Reading Partners South Carolina is a nonprofit organization that engages community volunteers to provide students with the proven, individualized reading support they need to read at grade level by fourth grade. We seek to create a more equitable future, one where every child in South Carolina has the support they deserve to become strong readers and lifelong learners.
Reading Partners South Carolina is powered by AmeriCorps, a federal agency for national service. We mobilize AmeriCorps members to recruit and coach volunteers, support students during and outside of tutoring sessions, work on capacity-building projects, and so much more.Â
Meet our team
Dyrell joins Reading Partners with more than 15 years of experience as a nonprofit leader with a strong track record of executing results. A Brooklyn, New York native and AmeriCorps alum, Dyrell has always had a passion for leadership and serving the community. Most recently, Dyrell served as a site director for Saga Education (specifically the Charleston region), a national education nonprofit that leverages dedicated staff and AmeriCorps members to provide high-impact, in-school tutoring. Previously, Dyrell served at City Year Columbia, in various capacities over the years, including as the interim vice president and executive director, director of student impact, and senior program manager. In each of these roles, Dyrell helped to lead and develop a full-time staff and team of 24 City Year AmeriCorps members to implement Whole School, Whole Child programming, which includes working with all students through Tier 1 initiatives. Dyrell attended Benedict College where he received his Bachelors in Business Management. While in college he became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., which led to his unwavering dedication to service. After graduating from college, Dyrell decided to further his education at Webster University and received his Masters in Counseling. We are especially excited about the fact that Dyrell started his career as an AmeriCorps member, serving at City Year Columbia. Also, Dyrell is passionate about our REDI work at Reading Partners and how it can support our students.
Lucas has been in education for over 20 years. She graduated with a bachelorâs degree from the College of Charleston. Before coming to Reading Partners, she taught first, second, and third grades in North and South Carolina. In addition, she was the director of admissions and recruitment for a small nonprofit college. As a program manager, Lucas brings a wealth of knowledge to Reading Partners and the volunteers and schools with which she works.
Kelly brings over a decade of education and leadership experience to Reading Partners. Prior to her role as program director, Kelly was a Reading Partners program manager in the South Carolina region. In this role, she had an opportunity to work with schools to implement the Reading Partners Program and saw great gains among the students that were served. Even before that she was an elementary school principal in a Title 1 school, had experience teaching grades K-5 during her tenure as an elementary school teacher, and also helped create and lead an alternative education program that she named LEAP (Learning Everyday Accelerates Progress). Kelly has earned two Bachelor of Science degrees, the first from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Education of Exceptional Persons and the second from the Pennsylvania State University in Elementary Education. Kelly also holds a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Francis University. Kelly has been certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and South Carolina Department of Education and holds Administrative II and Principal Certificates for PK-12 in both states. Kelly’s deep passion for learning, education, leadership, equity, and equality is what drives her to make a difference in the communities we serve.
Danielle L. Daniels brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role, with over a decade of dedicated service in education through the Charleston County School District. Danielleâs career flourished notably during her tenure as a Family Service Advocate at Sanders-Clyde Creative Arts Elementary School, and this pivotal role laid the groundwork for her role as a community engagement officer for the district. Her profound connection to Charleston’s communities and unwavering commitment to dismantling barriers to educational equity has been the cornerstone of her professional journey. A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Danielle’s journey toward fostering community engagement through education has been deeply influenced by her professional experiences, academic achievements, and inherent love for learning. Danielle graduated from the Charleston County School of Arts and holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Francis Marion University, and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Charleston Southern University, where she gained invaluable insights into the intersection of law and social behavior. Currently pursuing her EdD in Educational Leadership at Charleston Southern University, Danielle is driven by a steadfast dedication to enhancing educational outcomes and leadership within schools and communities. Danielle’s approach is rooted in Maya Angelou’s profound wisdom: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Danielleâs genuine compassion for helping others and her commitment to instilling a love for learning motivates her to impact the lives of students and families throughout the region.
Victoria pursued her bachelorâs degree in English with a minor in African American studies at Winthrop University and the University of Maryland University College. Her prior experiences to joining Reading Partners include over 15 years in sales and marketing and grassroots movements including local, state, and national political campaigns. She currently advocates for social justice issues to include educational equity and injustices toward people of color. She has a love for reading and the arts; acting in several plays and featured in spoken word appearances. Her passion for literacy and underserved children is what inspired her to begin her journey with Reading Partners as a tutor. She then served as an Americorps member and is now excited about bringing all those perspectives together in her new role as the community engagement associate.
