The conversations started with childhood dream jobs. The journey ahead is about discovering all that the future can be!
This week, READ USA’s Summer Leadership Academy officially kicked off, bringing together local teenagers for six weeks of career exploration, leadership development, and personal growth.
Through July 16, READ USA teens—many of whom served this past school year as tutors or AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders—will visit businesses, organizations, colleges, and community partners across Jacksonville to explore career pathways, build leadership skills, and better understand how their interests and talents can shape their futures.
What lies ahead are new experiences and endless possibilities!
Summer Leadership Academy launched Monday at the Schultz Center with an energizing orientation filled with connection, reflection, and excitement for the weeks ahead. Teens participated in get-to-know-you activities and shared both their childhood dream jobs and the careers they are considering today—a meaningful look at how their goals, interests, and sense of possibility have evolved over time.
This first week is focused on Self-Knowledge & Leadership, with a special emphasis on university pathways and admissions. From Tuesday through Thursday, participants are spending time at the University of North Florida, where they are exploring what college life can look like, learning about pathways to higher education, and engaging in conversations about scholarships, financial aid, applications, and career preparation.
Today, our teens toured UNF and participated in a leadership seminar with Dr. Matthew Ohlson, an award-winning UNF professor and leadership expert whose work focuses on helping students, educators, and organizations develop leadership capacity, strengthen culture, and create meaningful impact within their communities. They spend another informative and eye-opening day at UNF tomorrow!
Throughout the week, our teens are completing personal reflections, setting career goals, exploring leadership styles, and beginning the important work of connecting who they are today with who they hope to become in the future.
And this is only the beginning!
In the weeks ahead, READ USA teens will continue exploring industries and career pathways across healthcare, education, local government, public safety, retail, the trades, and more. Each experience is designed to expand their awareness, strengthen their confidence, and help them prepare for life beyond high school.
We know our teens are not just future professionals—they are future leaders. We cannot wait to share all they experience, learn, and accomplish this summer!
Thank you to the University of North Florida for helping create a fantastic experience for our teens during week one!
Leadership Jacksonville Invests in Next Generation of Leaders
Strong communities are built by people who invest in one another.
That’s why Team READ USA is excited to celebrate the inaugural cohort of Young Professional Leadership Jacksonville (YPLJ), a new Leadership Jacksonville program designed to help emerging professionals strengthen their leadership skills, expand their networks, and deepen their understanding of our community.
Over the course of the program, participants engaged in an opening day, four program sessions, and a closing retreat while building meaningful relationships with mentors and fellow young professionals from across Jacksonville.
Our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly had the privilege of serving as a mentor to Leila Zefri, who works in volunteer engagement and development with Communities In Schools of Jacksonville. Through Leadership Jacksonville’s thoughtful matching process—which considered professional interests, leadership styles, and personality assessments—the two were paired based on their shared passion for education and nonprofit work.
“Throughout the program, we exchanged ideas, explored leadership topics, and learned from one another’s experiences,” shared Dr. Kelly. “Leila was particularly interested in learning more about education and education policy, while I was able to gain insights and look at volunteer engagement and development through a new lens. I am grateful for this experience and look forward to continuing to support Leila’s development.”
While the formal program has concluded, the relationship continues.
Dr. Kelly and Leila plan to remain connected through ongoing mentorship conversations, demonstrating one of the most valuable outcomes of programs like YPLJ: lasting relationships that continue to strengthen our community long after a program ends.
As a Leadership Jacksonville alumnus, Dr. Kelly was honored to be invited to serve as a mentor in the program’s inaugural year and is encouraged by Leadership Jacksonville’s investment in emerging leaders.
“Programs like YPLJ create opportunities for young professionals to learn, grow, and connect with experienced community leaders while building the relationships that help strengthen Jacksonville's future,” Dr. Kelly added.
Team READ USA extends our gratitude to Leadership Jacksonville, as well as Gracie Simendinger, Chief Executive Officer; Nicole Bryan, Vice President of Programs; and Tom Caron, Fractional Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, for creating this outstanding experience that will help shape our community for years to come.
