Meet Jeremy’s New Friend, Principal Katie Adkins

 

READ USA’s fictional storyteller and namesake of the Jeremy’s Journey book series recently published his latest story featuring the inspirational leader of Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary School, Principal Katie Adkins!

Jeremy sat down with Principal Adkins to learn her story and why she is so passionate about education, her students, and her community.

A Jacksonville native, Principal Adkins grew up in Mandarin when, at 12 years old, she knew she wanted to become a lifelong educator. Her U.S. History teacher, Miss Carson, made the subject so fun and interesting that her students felt they were part of the history she was teaching. “I was captured! That got me into education, and I never looked back,” declared Principal Adkins.

Throughout her 22-year career – which spanned teaching 3^rd and 4^th grade students and serving as a reading coach, assistant principal, and finally principal of Sally B. Mathis Elementary School before joining the newly built Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary – Principal Adkins has remained grounded in servant leadership. “You can’t lead others without wanting to serve them. It is important to put yourself in the other person’s shoes and find out where they want to go and how fast they want to get there. Then, help them achieve their goals,” she told Jeremy.

Photo courtesy of Duval County Public Schools.

Jeremy’s book about Principal Adkins’ is now available to order, but that’s not all!

Principal Adkins is also READ USA’s 2024 Peace in the Pages Marjorie Broward Memorial Scholarship Award Honoree! She, along with six other award honorees, will be recognized during our Peace in the Pages luncheon on Oct. 2, 2024. As the Marjorie Broward Memorial Scholarship Award Honoree, Principal Adkins will receive a $2,500 book grant, which – as she told Jeremy – will help her achieve her goal to, “take this brand-new, big school and increase the proficiency

of my students in reading and math – to develop well-rounded children, academically, socially and emotionally.”

Click below to order your copy of Principal Adkin’s story for $20 and view or order any other Jeremy’s Journey volume from the past two years. You can obtain a full year’s volume set for $240.

 

Junior Lit Chat Fun at the Library!

This past weekend, the READ USA team participated in some family fun at the Jacksonville Public Library!

On Saturday, the Library invited local children’s book author Brittany Jones – who recently published her first children’s book, Mike the Friendly Firefighter: The Wild Car Fire – for a Lit Chat with local children and special guests, including Mayor Donna Deegan!

 

During the event, Brittany discussed her new book and how it was inspired by her late fiancée, Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Dept. firefighter Mike Freeland. She also gave free copies of her book to the first 50 children in attendance, while READ USA also distributed free books – including copies of Mayor Donna Deegan’s very own Jeremy’s Journey book!

Learn more about Brittany Jones, her book, and the Library’s Lit Chat events here.

Many thanks to the Jacksonville Public Library and Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers Challenge for inviting READ USA to participate – and a special thank you to Brittany Jones for being such an inspirational speaker, writer, and citizen! 

Tracy Suter Joins READ USA Team

Please join us in welcoming Tracy Suter – our new Bookkeeping and Compliance Coordinator who has a deep passion for books and childhood education – to the READ USA team!

In her role, Tracy is responsible for supporting READ USA program directors with tracking grant-funded program budgets and reporting on program expenditures, ensuring alignment and compliance with grant requirements. She also supports READ USA leadership with new employee onboarding, payroll, and general accounting duties.

Prior to READ USA, Tracy worked at the Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library within the Jacksonville Public Library system as a customer experience associate in the children’s department. Driven by her love for books and reading, Tracy helped library patrons identify and procure materials relevant to their interests and age-appropriate reading levels. She also played an active role in moderating youth programs and promoting the library’s programming and resources within the community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Jacksonville Public Library.

Before joining the Jacksonville Public Library, Tracy ran her own virtual assistant company and supported small business owners with website, email marketing, bookkeeping, and administrative tasks. She previously performed similar responsibilities as a virtual assistant for First Coast Virtual Assistants, providing ongoing administrative support and managing short-term projects for business executives and their teams.

Tracy has a passion for childhood education, and from 2011-2019, she homeschooled her children through elementary school and taught a range of classes for multiple other children through a homeschool co-op. During this time, she also volunteered in a number of leadership roles with MOPS, an international nonprofit that supports mothers of young children through peer-support groups and other resources. She also served as a manager and educational coordinator for the Old Florida Museum in St. Augustine, which offers an interactive, hands-on museum experience for school groups, where she was responsible for nearly all day-to-day operations.

Tracy is known among her family and friends to participate in various reading challenges throughout the year while cultivating a passion for reading with her children. She frequently reads with her children – last year, they finished the Harry Potter series together – and she is an avid listener of audio books. Tracy earned her bachelor’s in human development with a concentration on early childhood education from Cornell University.

#ICYMI: Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole on Looking Back, to Go Forward

“I strongly believe that each of us – no matter how differently we present to the world – each of us, in some strong measure, is who we are because of who we have been.” -Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole

#ICYMI: Last month, the legendary Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole – who will be our keynote speaker at this year’s Peace in the Pages event on Oct. 2, 2024 – took the time to visit READ USA Literacy Tutoring and meet with the teen tutors, teachers, and students at Lake Lucina Elementary School. During the inspirational visit that captivated the room full of budding young minds, Dr. Cole also sat down with our CEO Dr. Rob Kelly to discuss her experiences and perspectives on life, literacy – and the importance of knowing where you come from.

Of particular relevance during Black History Month, Dr. Cole reflected on her family’s legacy in Northeast Florida and the importance of, “looking back in order to go forward.”

Watch Dr. Cole address how it was not only her family who helped raise her in Jacksonville:

 

Dr. Cole addressed many other important topics that we look forward to sharing in the future. We are immensely grateful for Dr. Cole’s embrace of READ USA’s work in the community!