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By Kelsey Cross, AmeriCorps program coordinator with Reading Partners Tulsa

Before being an Americorps member with Reading Partners, I was a one-on-one paraprofessional with Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) in 2019. I moved into a teaching assistant role when we returned to school after COVID-19. I found Reading Partners at Owen Elementary, where I worked as a teaching assistant. I was able to make a connection with the AmeriCorps program coordinator (PC). She showed me her reading center and gave me an overview of the PC role. I was very interested! I had a huge heart for the students who needed one-on-one support and quickly decided to apply. Just a few short weeks later, I had my first phone interview and went on to being recruited for the following program year!

I have loved the last three years serving with Reading Partners! Our students love this program, and it’s truly something that they look forward to every week. We can let our students be themselves in our reading centers, which alone does wonders for their growth in reading.

Our students are the best part of serving with Americorps at Reading Partners. The relationships I get to form with them are unmatched. I get to see them gain confidence as they master new skills. I have heard how teachers see the change in students’ willingness to participate in the classroom. As an AmeriCorps program coordinator, I get to be a part of helping students unlock an entirely new way of taking on the world, and that’s powerful! Giving our students the foundation of literacy sets them up for success in every area of their lives. They might not see it that way right now, but they will remember us in 20 years when they think back to elementary school. I am honored to be a part of those memories for my students! 

Kelsey (right) with other members of the Reading Partners Tulsa team and the Tulsa Junior Oilers

Reading Partners has given me many opportunities to learn and grow professionally. We’ve had training on resume writing, interviewing, job applications, and more. I am very grateful for the skills I’ve gained from those experiences, and I feel highly confident about moving forward with my professional career. 

After Reading Partners, I plan to start at Clary Sage College to pursue my dream of becoming a nail technician and owning my own nail studio. I now feel confident in my skills as a future business owner! Reading Partners has pushed me to try new things and step out of my comfort zone. I know how to trust my skill set and continue to learn and grow. I can thank Reading Partners for its value of a growth mindset!

If you are someone who wants to feel like you’re making a difference, Reading Partners is absolutely the place you should choose to serve! Not only will you be able to help students gain critical literacy and life skills, but you will also be in a workplace filled with undying support and love from your fellow Americorps members and Reading Partners staff. This is the best place for ALL kinds of people. You WILL be valued! 

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Header image: Kelsey (middle) and two staff members at Macarthur Elementary