We look forward to seeing the impact this inaugural cohort—and future cohorts—will have across Jacksonville!
Meet Our Teachers at YMCA Tiger Academy
While summer is already well underway, this week we are featuring the amazing teachers who supported Literacy Tutoring at YMCA Tiger Academy during the spring semester.
This was the first time that READ USA has partnered with a charter school to provide Literacy Tutoring, Workforce Development, and Teacher Professional Development—and the team who helped make it all happen knocked it out of the park!
#ICYMI last week, Tiger Academy is projected to earn a ‘B’ school grade this year, an accomplishment that is a “…direct reflection of the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our teachers and staff and the support of READ USA,” as stated by Executive Director Lauren Gibbs.
You can read more about the phenomenal growth our students and teens achieved—including how READ USA students achieved approximately 32% greater reading growth than non-participating students—and our history-making partnership with Tiger Academy here.
Excerpt of article; click on image to read the full article:
Read below to meet the wonderful teachers at Tiger Academy!
#FastFact about Tiger Academy
YMCA Tiger Academy is Jacksonville’s first public charter school operated by the YMCA and has been serving Pre-K through fifth-grade students since 2009 (YMCA Tiger Academy).
This year, YMCA Tiger Academy is projected to achieve some of the strongest academic outcomes in its history—including record-setting reading gains and school accountability points. Read more about that here!
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 YMCA Tiger Academy below 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 YMCA Tiger Academy for all you’ve done for our students and teens!
Children’s Book: Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf Editor by Rebecca Kraft Rector
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: Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf Editor by Rebecca Kraft Rector
Top 10 Finalist in Grades 3-5 category | Illustrated by Shanda McCloskey 
What happens when a story refuses to stay the same? In Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf Editor, Rebecca Kraft Rector delivers a clever, laugh-out-loud twist on a classic tale that turns storytelling itself into the adventure.
As Little Red’s story unfolds, the Big Bad Wolf steps in—not as a villain, but as an editor—questioning, revising, and reshaping the narrative in real time. The result is a playful and surprising journey that keeps readers guessing.
This book brilliantly pulls back the curtain on how stories are written, revised, and improved. It invites readers to think critically about voice, perspective, and author choices—all while having a great time.
Perfect for budding writers, this story reminds us that every great story starts as a draft—and sometimes, even the wolf has a point!
Parent Education Corner: Respectful Communication Skills
All children are unique and special. They have unique personalities, interests, strengths, and experiences, each child’s uniqueness needs to be celebrated and respected.
A part of each child’s individuality is the way they interact with others. Some children are timid and watchful, while others are talkative and outgoing. As parents, it is our job to provide an environment where the child’s personality is recognized and respected and where they learn to communicate respectfully with others.
Respectful communication is fundamental to success. The communication skills they learn and practice with you will serve them well as they begin school and throughout their lives.
What you can do:
Demonstrate respectful behavior. Listen to what your child has to say. Get down on their level, look them in the eye, and let them know you are interested in what they are saying. This is the best way to teach your child to listen carefully to you and others.
Validate your child’s feelings. When you minimize your child’s feelings (“it’s not a big deal that your Spiderman shirt is dirty”) it shows your child that you do not appreciate their feelings. Acknowledge how your child feels (“I know it’s disappointing that your shirt is dirty, would you like the dinosaur or Superman shirt instead? Help me put the Spiderman shirt in the wash and you can wear it tomorrow.”). Respectful communication is developed when a child feels validated.
Teach polite responses. Your child can show respect and caring for others through good manners. As soon as they can communicate verbally, teach them to say “please” and “thank you.” Model by saying “please” and “thank you” to your preschooler.
Praise respectful communication. Reinforce your preschooler’s impromptu displays of respectful communication as much as possible. Be specific. The praise should describe the behavior in detail. Instead of saying “good girl” say “Thank you for saying please when you asked for a snack.” Let your child know that their efforts are worthwhile and appreciated.
Submitted by Kathi Hart, READ USA Lead Content Specialist