In less than two weeks, you can enjoy your favorite Whataburger meal AND support READ USA at the same time!
On Monday, August 4 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., eat at any Whataburger restaurant in Duval County – eight locations in total – and Whataburger will donate 20% of sales proceeds to READ USA.
Whata-opportunity, right?! (Especially on a Monday…does anyone really want to cook dinner on a Monday?!)
Whataburger has long been a supporter of education initiatives through Whataburger Feeding Student Success – including right here in Duval County – which focuses the company’s charitable giving at the intersection of food insecurity and education. The initiative funds Community Investments, College Resource Rooms, and Scholarships.
Locally, Whataburger has partnered with the Jacksonville Jaguars – also a READ USA sponsor and supporter – to host Literacy Locker Rooms at elementary schools in Duval County. Last year specifically, Whataburger sponsored the Literacy Locker Room at Beauclerc Elementary – and even went above and beyond by donating $1,000 to the school and providing free breakfast for the students!
And now, you can be a part of Whataburger’s support of students, teens, and teachers in Duval County on Monday, August 4!
From 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. that evening, visit any of these Whataburger locations – including dine-in, take-out/drive-thru, or catering – so 20% of your purchase’s proceeds go to READ USA’s mission:
- Normandy Village Parkway (7755 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32221)
- Old Middleburg Road (8239 Old Middleburg Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32244)
- Phillips Hwy (7165 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256)
- Mandarin (10600 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32257)
- Southside & Baymeadows (8325 Southside Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256)
- 103rd St. (6251 103rd St., Jacksonville, FL 32210)
- Beach Boulevard (8840 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32216)
- Atlantic Blvd & Kernan Blvd. N (11559 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32225)
- Neptune Beach (1201 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, FL 32266)
Thank you to Whataburger and Silvercreek Group, a local Whataburger franchisee, for providing this opportunity to READ USA!
We’ll see you all at a local Whataburger on August 4th!
Did you see us on News4Jax?
One of our fantastic teen tutors, Taylor Brown, joined our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly on Monday on The Morning Show at News4Jax!
Click the screenshot below to watch the segment.
Thank you to Anchor Melanie Lawson, who has been a longtime friend and supporter of READ USA, for inviting our team to join you on Monday. This was a particularly special visit for Taylor, who had her first visit to a TV station because of this appearance – and her mom was able to come along and join the fun!
Reminder: We are still hiring teens for the Fall semester! Click here to get the details and encourage teens to apply!
Thank you to Melanie Lawson and the News4Jax team for the warm welcome and fantastic discussion with Taylor and Dr. Kelly! We appreciate the opportunity to showcase our tutors and their hard work!
READ USA Board Member Ashley Goggins-Blue Becomes Hightower Fellow
Congratulations to our READ USA Board Member Ashley Goggins-Blue for recently being accepted into the Hightower Fellowship Class of 2025!
The Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship brings young leaders from across Jacksonville together with prominent and influential Jacksonville leaders who are giving back to the next generation – and Ashley was the perfect candidate for this opportunity:
“Every lesson I take from this experience, I intend to reinvest in my city,” she shared with us.
With deep roots in Jacksonville, Ashley has long been committed to making a difference in our community, and she has been a dedicated READ USA volunteer for many years.
Ashley received the Volunteer of the Year Award from READ USA in 2024.
“As a Jacksonville native, my heart has always been rooted in service and uplift. I pursued the Hightower Fellowship because I see it as an intentional space where driven professionals can come together to challenge one another, build authentic relationships, and deepen our commitment to the communities we serve,” shared Ashley. “Through the Fellowship, I hope to learn from seasoned leaders who have created meaningful change and build bonds with other emerging leaders who are just as committed to transforming Jacksonville for the better.”
As a multi-passionate entrepreneur, attorney, and community volunteer and advocate, Ashley understands deeply the challenges that Jacksonville currently faces—but just as importantly, it’s her vision for all that Jacksonville can be that drives her in her work:
“I envision a Jacksonville where every zip code thrives, where downtown is alive with culture and innovation, and where communities that were once overlooked are now centers of growth, opportunity, and pride. I see children from our most underserved neighborhoods reading at or above grade level, not because they beat the odds, but because we changed the odds for them.”
“The Hightower Fellowship helps nurture those very things. It equips people like me who are already doing the work with the tools, mentorship, and relationships to do it better, bolder, and together. Through this Fellowship, I’m not only gaining insights; I’m gaining allies in the mission to build a more equitable, vibrant Jacksonville for everyone.”
Team READ USA is honored to have you on our Board of Directors and for your years of volunteer service to not only our mission, but to the missions of multiple deserving organizations and causes across our city.
Congratulations on this opportunity, Ashley! We know you will continue to make a huge difference in the lives of many in our community!
Congratulations again, Vincent Taylor!
READ USA Board Member and 2025 Duval County Teacher of the Year Vincent Taylor is becoming a household name because of all these well-deserved accolades!
Last week at the Florida Department of Education’s Florida Teacher of the Year Gala, Vincent received the 2025 Excellence in Service Award! This award is presented to a teacher who goes above and beyond to make their community a better place, and Vincent demonstrates this commitment day in and day out across Duval County and far beyond.
