California Reading Literacy Project George Washington Carver

Near Us

"2/3 of fourth graders who struggle to read volition cease upwardly in jail or on welfare."

- WriteExpress Corporation, Accessed June 2015

READ United states of america began as a voluntary projection created by Ellen Wiss and teacher Vanessa Tussey at George Washington Carver Elementary School in Duval County, Florida. While tutoring in Vanessa's classroom, Ellen witnessed the gains from some of the most struggling students. She became hopeful and passionate about expanding the impact for transformational change in 1 severely impoverished neighborhood and asked Vanessa what was needed about. Vanessa'due south response: "Books of involvement to my students that inspire them to read, books they tin choose and own. Reading is key to learning." They raised funds to concur a gratuitous, colorful volume fair with thousands of new, popular and culturally sensitive titles that every student could cull to build their home libraries. As demand and back up grew, annual READ USA book fairs expanded to every public uncomplicated schoolhouse in Duval County as well as for younger children at other sites. READ Us is poised to serve throughout Florida and beyond.

In 2019, a grant from Jacksonville'due south Kids Promise Alliance enabled READ U.s. to pilot an intensive research-based Peer to Peer reading tutoring intervention that provided jobs to teens with training, supervision and professional person workforce development skills. One on ane tutoring resulted in significant reading gains by both the teen tutors and the students they taught. Jacksonville Academy, University of North Florida, and Ohio State University take been evaluation partners to verify, certificate and aid with expansion of the program's testify-based positive outcomes. READ USA has expanded this program twelvemonth after yr, now providing Teen Tutoring year-round.

READ USA – laser focused on closing the reading gap
opens pathways for children with book selection and ownership, peer to peer reading tutoring intervention, multi-cultural literacy programming, and professional literacy education development for educators. READ United states has evolved into a powerful force for positive alter, impacting grade level reading proficiency, workforce development and building a various teacher pipeline, all with the goal of establishing an equitable and permanent culture of literacy for lifelong learning, social justice, freedom and prosperity.

Tia Leathers

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Tia comes to the system with 20 years' management experience in the nonprofit and public sectors, and believes the keys to success in any environment include constructive advice and potent relationships – especially on behalf of children.

Tia earned her Bachelor of Science caste in Communications/Public Relations from the Academy of Northward Florida. She has since earned her Master of Business Administration degree, completed a Developing Managerial Effectiveness program at The Pennsylvania State University, and a Strategic Frameworks for Nonprofit Organizations programme at Harvard University.  She is nationally-certified in Cultural Intelligence and Unconscious Bias, and is the Founder and CEO of Writejustness, LLC where she also provides writing and training services.  Tia also enjoys teaching as an Offshoot Professor of Business organization Communications and Group and Team Dynamics for Edward Waters University'due south Accelerated Degree Plan.

Tia is a Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2017 graduate, co-creation team fellow member for the My Village Project, a board member for Educating Minorities Virtually Transplants (EMAT) and has served as an ex-officio board fellow member for the Jacksonville Public Library for the past 4 years.  She is the "Services to Youth" Chairperson for the Bold Metropolis (FL) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Tia is the proud female parent of 1 girl, Taige, and is a lifelong fellow member of St. Stephen AME Church building.

Tia has been a longstanding supporter for READ United states of america throughout one of the most challenging times in didactics past assisting during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Check out the commodity hither, and mind to her read one of her favorite books while in her part at DCPS, " Goin' Someplace Special ," during her participation with READ United states'southward Multicultural Literacy Project!  READ USA is Goin' Someplace Special indeed!

Robert Kelly, Ph.D.

Chief Academic Officer (CAO)

Dr. Robert Kelly joined the READ squad in June 2021 as Chief Operating Officer. For many years, Dr. Kelly worked in various roles in Duval County Public Schools (Jacksonville, FL), including elementary schoolhouse teacher, school literacy specialist, and commune literacy specialist. In 2017, he completed his Ph.D. in Reading and Literacy in Early and Heart Childhood at The Ohio Country University. His inquiry interests are grounded in early literacy, reading intervention, and children's literature. Before joining READ USA, Dr. Kelly was an Assistant Professor of Literacy Education and Reading Center Director at Jacksonville Academy.

