Staff

Program Managers:

ROCHELLE REED

Program Manager, Sacramento

With passion for empowering children and their families and her commitment toward life long learning, Rochelle joined the Reading Partners Team in 2011 as Program Manager for the expanding Sacramento Region. Rochelle graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She’s traveled around the U.S. and abroad to work with at-risk youth in rural Alaska, California, Colorado, and New Zealand. As a seasoned classroom teacher, Program Coordinator for outdoor leadership and recreation, and previous Director for youth mentoring partnerships, Rochelle brings a diverse perspective reflecting the needs of struggling learners and the strengths in our schools and communities, to provide opportunities and resources to help all children recognize their true potential. Email Rochelle: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

JENNIFER WATSON

Program Coordinator, Sacramento

Jennifer Watson is very excited to be the Reading Partners Program Coordinator for the Sacramento region this year. She brings to Reading Partners a love for children and education. Jennifer received both her B.A. and M.A. in Education from San Jose State University and has been teaching since. Combining her knowledge of literacy intervention services and educational gaps she has worked in schools and with students independently to help students reach their goals and full potential. Jennifer comes to Reading Partners after spending almost two years teaching abroad. Seeing how other countries view education has increased her passion to provide as many students as possible with the resources they need for a strong foundation in learning. She appreciates Reading Partners’ vision and believes that they really are making a difference one student at a time. Email Jennifer: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

AmeriCorps Program:

KRISTARAE FLYNN

AmeriCorps Program Manager

After graduating from UC Berkeley, Kristarae continued serving the UC Berkeley community by advising hundreds of Cal students. Her passion and experience with leadership development was transferred into the non-profit sector with her work in the AmeriCorps program Public Allies San Francisco. Kristarae enters Reading Partners with a drive for creating innovative programming that will develop our future leaders – those who will inspire others and support the communities who have identified a need for change. Email Kristarae: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Outreach:

SALLEHA CHAUDHRY

Outreach Manager

While tutoring at an orphanage in West Africa, Salleha realized her passion for the nonprofit world and the need for education in urban and rural areas. She worked as an ESL tutor during college, while raising awareness and supporting St. Judes Children's Research Hospital. Salleha earned a B.A. in International Systems and Health with a minor in Neuroscience from Knox College. After a successful term as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with Reading Partners, she now oversees all volunteer outreach strategy for the organization, with a particular focus on California. She enjoys creating new partnerships within our communities. Email Salleha: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

KELSEY LAKOS

Outreach Coordinator

Kelsey graduated from Sacramento State University with a B.A. in Family Studies. Kelsey also studied Child Development, Psychology and Counseling. Her interests lie strongly with youth and their families. At present, her two career goals are to work for a non-profit and to teach at the community college level. Kelsey is a true leader and is committed to service. While attending Sac State, she served as President of the Diversity Club and volunteered with several different organizations on campus. She has excellent communication skills and enjoys working with the general public. Kelsey is motivated to engage community members to assist struggling readers. She values the mission of AmeriCorps in meeting critical community needs and feels she will make a positive difference in the lives of students and volunteers through outreach with Reading Partners. Email Kelsey: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Site Coordinators:

JENNY CAULEY

Site Coordinator, Thomas Edison

Jenny grew up in Singapore and moved to Sacramento in 1999. She has a degree in Business Administration from the Singapore Polytechnic and worked 12 years as Administration/HR Manager in a multi-national organization. Through her experiences volunteering at her son’s school, she understands that parents' involvement in school brings great rewards and has a significant impact on children's lives. Outside of her work at Reading Partners, she is an active parent volunteer serving as the Secretary on the School Site Council and an active member of the PTA. Email Jenny: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ERIN KERN

