easy-to-implement, screen-free writing activities will help your children write at home—and look forward to it, too!
All you will need to implement these writing ideas at home are paper or notebooks, a pencil, and a few common household items.
Create a writing space
Children thrive on structure. If possible, create a fun space for children to write at home. This can be a corner in their room, a desk, a table, or any place they can go to and know it is time to write! Don’t have a space to use? Grab an old shoebox and fill it with writing tools your children will need, such as paper, a notebook, pencils, and crayons. Now they have a portable writing desk that allows them to write anywhere!
Make bulleted lists
Have children keep a list of all the different activities they do each day at home in a journal or notebook. Simply put the date at the top of the list and have kids create the list. Some activities may be everyday tasks, like making the bed, while others may be more exciting, like going on a nature walk. No matter the task, have children record them all. This simple activity not only helps children to write each day, but by creating this list, they are creating a brainstormed list of ideas that they can later turn into narrative writing pieces.
Create a descriptive web
Have children select any household item and create a descriptive web in their writing notebook. To do this, they simply write the word of the item they are describing in a circle and create a web of descriptive phrases about it using their five senses. You could also give more specific directions about what to write about, such as a special toy, a piece of fruit, or something that fits in your hand.
Write about reading
Since children are expected to read every day, why not have them write about what they read? This does not have to be a long task at all! Keep it simple and have children write a sentence or two that summarizes their reading, something that they learned, or a prediction that they have. Just a quick response to practice writing at home each day.
Create an instruction manual
Have children keep a procedural writing journal of everything they did while at home during Spring Break. They will not only practice their writing skills but will also never be stuck for ideas. They can write directions for ANY TASK they did that day, including making a bed, brushing their teeth, washing dishes, building a Lego set, reading a book, really anything! To motivate children to write, have them create comic-book-style illustrations to match.
A picture is worth a thousand words
This one is simple! Grab any photo, even a digital one saved on a phone or tablet, and have children write about it. They can write about what happened that day, a descriptive piece about the setting, or even a short story. Children love using pictures to write, so why not use ones they already know a lot about to get them writing?
Submitted by Kathi Hart, READ USA Lead Content Specialist
Do you have any questions or ideas for the Parent Education Corner? Anything you’d like to learn? Let us know here!