Tabetha Cox

Managing director of Tutoring

Tabetha joined the READ Us team in October 2021, as the Director of Tutoring. Tabetha grew up in California and was emancipated from the foster care system at the age of 16. Since and so, her focus has been lifelong learning and seeking a highly literate earth for children in poverty. A veteran of the U.Due south. Navy, Tabetha served vii years on active duty as a Military machine Law Officer and Trainer. Serving before, during, and subsequently the terrorist attacks of ix/11, she played an integral role in the training, preparation, and upscaling of physical security, anti-terrorism, and force protection measures both stateside and overseas. She met her husband, Josh, during dual service in Italia.

Later on her service, Tabetha earned a Bachelor'southward in Teaching from Pensacola State College, and a Master'south caste in Educational Leadership from University of Phoenix. She has covered various roles throughout Escambia and Duval County Public Schools including Pre-K through fourth grade classroom teacher, Reading Motorbus, and mentor teacher to interns and college level educators, all in Title i schools. She was awarded teacher of the year at Sadie T. Tillis in 2018 and earned a spot as a tiptop v finalist for Duval'due south teacher of the year. In addition, she has served on the Duval Literacy Association Board since 2014 and is the current Vice President.

Her family is her greatest joy, and her abode is never quiet. Tabetha and Josh have 10 children, some who joined their family through adoption. They accept seven daughters: Hayley, Audrey, Patience, Desarae, Julie, Sydney, and Kaitlyn; and 3 sons: Corbin, Kenneth, and Connor. Obviously, the girls rule the house! Her husband, Josh, is a Senior Master who works for Navy Region Southeast Security Inspection Team. Their family loves moving picture nights, lath games, baseball game, and soccer. Mrs. Cox reads at least an hour a day and believes that reading is the key to freedom and selection.

OUR BOARD

Ellen A. Wiss

Co-Founder, President, Lath Chair

Ellen is a real estate management/marketing professional (President, Homkor Florida) and community volunteer. She has led several nonprofit efforts in the areas of education and social justice.  She serves every bit Co-Chair of Florida Women's Funding Alliance (an affinity group of The Florida Philanthropic Network), President Emeritus of the Women'south Giving Alliance, Founder/President of READ Usa, Inc., and serves the boards of City Year, Jacksonville Public Teaching Fund, Teach For America, Hubbard House Foundation, Earth Diplomacy Council, serves the Steering Committees for Beaches Customs Fund, Jacksonville Women's Leadership Initiative, Mayor'due south Youth at Piece of work Partnership, serves the Kids Hope Brotherhood Literacy Task Force, and serves as a trustee fellow member of Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. She is a leader for Lift Jax (formerly #nopovertyjax), an all sector movement aligned with global, national and state 2030 agendas around the common agenda for eradicating poverty in all of its forms. Ellen collaborates with other nonprofits working to improve literacy, education and health opportunities for low-income youth and families, women and girls. Ellen, is married to husband Jim and has three children.

Vanessa Tussey

Co-Founder, Lath Vice Chair

In 2009, Vanessa Tussey was placed at George Washington Carver Elementary Schoolhouse as a Teach For America Corps Member. She stayed beyond her two-year Teach For America commitment, teaching at the schoolhouse for three years. During her time pedagogy in this loftier-needs, high-poverty schoolhouse, she was selected Teacher of the Year by her peers, with her students enjoying some of the highest learning gains in the district. She led students to achieve outstanding growth and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Facing a severe upkeep crisis, she wrote grants and raised money to purchase needed classroom books, supplies, and engineering. She worked with Ellen Wiss to bring George Washington Carver its first ever book fair, providing every student with books to read over the summertime. In 2016, Vanessa graduated from the Ohio State Academy Moritz College of Law at the tiptop of her class. While in law school, she served as a Education Assistant, educational activity a form on the Civil Rights Motility to undergraduate students alongside the President of Ohio State University and the Dean of the law school. Vanessa clerked for the Honorable William P. Dimitrouleas, U.S. Commune Courtroom, Southern District of Florida. She is an associate in the Ft. Lauderdale role of Boies Schiller Flexner. She is fiercely passionate almost READ United states of america's mission and the transformational impact she has seen immediate.

