Before elementary students arrive for their first week of READ USA Literacy Tutoring, another group is already hard at work: our teen tutors and AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders.

This week, READ USA's teen tutors and AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders returned to their school sites across 14 Duval County elementary schools to prepare for the year ahead. Alongside READ USA's program teachers, they're getting classrooms ready, organizing tutor boxes, preparing student folders, and making sure the materials they will need are in place before welcoming young readers next week.

But preparing for a year of Literacy Tutoring involves much more than getting a classroom ready.

This year, teen tutors and AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders are beginning their Workforce Development experience with READ USA's new Workforce Development Participant Workbook, a 12-session curriculum designed to build the habits, skills, and confidence that will support them as tutors, professionals, and leaders. Throughout the year, participants will strengthen skills in professional communication, teamwork and conflict resolution, problem solving and critical thinking, digital and financial literacy, career planning, leadership, mentorship, and more.

Their first three Workforce Development sessions focus on team culture and site norms, leadership and reflection, and professional communication. Through hands-on activities and conversations with their peers, participants will identify the strengths they bring to a team, explore their individual leadership styles, establish expectations for working together, and practice professional communication skills they can carry into school, work, and future opportunities.

As the workbook reminds participants at the beginning of their journey:

“You are not just a tutor. You are becoming a leader.”

That message reflects an important part of READ USA's model. While our teen tutors and AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders are helping younger students strengthen their literacy skills, they're also gaining meaningful work experience and developing skills of their own. As they learn to communicate professionally, work as a team, receive feedback, solve problems, and lead others, they're building a foundation that can support them in college, careers, and beyond.

At each school site, they are supported by READ USA's program teachers, including two Teachers of Content and one Teacher of Organization, who are also busy preparing for the start of tutoring and creating the structure and environment participants and students will need to succeed.

Soon, all of that preparation will be put into action.

Next week, elementary students will arrive, take their seats alongside their tutors, and another year of READ USA Literacy Tutoring will officially begin. Until then, our teen tutors, AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders, and program teachers are making sure they're ready to welcome them.

Continuing a Tradition of Leadership: Tabetha West Joins Leadership Jacksonville 

Congratulations to Tabetha West, READ USA’s Chief Program Officer, on being selected for the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2027!

Tabetha joins a new class of leaders from across Northeast Florida for a year-long experience focused on community, connection, and leadership.

Founded in 1977, Leadership Jacksonville’s flagship program brings together leaders from across the community to strengthen their leadership skills, deepen their understanding of Northeast Florida, and engage in meaningful dialogue with individuals representing different industries, experiences, and perspectives.

Throughout the program, class members explore issues affecting the region while building relationships and considering how their own leadership can contribute to a stronger community.

“Being selected for Leadership Jacksonville’s Class of 2027 during its Golden Year—celebrating 50 years of developing and connecting leaders across our city—is both an incredible honor and an invitation to grow. Already, this experience has challenged me to take an honest look at my own leadership: where I am strong, where I need to stretch, and how I can better use my influence in service to others.

What has been most compelling to me is the collective impact of the 58 leaders in this class. We serve, work, and lead across nearly every sector of Jacksonville, and when you consider the people, organizations, and communities touched by those 58 spheres of influence, the potential is phenomenal. At the same time, we are being challenged to look beyond the work happening within our individual spaces and examine the needs and gaps that remain across our community.” Shared Tabetha.

For READ USA, Tabetha's selection also continues a special tradition within our executive leadership team. President & CEO Dr. Robert Kelly, Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2025, and Chief Operating Officer Holden Scyster, Class of 2026, have each experienced the program firsthand. Now, Tabetha continues that tradition as a member of the Class of 2027.

Their participation across three consecutive classes reflects a shared commitment to learning, collaboration, and community leadership—values that are deeply connected to our work. As we continue partnering with schools, businesses, leaders, and organizations throughout Northeast Florida, those relationships and perspectives help strengthen our ability to serve children, teens, and families.

“I am looking forward to a year of growth, reflection, action, and—most importantly—results. Fifty years of Leadership Jacksonville have brought us to this Golden Year, and I am incredibly proud to be part of the Class of 2027 as we consider not only what kind of leaders we want to become, but what we will do together with the opportunity we have been given.” Tabetha added.

We look forward to following Tabetha's Leadership Jacksonville journey and seeing the relationships, experiences, and ideas she brings back to Team READ USA and the communities we serve.

Congratulations to Tabetha and the entire Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2027!

Want to look back at READ USA's Leadership Jacksonville journey? Read about Dr. Robert Kelly's Class of 2025 experience and Holden Scyster's Class of 2026 experience. 

Meet Our AmeriCorps VISTAs

Introducing AJ, Logistics and Scaling Associate   

For Antwanisha “AJ”, joining READ USA as an AmeriCorps VISTA is the latest chapter in a journey that began when she was just 16 years old.

AJ originally came to READ USA looking for her first job and an opportunity to begin earning her own money. But as she became more involved with the organization, she discovered something much bigger.

"Once I dived deeper into the program and learned more about the mission, I fell in love. I loved what READ USA offered for students and teens."

Today, AJ is continuing that journey as READ USA's AmeriCorps VISTA Logistics & Scaling Associate, where she's getting a new perspective on the organization she first experienced as a teen. Working behind the scenes, AJ is learning more about the planning, operations, and coordination that make READ USA's programs possible while helping develop resources that can support the organization's work and continued growth.

Her service year also connects closely with where she hopes to go next. A Jacksonville native, AJ is currently studying K–6 Education at Florida State College at Jacksonville, where she is working toward her associate degree. She plans to transfer to the University of North Florida to earn her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.

Get to Know AJ

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Studying: K–6 Education at Florida State College at Jacksonville, with plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at the University of North Florida.

Why READ USA? What began as a job at 16 became an opportunity to grow professionally, strengthen her own literacy skills, and become part of a mission supporting students and teens.

Favorite childhood book: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo.

Outside of READ USA: Spending time with friends, going to the movies, trying new foods and places, and going to the gym.

Fun fact: She was supposed to be born on Thanksgiving Day!

You may also recognize AJ from a recent READ USA feature! She joined Dr. Rob Kelly for a local news interview highlighting READ USA’s work in the community. Watch the interview here.

From experiencing READ USA as a teen to now helping strengthen its work behind the scenes, AJ brings a unique perspective to her year of service. We're excited to have her continue growing with READ USA while helping build systems that can support even more students and teens in the future!

Children’s Book:  Give Your Park a Spark by Anna A.P. 

What would you say if we had a way for your little one to learn and have fun at the same time?

Give Your Park a Spark is a touching story that will raise environmental awareness in your kids.  
It will help them understand the consequences of pollution and the importance of protecting planet Earth.

Ben and his best friend, Blinker, are about to spend the day at the park. But when they get there, they notice something is wrong. Their playground is littered with garbage, the trees are covered in trash, and the grass and flowers are drowning in food waste. Ben and Blinker will not ignore the mess but will do anything to make their park shine again.

Give Your Park a Spark invites children to become aware of the things we do every day that damage or pollute the environment and at the same time it shows how by joining together we can make a difference in our community and enjoy the resources that the planet offers us.