When Amari walked into READ USA’s Mock Interview Day as a Teen Tutor preparing to graduate from high school, he thought he was there to practice for his future. He left with a connection that would help launch his career.
“My experience with READ USA and the mock interview opened the door to a career I had never heard of before,” Amari said.
From left: Kent Fleenor, Vice President and Survey Operations Manager; Mike Nethery, Executive Vice President; Amari, and Tina Clary, Principal & CEO of Clary & Associates.
During READ USA’s annual Teen Tutor Mock Interview Day, teens have the opportunity to build their professional skills by participating in one-on-one mock interviews and hearing directly from local professionals about their career journeys, experiences, and advice for entering the workforce. The experience gives Teen Tutors a chance to practice introducing themselves, sharing their resumes, answering interview questions, and making professional connections as they prepare for their own next steps.
For Amari, one of those connections was with Clary & Associates, a Jacksonville-based surveying and mapping firm serving North Florida since 1983. Tina Clary, Principal & CEO, participated on the career panel at Mock Interview Day, while Mike Nethery and Kent Fleenor of the Clary team conducted mock interviews with READ USA teens.
Tina Clary, Principal & CEO of Clary & Associates, shares her professional experience with READ USA teens during Mock Interview Day.
During Amari’s interview with Clary & Associates Executive Vice President Mike Nethery, the two talked about Amari’s experience tutoring with READ USA, his plans after graduation, and his interest in pursuing a career path outside of college. Nethery shared several possibilities with him, including careers where he could learn on the job and grow through experience.
Amari participates in Mock Interview Day with Clary & Associates Executive Vice President Mike Nethery.
Land surveying caught Amari’s attention. He began asking about opportunities at Clary & Associates and learned that the company offered entry-level positions with on-the-job training and opportunities for advancement.
Amari took it from there.
He followed up with the Clary team, stayed in touch leading up to graduation, and scheduled an interview for shortly after receiving his diploma. Kent Fleenor, Vice President and Survey Operations Manager at Clary & Associates, conducted Amari’s interview at the firm. During the interview process, he learned more about the demands of working on a surveying field crew, from working outdoors in Florida weather to handling equipment and supporting the crew in the field.
That same week, Amari was offered a job.
Now, nearly three months later, Amari is gaining hands-on experience as a Rodman, an entry-level position supporting Clary & Associates’ field surveying crews. His days begin early, preparing equipment before heading into the field and learning alongside experienced crew members.
Nearly three months into the job, Amari continues to show up ready to learn, take direction, and grow.
“Amari has been eager to learn and willing to work hard from the beginning,” Clary said. “He shows up every day ready to learn and has fit in so well with our team. I wish I had 30 Amaris.”
For Amari, the opportunity has introduced him to a career he didn't know existed before that first conversation.
“I’m loving the new experiences and exploring Jacksonville,” he said. “I am truly thankful for this opportunity and for the READ USA program. The experience showed me that sometimes one conversation, one introduction, or one opportunity can open the door to a completely new future. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.”
READ USA is grateful to Tina Clary and the Clary & Associates team for investing their time in our teens and showing what can happen when community professionals open doors, share their experiences, and help young people discover new possibilities for their futures.
And We’re Off! Literacy Tutoring Officially Begins Across 14 Schools
Yesterday, READ USA students and tutors officially kicked off a new year of Literacy Tutoring across all 14 elementary school sites!
After spending last week preparing classrooms, organizing materials, assembling student folders and tutor boxes, and getting ready for the semester ahead, READ USA’s Teen Tutors and AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders were ready to welcome students for their first afternoon of tutoring.
The elementary students selected to participate in READ USA Literacy Tutoring are working to strengthen their literacy skills and receive additional support to help them progress toward grade-level reading proficiency. Through consistent, one-to-one tutoring, students work alongside trained Teen Tutors and AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders, with support from READ USA’s program teachers.
The goal goes beyond typical growth. READ USA Literacy Tutoring is designed to help students make accelerated growth, giving them an opportunity to close literacy gaps while building the skills and confidence they need in the classroom and beyond.
While elementary students strengthen their reading skills, tutoring also creates an opportunity for teens to grow. Throughout the school year, Teen Tutors and AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders will continue developing their leadership, communication, responsibility, and professional skills while serving as mentors and role models for younger students.
Yesterday was just the beginning. Over the months ahead, hundreds of students and tutors will learn, grow, and celebrate progress together.
We can’t wait to see what this school year brings!
2026 Peace in the Pages Nominations Now Open
Do you know someone whose leadership, service, or commitment deserves to be recognized?
Peace in the Pages is READ USA’s annual luncheon that celebrates literacy and champions for literacy in our community. Each year, we come together to recognize individuals whose leadership and commitment to literacy are making a meaningful difference in our community.
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Peace in the Pages Awards! This year, READ USA will recognize honorees through the READ to Lead Award, Marjorie Broward Memorial Scholarship Award, and Mark Landen Memorial Award for Democracy through Journalism.
We invite our community to help us identify this year’s honorees. Learn more about each award and nominate an individual who exemplifies its spirit and impact.
Save the Date
November 6, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. | The Schultz Center
More details to come!