Dr. Rudy Jamison, Jr.

Board Secretarial assistant

Dr. Rudy F. Jamison Jr. is a native of Jacksonville, FL and proud graduate of Jean Ribault Sr. High School, Florida A&1000 University, and Academy of North Florida. Dr. Jamison currently works as faculty and Banana Director of the Eye for Urban Instruction and Policy in University of North Florida'south Higher of Teaching and Human Services. His academic interests include: Black leadership development, customs organizing, diversification of instructor didactics, culturally responsive teaching/leadership, career mobility, developmental relationships, cocky-monitoring, and nigrescence.

Dr. Jamison co-authored the book, "Never Forget Who You lot Are: Conversations About Racism and Identity Evolution" with Rodney L. Hurst, Sr.

Dr. Jamison also is a leader with Elevator JAX, the all sector move to eradicate poverty and lift upwardly the Historic Out Eastward Neighborhood

He is committed to advancing consciousness effectually equity, racism, and social justice in ways that assess, challenge, and support a more virtuous humanity.

Greg Burton

Greg Burton is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. He attended Southern Academy in Billy Rouge and was later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the The states Ground forces, until he was honorable discharged in 1993. Greg moved to Jacksonville in 1990 where he subsequently attended Edward Waters College and culminated his education at Jacksonville University receiving a Chief of Education degree. Greg joined the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in 1994 as a police officeholder. During his 25 years with the Jacksonville Sheriff'south Role, Greg has worked in various positions every bit a police officer, sergeant, and lieutenant. Greg has served on the administrative staffs of old Sheriff and now Congressman John Rutherford, and current Sheriff Mike William where he attained the rank of Partition Main. Chief Burton retired in 2020 and currently enjoys his life serving the customs with his wife Lakesha and traveling. Greg has many hobbies, archery, golf and reading, but his greatest pleasure comes from helping others. He is an active member of the Jacksonville community, where serves in diverse organizations, near notably,

• Hopewell Church building (Board Member)

• Blastoff Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.,

• Leadership Jacksonville

• Tesha's Easily, Inc. and of class

• Read U.s., Inc.

Greg is happily married to LaKesha Burton, they have five children and five grandchildren.

Lakesha Burton

Lakesha Burton is the Assistant Chief of Community Date and a 20-year veteran of the Jacksonville Sheriff'south Office. She holds the distinctions of having been the 2nd African American woman to obtain the rank of police lieutenant and 4th African American woman to be appointed as a member of the Sheriff'southward staff to Assistant Principal in the 190-twelvemonth history of Jacksonville Law Enforcement agencies. She is the former First Female Executive Managing director of the Police force Athletic League of Jacksonville in over 48 years of its existence. PAL is 501(c) (3) youth serving organization.
Chief Burton is a native of Miami, Florida. She moved to Jacksonville with her family as a young child where she began her secondary education. Chief Burton excelled in sports, particularly basketball game and upon graduation from Wolfson High Schoolhouse she received a basketball scholarship to nourish the Lake Metropolis Community College. After two years and earning an associate's degree she accepted a scholarship to the University of Cardinal of Florida where she later graduated with a bachelor's degree in Criminology. Main Burton was hired past the Jacksonville Sheriff's Function in 1999. She speedily established herself every bit one of Jacksonville'southward finest on and off of the job. She has worked in a multitude of areas including the patrol division, community affairs, recruiting, detectives division and the field preparation unit, to name a few. Primary Burton continued her educational activity, earning a Master's Caste in Criminology from Florida Metropolitan University in 2002, and she is currently working on her last degree in Christian Counseling. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors and a lifelong member of Hopewell Church. Principal Burton is married to Assistant Chief Gregory Burton and they accept five children, ranging from ages 9 to xxx