Celie earned a BAIS degree from the University of South Carolina. She has been an elementary educator for over 20 years, having taught third, first, and fifth grades in VA and SC. Her passion for teaching reading and early intervention, as well as her desire to contribute to her community in a meaningful way, led her to Reading Partners. She strongly believes intervention and support are essential to providing children the best opportunity to become lifelong readers and a catalyst for future success in all aspects of a personâs life. Celie is excited to be a part of Reading Partners and use her experience in education to make a positive impact in the lives of children.
Cierra is a graduate of College of Charleston, where she received her bachelorâs degree in communication and minor in linguistics. She has dedicated her career to serving youth and education in Charleston County since 2009, as she is passionate about supporting dynamic organizations that work to change the lives of youth. Prior to Reading Partners she worked as a Childrenâs Defense Fund Freedom School Servant Leader Intern. She later served three terms as an AmeriCorps* VISTA member under Charleston County Mayorâs Office for Children, Youth and Families, as a volunteer coordinator and literacy site coordinator. In 2013, Cierra joined Reading Partners Charleston team as a site coordinator for Chicora Elementary School, and served there until the spring of 2016. Cierra is excited about her transition into a full-time position with Reading Partners, where she will work directly with AmeriCorps members to make their service year as meaningful as possible.
Dylan earned his bachelor’s in English from Montana State University and is currently working on getting his master’s in social work from the University of Montana. He was a previous AmeriCorps member serving two terms, before transitioning to the community engagement role. He has now transitioned serving as the special projects associate. He believes in the power of education and literacy to improve the lives of children all over the world. He is extremely excited to be in this new role where he can further help children reach their maximum potential, create a more equitable society and support South Carolina AmeriCorps members as they do their year of service.
Sheffield âSheffâ Webb comes to Reading Partners from a remote position as director of development at Eggleston in Norfolk, VA where he advanced their mission of training, educating, and employing adults with disabilities. Prior to Eggleston, Sheff was with the Historic Charleston Foundation, where he served as chief philanthropy officer. He also spent four years as director of development with Coastal Community Foundation here in Charleston. Sheff’s background brings over thirty years of relationship-building and fundraising experience, including time with the Cleveland Indians, CBS Radio Sports in DC, and DC United Soccer. Sheff’s wife is an artist and a sculptor, who works in wood and metal. They’re long-time Golden Retriever owners, currently without a pet…but looking. Their daughter is an attorney in D.C. and lives in Bethesda, MD with her husband. Sheff is honored to join the Reading Partners team, helping children become lifelong readers with the skills needed to reach their full potential.
AmeriCorps team
Program coordinators
Jamie Austin
Ashanti Campbell
Emma Carson
Tiffany Cribb
Aleisha Gadsden
Lerraine Haak
Billie Haller
Heather Hardwick
Jessica Holmes
Vinnette Johnson
Tracy Mills
Tracey Morrison
Joseph Moultrie
Andrew Newport
Mars Lang
Lauren Poston-Morris
Phyllis Shine
Finn Wallflower
Jasmine Watson
Cynthia Williams
Krystle Young
Mara Zomok
Volunteer coordinator
Laurel Mitchell
Board
Emily Swanson, community advocate and volunteer, board chair
Dwayne Green, owner and founder, Green Consulting, board governance committee chair
Katherine Crawford, community advocate and volunteer, development committee co-chair
Gerald Stinson, retired military, community advocate and volunteer, redi committee chair
Sarah Belaustegui, project manager, League Inc.
Hacker Burr, managing director & senior search consultant, Big Back Pack LLC
Elizabeth Crumley, director of corporate communications, South Carolina Ports
Allie Darby, private counselor
Dr. Elaine Graham, principal at St. Stephen Elementary School
Kenny Harrell, managing partner at Joye Law Firm
Justin Lee, senior vp of membership & corporate partnerships, Charleston Metro Chamber Of Commerce
Chris Singleton, author and public speaker
Richard Waring, vice president and executive director diversity, equity and inclusion, Charleston Metro Chamber Of Commerce
Roger Jones, ceo, Companion Associates, Inc., board member emeritus
Louise Kohlheim, community advocate, board member emerita
Richard Star, principal, Nexgistics, LLC, board member emeritus