Site Coordinator, Babcock

Erin's background includes undergraduate studies in Child Development at Sacramento State University, where she received her B.A. in 2006. Recently, she completed her Masters Degree in Cross Cultural Education, as well as an Elementary Education Teaching Credential at National University's Sacramento Campus. During this process, Erin sought out different career paths, completing internships with both KVIE Public Television as an Education Intern and with DC Family connections as a Court Ordered Supervisor. She also worked for Sutter Memorial Hospital's Child Life Program. In addition, Erin has volunteered with several non-profit organizations including Project Play, Ride to Walk, and The Children's Bereavement Art Group of Sacramento. Erin is passionate about public education and is dedicated to helping our struggling readers develop necessary skills to become confident learners in their classrooms and beyond. Email Erin: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

HEBA RASHID

Site Coordinator, F.C. Joyce

Heba earned her Bachelor's degree from UC Davis, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Human Development. She took courses leading to a minor in Education that sparked her interest in working with schools as an on-campus psychologist. Heba gained experience by interning in classrooms and by volunteering in a mental health clinic. She hopes to continue her education in pursuit of a degree and/or credential in School Psychology. At present, Heba is eager to work with students through Reading Partners. She is prepared for the potential challenges of supporting and managing a growing group of community volunteers and is dedicated to helping struggling readers at FC Joyce gain confidence and independence as they develop critical literacy skills. Email Heba: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CHELSEY RUSSELL

Site Coordinator, Northwood

Chelsey earned a B.A. in American Studies and holds a CA Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She loves children and reading, and her enthusiasm is contagious! Chelsey aspires to become a reading specialist, and sees her role as Site Coordinator as a stepping-stone to network with like-minded individuals whose desire is to help those most in need of additional support and/or resources. Chelsey's passion is very clear and she is dedicated to doing her very best in the best interests of kids! Email Chelsey: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

JANET TAM

Site Coordinator, Williamson

Janet Tam is a Bay Area native who was drawn to Reading Partners due to her interest in educational policy. She brings to Reading Partners her life-long love for art, her knack for event planning, and her passion for closing the disparity gaps found across different communities. Janet received her B.A. in Economics and B.A. in Mass Communications from UC Berkeley in 2010, along with a minor in Public Policy. After serving in her first year as the Site Coordinator at Los Arboles Elementary in San Jose, CA, Janet is excited to be spending her second year of service as the Senior Site Coordinator at Williamson Elementary in Rancho Cordova, CA. She is looking forward to another inspiring year working for Reading Partners and making a difference in the lives of her students! Email Janet: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

SARAH TASSANO

Site Coordinator, Peter Burnett

Sarah Tassano is a native Sacramentan and is eager to give back to the community she grew up in. After graduating from Christian Brothers High School in 2000 she went on to Sacramento State where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 2004. After working in the private sector for three years she decided to return to school to earn her Masters degree and teaching credential. Sarah graduated from the University of Phoenix in 2009 with a Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis in elementary education. She also received her multiple subject teaching credential at that time. Sarah has experience working and interacting with elementary age children both in and out of the classroom. She has over a year of experience teaching adults in a self-contained classroom at the International Academy of Design & Technology in Sacramento. She is excited to once again be working with children in an academic environment. Sarah’s goal is to help students reach and achieve their full potential so they can become confident learners in the classroom. Email Sarah: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MICHELLE VOELKER

Site Coordinator, Caroline Wenzel

Michelle Voelker is a graduate of Sacramento State University with a degree in History and a minor in Geography. In addition to tutoring different age groups for a while, she has been coaching volleyball for girls in grades 4-12 for the past four years. She is excited to work for Reading Partners as a Site Coordinator so she can utilize her mentoring experience to improve the literacy skills of the kids she works with. Email Michelle: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

KAYCEE MOUA

Site Coordinator, Bret Harte

Kaycee Moua graduated from the University of the Pacific in 2007 with a B.A. in Diversified Liberal Studies with an emphasis in language and linguistics and a minor in Ethnic Studies. With her growing interest in education and linguistics, she went on to obtain her M.A. in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) in 2009. Her passion for literacy and education has allowed her to tutor ELL students in math and language arts, substitute teach, and travel to South Korea to teach English. She is excited to be a part of Reading Partners and enthusiastic to be able to connect with students and volunteers and use literature as a tool to build relationships and nurture literacy growth. Email Kaycee: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it