Roxy Garcia Marcus

Roxanna "Roxy" Garcia Marcus is a non-profit professional person with more than 15 years' feel working in everything from programming and fundraising to operations and human being resources.  While her professional feel is varied, information technology is always centered around problem-solving, squad building, creativity, and people. She loves developing new systems and programs, building relationships, working on challenging projects in a team environment, and making certain everyone has a proficient time in the process.  Her professional goals are to do good and have fun. Roxy has a bachelor'south in public relations from the University of Florida and a master's in organizational leadership from The George Washington University.  She is currently serving as a People Business Partner for City Year where she provides offices with support and guidance around effective performance management, squad culture and people development. Having previously lived in Chicago and Washington, DC, Roxy says aside from the beautiful weather, her favorite thing about Jacksonville is how sincere and accessible people are. "This is the kind of city where you feel like you tin can truly brand a difference," she says. She and her hubby Ben Marcus live in Mandarin with their three young children and almost Labrador named Ellie.

Moné Holder

Moné Holder is the Senior Programme Manager at The New Florida Bulk; an independent organization working to increase the voting and political power of marginalized and excluded constituencies toward an inclusive, equitable, and just Florida. She is as well a fellow member of The New Florida Majority'due south Senior Leadership Team.

Moné graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida A&Yard University, receiving a Primary's caste in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Political Scientific discipline. Ms. Holder has over a decade of policy experience which stems from her work in the Florida Business firm of Representatives Democratic office, and as a staffer for members of the legislature in the Florida House and Senate.

As a strong advocate for civil rights, expanding democracy, and issues that directly impact communities of color; Moné has been covered by media outlets nationally and throughout the state of Florida.

Moné has served on the Board of Trustees for the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry as well equally an at-large member of The Women's Giving Brotherhood Steering Committee. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Friends In Demand Children's Center and At-The-Table. Ms. Holder is an active member of the Jacksonville Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Jodie Leach

Jodie Leach is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated with a B.S. in Advertising with High Honors from the Academy of Florida and began her professional career every bit an Business relationship Executive with Southern Bell. During her virtually v years in this position, Southern Bell recognized Jodie as one of the highest performing account executives both locally and in the region. Afterward having her children, Jodie focused on volunteer leadership positions, serving on several local boards ranging from the Parent Teacher Clan (PTA) at her children's schoolhouse to Let The states Play, a private foundation focused on improving girls' health and self-esteem through participation in sports. She used her sales skills to help organizations focus on identifying donors and creating tailored messaging to garner financial support.

In 2004 Jodie re-joined the professional workforce at United Way with the RealSense Prosperity Entrada. She created strategic partnerships with the local business community to identify service end-users and recruit community volunteers for the new and unique initiative aimed at bringing Earned Income Taxation Credits into the local community. In its third twelvemonth, the RealSense Campaign was recognized every bit ane of the most effective programs in the state of Florida serving the population living at or below the poverty level. Following her work with United Way, Jodie joined the Communities In Schools team part-time to work with staff and the board to create their showtime local annual giving program. The success of this annual giving plan allowed Communities In Schools to grow their school-based example direction and mentoring programs beyond original grant funding, adding services in more than schools to more children.

During her virtually two decade-long career in fund evolution, Jodie has worked on successful capital and annual giving campaigns from planning and design to implementation and success. In improver to Communities In Schools, clients include the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Down's syndrome Association, Duval County Instructor of the Year/Boil Awards, The Discovery School, JASMYN and Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS). Jodie's work is rooted in a passion for connecting the capital and programmatic needs of an organisation with the philanthropic goals of donors and investors to create the greatest positive
customs impact. Jodie has been married to Eric Leach, a local chaser, for 33 years. She has a son and daughterand a new granddaughter.