“Vincent’s dedication to our students and our community is ever-present,” shared our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly. “His commitment to helping students and teachers is unparalleled and extends well beyond the classroom. But what’s incredible about Vincent is not only what he does as an educator, but how he does it: he makes learning interesting, entertaining, and fun – no matter the audience. He truly influences positive development in everyone he encounters, from students to fellow educators, administrators, and parents.”
Vincent is also embedded in the global community of educators. He is a published author, a renowned and highly sought-after public speaker, and the mastermind behind Cornbread, his children’s book series that teaches valuable lessons but in fun and relatable ways. The Cornbread character also makes in-person appearances at events across the community and state, instilling a love for words, literacy, and reading in children through music, lyrics, and “Rhythmic Reading with Rap.”
Congratulations again to Vincent on this well-deserved honor! We are thankful and honored to have you on Team READ USA and on Team Duval!
Volunteers Needed for Upcoming Back-to-School Events
Team READ USA is supporting or participating in multiple events in early August, and we need your help!
NEW Volunteer Opportunity: Support Duval County Public Schools!
Wednesday, August 6: DCPS Back-to-School Bash for Teachers & District Staff
Duval County Public Schools will host a celebratory Back-to-School Bash specifically for DCPS teachers and district staff on Wednesday, August 6 from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
READ USA is recruiting 20 volunteers to assist with welcoming teachers and staff, helping with seating, and misc. other tasks on-site. We have eight volunteers signed up, and we need 12 more volunteers to help!
Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (300 A Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32202) – INDOORS
Time for Volunteers: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Upcoming Free Book Events – All focused on Back-to-School!
There are two back-to-school events happening on Saturday, August 2 for which we need volunteer support, including:
Historic Eastside Back-to-School Event with Kids Hope Alliance and The Church of Oakland (Saturday, 8/2 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Location: Jacksonville Fairgrounds Expo Center (510 Fairgrounds Place) – indoors
Time for Volunteers: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (event is from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and set-up begins at 8:30 a.m.)
Needs: 3 volunteer slots remaining!
BEAM Back-to-School Event & READ USA Book Fair (Saturday, 8/2 from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.)
Location: Carver Recreation Center (777 5th Ave. South, Jacksonville Beach) – indoors
Time for Volunteers: Event is from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., so we need volunteers to help with set-up, running the book fair, and tear down:
Set-up: 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 4 volunteers needed for this slot!
Event support & tear down: 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Only 1 volunteer needed!
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers for helping make our presence at these events possible!
Children’s Book: America the Beautiful by Cholena Rose Dare
Illustrated by Katie Melrose
America the Beautiful, written by Cholena Rose Dare and illustrated by Katie Melrose, is a captivating children’s picture book that gracefully pays tribute to the United States’ cultural vibrancy, natural beauty, and patriotic spirit. Thoughtfully designed for early learners, this title is more than a visual treat: it’s an educational journey wrapped in vibrant colors and rhythmic storytelling. The book’s durable hardcover and thick, turn-friendly pages make it especially suited for young readers who are eager to explore the wonders of their country.
The book guides readers on a rich exploration of American life and landscape. It features a carefully written narrative divided into sections—such as America the Creative, America the Delicious, and America the Patriotic—and each section invites readers to discover historical landmarks, state birds and flowers, national parks, and important historical figures.
The inclusion of beloved patriotic anthems, including “America the Beautiful,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” adds a musical layer to the reading experience. Accompanying maps help visually anchor these concepts by highlighting key sites across the United States, reinforcing geography while sparking curiosity.
The illustrations by Katie Melrose are a strong feature. Rich in color and emotional depth, her artwork captures the grandeur and diversity of the American landscape, from amber waves of grain to bustling cityscapes and quiet natural wonders.
Melrose’s stunning visual storytelling brings warmth and vibrance to every page, creating an immersive experience that will captivate young minds and enhance comprehension through visual cues and symbolic detail.
Submitted by Judy Howard, M.Ed.
Parent Education Corner: Supporting Informational Texts at Home
Building upon our series about Informational Texts, here are more ways you can help your child confidently navigate Informational Texts:
Explore Text Features Together
Informational texts often include special tools that guide readers, such as headings, bold or italicized words, glossaries, captions, graphs, and diagrams. Sit with your child and examine these features before and during reading. Discuss how text features help their understanding. For example, “What does this chart show us?” or “Why do you think this word is in bold?”
Build Summarizing Skills
After reading a paragraph or section, pause and ask your child to summarize what they’ve learned in their own words. This helps your child break down the information, recall key details, and make sense of the big picture. Try questions like, “Can you tell me what that part was about?” or “What were the main points?”
Identify the Author’s Structure
Many non-fiction texts follow predictable structures, such as:
- Cause and Effect (What happened and why?)
- Compare and Contrast (How are things similar or different?)
- Problem and Solution (What’s the issue, and how was it solved?)
Help your child spot these patterns in the writing. Ask, “Is the author explaining a problem?” or “Are they comparing two ideas?” Recognizing structure helps students organize and retain the information they read.
Encourage Thoughtful Discussion
Ask open-ended questions that prompt deeper thinking and reflection. For instance:
- “What did you learn that you didn’t know before?”
- “Why do you think this information matters?”
- “How could you use this in real life?”
These conversations help your child read beyond the surface and connect what they are learning to bigger ideas and real-world meaning.
Submitted by Judy Howard, M.Ed.
Do you have any questions or ideas for the Parent Education Corner? Anything you’d like to learn? Let us know here!