This week, we are thrilled to celebrate Jennifer Beale-Collier, Principal of Anchor Academy Elementary, as the 2025 Marjorie Broward Memorial Scholarship Award Honoree!
Public nominations overwhelmingly indicated that Principal Beale-Collier is a highly respected and admired “anchor” within the Mayport community, and likely far beyond as well. As such, READ USA is honored to showcase how she exemplifies Librarian Marjorie Broward’s commitment to service, community, and the common good.
Always humble and a true servant leader, Jennifer shared with us, “This really isn’t just about me—it’s a reflection of my amazing teachers, students, and the wonderful READ USA tutors who make such a difference for our kids every single day. I’m so proud to work alongside people who share the same passion for literacy and service.”
During her 23 years (and counting!) with Duval County Public Schools (DCPS), Principal Beale-Collier has proven herself as a dedicated and visionary leader. She leads with strategy, compassion, and purpose, guided by her belief that every child deserves the best educational experience possible.
Under her leadership, Anchor Academy—which is a Purple Star School with 86% of its student population coming from military families at Naval Station Mayport—has implemented innovative initiatives. Calm Classroom, Anchored4Life, Wellness Wednesday, and the Silver & Golden Anchor Character Program are all designed to support the “whole child” and foster a nurturing, high-achieving school culture.
Principal Beale-Collier is also a passionate advocate for literacy. Last year, she welcomed with open arms the READ USA Literacy Tutoring program into her school to support struggling readers in grades 3-5 at Anchor Academy. One year later, Principal Beale-Collier has seen the results: in her words, Literacy Tutoring has transformed the school’s reading culture and produced measurable gains in literacy achievement.
“Student confidence levels also increased because of their participation, and teachers saw a drastic increase in performance and class participation across the board. Many students are now involved in leadership activities, such as safety patrol—which is a direct result of the increased confidence they built because of READ USA Literacy Tutoring.”
She continued, “Students are also now Team Leaders for our Anchored4Life program, also known as the Anchored4Life Club. This peer-to-peer transition and resiliency initiative provides lasting opportunities and meaningful support systems for elementary school students. Its goal is to enhance life skills, build confidence, and reinforce self-worth, empathy, and integrity.”
Beyond her professional achievements, Mrs. Beale-Collier treasures her family most. Married for 28 years, she is the proud mother of 23-year-old triplets whose experiences have shaped her student-centered leadership. Her legacy is one of heart, vision, and impact that transforms classrooms and empowers students to believe in their limitless potential.
Congratulations to Principal Beale-Collier for being selected as the 2025 Marjorie Broward Memorial Scholarship Award Honoree! Team READ USA is immensely grateful for her dedication to her students, her community, and to uplifting lives through literacy at Anchor Academy and beyond!
To celebrate Principal Beale-Collier, it’s not too late to join us at Peace in the Pages on Friday, November 7 at 11:30 a.m. at the Schultz Center! You can reserve your seat by making a $150 donation HERE today.
Thank You, Simply Healthcare!
We are excited and grateful to announce that READ USA is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from Simply Healthcare to support our Literacy Tutoring program!
To celebrate, we welcomed Simply Healthcare team members to Lake Lucina Elementary to present a large check to the very people they are supporting: our teen tutors, students, and teachers!
We are so thankful that Sol Wynter and Sherie Jane Dacula from Simply Healthcare took the time to meet our Lake Lucina team and share a few remarks:
“Remember, everything that we do is not for us but for others,” Ms. Wynter shared with our tutors. “You are shaping the future with what you’re doing, but you’re also shaping yourself, and it’s making us a better community. Thank you to each and every one of you for what you do!”
“Thank you for the opportunity to be among the funders who trust, advocate for, and support your mission. Simply Healthcare is proud to be part of this journey,” she added.
THANK YOU to Simply Healthcare and its team members, and particularly Sol Wynter, for making this incredible support possible for the students, teen tutors, and teachers we serve! We are thankful for all that you do for communities across Florida and the United States!
Dr. Kelly Joins Local Author on “Power of Literacy” Podcast
“In this inspiring episode, we highlight how READ USA is transforming lives through literacy right here in Duval County. From teens discovering purpose as tutors to a young boy learning English and reading on grade level — these stories show how reading truly changes lives.”
Thank you to local children’s book author Heather Marie for inviting our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly on her podcast to talk about all-things-literacy!
“There are so many stories to share,” said Dr. Kelly during the podcast. “One teen in particular, when he started with us, he said it was because he wanted to earn some money. But through this work, he was so impacted by the change that he was seeing that he was helping make in these young kids that he was considering not taking his college scholarship because he thought he needed to continue to tutor…” [To note, this tutor did in fact accept his scholarship and pursue his college aspirations, much to the encouragement of our team!]
“That shows how much of an impact that [READ USA] has made on his life,” responded Heather.
You can watch the engaging discussion below, where Dr. Kelly shares several other impactful stories about the teen tutors and students in READ USA Literacy Tutoring:
Thank you to Heather for inviting Dr. Kelly on your podcast to talk about READ USA! We are grateful for the opportunity to share the transformations that we witness day in and day out!
You can check out Heather’s other podcast episodes HERE.
Children’s Book: That’s The Way It Always Happened by Margo Dill
Illustrated by Pamella Withroder
Red Ribbon Week is all about learning to make safe, healthy, and responsible choices—not just about saying no to drugs and alcohol, but also about standing up for ourselves, trusting our instincts, and knowing when something isn’t right. That’s The Way It Always Happened helps us explore those exact ideas through the story of Lucy, the main character.
While facing a very difficult decision about whether to stay quiet or speak up about an adult who isn’t behaving like an adult, Lucy learns the importance of listening and being present during Red Ribbon Week. Lucy’s habit of tuning out important details causes her to miss out on the fun and significance of the week, as well as the opportunity to connect with her friends and community. As the week unfolds, Lucy realizes what she’s been missing and makes a conscious effort to change. Through her journey, readers are reminded of the power of paying attention, making positive decisions, and being part of something bigger than oneself.
This story shows the emotions and confusion she feels—and how brave she has to be to make the right choice, even when it’s hard.
Submitted by Melanie Poag, READ USA Content Assistant
Parent Education Corner: The Power of Shared Reading at Home
Reading with your child isn’t just about books; it’s about building a foundation for lifelong learning and connection. Here’s why shared reading matters:
📖 1. Builds Strong Literacy Skills
Children learn new words, sentence patterns, and how stories work. These early experiences help them become confident readers and writers.
💬 2. Encourages Communication
Reading together sparks conversations. Children learn to express ideas, ask questions, and think critically about what they hear.
❤️ 3. Strengthens Family Bonds
Shared reading is a special time to slow down and connect. It creates lasting memories and shows children that reading is a valued part of family life.
🌱 4. Supports Emotional Growth
Books help children explore feelings, understand others, and build empathy. They learn that it’s okay to feel—and talk about—big emotions.
🎓 5. Prepares Children for School Success
Children who are read to regularly tend to do better in school. They develop stronger attention spans, listening skills, and a love of learning.
🌍 6. Sparks Curiosity
Books open doors to new worlds, ideas, and experiences. Whether it’s dinosaurs, space, or fairy tales, reading fuels imagination and discovery.
Submitted by Melanie Poag, READ USA Content Assistant