Carmen North

With over ix years of feel in the manufacture, Carmen's arroyo to wealth management planning is consultative, comprehensive, with a focus on her client's life priorities. I of her focuses is on corporate retirement plans and insurance strategies. Carmen was awarded the Chartered Retirement Plans SpecialistSM designation by the Higher for Financial Planning.  She has also earned the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® designation as well as the Accredited Wealth Management AdvisorSM designation. A University of Key Florida graduate, Carmen is as well passionate about giving back to her community. Carmen is a board member for the Nassau Canton Economic Development Board and previously served every bit a lath member for Communities in School of Nassau County. Because she feels education is key to making the nearly of all of life'due south experiences, she spends time volunteering in her community every bit often as she tin can. Her family likewise shares her passion for making their community a better place; many times her three daughters are besides volunteering right next to her.

LaKeisha Wells-Palmer

"LaKeisha Wells-Palmer comes to the role of Executive Managing director of Teach For America Jacksonville with 18 years of experience in education, serving as a champion for principals, teachers, and students. She has spent the last eight years on the Teach For America Jacksonville team, near recently as the Managing Manager of Program Continuum. Originally from Sumter, Southward Carolina, LaKeisha is a proud graduate of THE celebrated Shaw University, where she double majored in Mathematics and Secondary Math Education. She taught high schoolhouse math in Raleigh, NC at William One thousand. Enloe Gifted and Talented Magnet/IB Loftier Schoolhouse for half dozen years before moving to the D.C./Maryland area where she taught Algebra 1 and Geometry for one year at Greenbelt Heart School in Prince George's County, Maryland. She likewise served two years equally a school turnaround instructional specialist for mathematics, science, and exploratory sciences at John P. Sousa Middle School in Washington D.C. prior to being named Assistant Main and later interim chief at Sousa Centre School. In addition to Bachelor'southward degrees in mathematics and secondary education, LaKeisha holds a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and School Assistants from East Carolina Academy.

LaKeisha lives in Jacksonville with her 13 twelvemonth old son, Isaiah, 8 year erstwhile son, Taylor, 2 yr old son, Liam, and husband Donte. A respected leader in her community and across Florida, LaKeisha is appointed to three Florida Department of Educational activity committees by the country's Deputy Chancellor of Education. Her personal values are centered on family, friendship, partnership, achievement, loyalty, and community, and she strives to keep these values present in all aspects of her life both professionally and personally. LaKeisha cares deeply well-nigh all students and hopes the students beyond Duval County meet teachers, schoolhouse leaders, and customs leaders as their sense of possibility and know that they stand as a united front working to open up up pathways of opportunity for them, equally many before have done.

Tina Wirth

Tina Wirth has been working in the Economical Evolution and Nonprofit sectors for more than 20 years. Most recently, she was SVP of Talent Advancement at the Charleston Metro Chamber, supporting regional alignment between education and industry through research and partnerships. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Education and Workforce Development for the JAXUSA Partnership, a division of the JAX Bedroom focused upon business organisation attraction, growth and sustainability. Other employment posts include Duval County Public Schools, the City of Jacksonville and Projection HIRED.

Her consulting clients include The Customs Foundation for Northeast Florida, United Way, Duval County Public Schools, 100 Black Men of Jacksonville, Junior League Jacksonville and several local initiatives based upon literacy, racial disinterestedness and social justice, all with a workforce evolution angle. Tina holds her bachelor's caste in Communications from the University of N Florida.   She is thrilled to be in service to READ USA equally a board member.

NEWS

Watch Videos, Heed to Podcast Interviews and read articles on how Read U.s.a. Inc. is changing lives!

morrisonwhicagoers.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.readusainc.com/about