Meet Our AmeriCorps VISTAs
Introducing Kameron, Logistics and Scaling Associate
This week, we're wrapping up our Meet Our VISTAs series by introducing Kameron, READ USA's AmeriCorps VISTA Logistics and Scaling Associate.
A Jacksonville native, Kameron is currently pursuing his bachelor's degree in Transportation and Logistics at the University of North Florida, with plans to build a career in supply chain management or international logistics. Motivated by the opportunity to serve his community while building skills for his future career, Kameron brings a passion for learning, teamwork, and taking on new challenges.
Kameron was already familiar with READ USA before beginning his VISTA service. His experience as a tutor gave him a firsthand look at the difference encouragement and support can make in a student's success—and inspired him to continue serving the organization in a new way.
"I chose READ USA because I wanted to play a bigger role in helping others, especially through education. My experience as a tutor has shown me the impact that encouragement and support can have on a student's success."
During his service year, Kameron hopes to use his interest in logistics to help READ USA operate more efficiently and create workflows that support the organization's growth. He is especially excited about implementing logistics strategies that help tutors, teachers, and staff perform their roles more effectively.
Get to Know Kameron
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Studying: Transportation and Logistics at the University of North Florida, with plans to pursue a career in supply chain management or international logistics.
Why READ USA? His experience as a READ USA tutor showed him the impact encouragement and support can have on a student's success and inspired him to play a bigger role in helping others through education.
Favorite childhood book: The Giver — a book he read many times growing up that taught him about conformity and community versus individuality and independence.
Outside of READ USA: Strength and endurance training, playing and teaching chess, and taking pictures of animals and interesting scenery.
Fun fact: He began writing a science fiction series in February 2026, which has led him to get his own thesaurus and dictionary and explore even more media.
For Kameron, literacy is foundational to creating opportunity: "It builds confidence, creates opportunities, and gives the individual a better chance to succeed." As he continues his VISTA year, he hopes to strengthen his communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills while helping READ USA expand its impact.
As we close out our Meet Our VISTAs series, we're grateful to Kameron and each of our AmeriCorps VISTA members for dedicating their year of service to strengthening READ USA and helping us better serve students, families, and our community.
Children’s Book: If Everybody Did by Jo Ann Stover
If Everybody Did a children’s book written by Jo Ann Stover shows the hilarious and terrible consequences of everyone doing their own thing.
This book teaches us about the consequences of our actions. What if Everybody stomped and roared, picked a bud and always cried?
Humorous illustrations match the unlikely, outrageous circumstances that would arise if Everybody did. Originally published in 1960, this classic story and original illustrations have been restored for a new generation of readers.
Submitted by Kathi Hart, READ USA Lead Content Specialist
Parent Education Corner: Focus on Vocabulary
Developing a wide vocabulary is fundamentally important for children. The vocabulary size of a 4-year-old is a predictor of educational outcomes at age sixteen. A broad vocabulary also boosts social skills and confidence through childhood and into adulthood.
Your input as a parent to your child’s vocabulary is crucial. As much as 95% of the words a child knows is also found in their parents’ vocabulary, and parental involvement in learning increases children’s motivation and achievement.
It’s easy to integrate vocabulary development into your home life and everyday routine through reading, talking and playing.
Here are some fun suggestions:
1. Bring new words to life
If your child learns a new noun (e.g., galaxy), find a picture of it online or in a book. If it’s an adjective, think of things that can be described using the word, like a meager allowance or a diligent student. If the new word describes an emotion, show the feeling with a facial expression, ask “How do you look when you feel annoyed, miserable?” It’s fun to act out new verbs – try sauntering to the car, hoisting your bookbag or squirming in your seat.
2. Visualize new words on paper
To help your child remember the meaning of a word, draw a situation that represents that word. For example, if the new word is ‘reluctant,’ they can draw a picture of them eating Brussel sprouts.
3. Encourage your child to read books and read aloud to them
Children who read a lot have wider vocabularies than those who don’t. Even if your child is a good reader, reading aloud to them helps them access harder texts. This exposes them to more challenging words and creates the opportunity for conversation.
4. Encourage your child to read material other than books
New words can be acquired in a multitude of places. A cereal box could introduce your child to the word ‘ingredients and a car handbook to the word ‘metallic.’ Don’t overlook the benefits of reading magazines or online content.
5. Talk with your child
Parent-child conversations (two-way) are known to be one of the main influencing factors on vocabulary development. When you’re with your child talk about anything and everything – describe what happened to you at work, something interesting you saw on the way home, share a favorite childhood memory. This Summer, wherever you are talk about what you see and experience and look out for new words on signs and labels.
6. Repeat, repeat, repeat
For a new word to become embedded, a child needs to encounter it more than once. Typically, a child needs to hear a new word between 4 and 12 times before it is committed to their long-term memory and truly added to their vocabulary.
7. Play games together
Board games such as Scrabble and Boggle (including Junior versions) are a great way to discover new words. Word searches and crosswords are a good way to introduce new words, provide conversation starters and link a word to its meaning. Even ‘I spy…’ can be a fun way to introduce new nouns.
For games, stories and fun family activities that support vocabulary development visit:
https://pbskids.org/games/vocabulary
Submitted by Kathi Hart, READ USA Lead Content Specialist