Dave’s incredible journey to Reading Partners reminds us that reality can be just as fantastic and awe-inspiring as the elaborate tales of our favorite books.
Making a Global Impact
Dave Revere came to Reading Partners after a whirlwind six year journey that led him around the world. After a four-year tour of service for the United States Marine Corps, Dave turned his attention to educating students around the world. Dave taught English in Hiroshima, Japan for two years, and spent seven months developing an English-Language program in a rural orphanage on the border of Thailand and Burma.
It was these experiences that led Dave back to the U.S. to serve students at home. Dave joined Reading Partners as a site coordinator, equipped with a keen ability to lead a classroom and work with students to help them grow their reading and writing skills.
“I was drawn to this position because I have long since found that working with children and investing in their lives one-on-one is what energizes me. I love to cultivate this passion in my volunteers. Passionate, invested volunteers inspire me to bring my best to work every day.”
Dave’s expertise working with students is matched by his experience in volunteer coordination. His previous work for the rural orphanage gave him a wonderful, collaborative perspective on working with volunteer tutors.
“Coordinating volunteers is an important skill that requires a lot of energy, flexibility and wisdom. My previous experience managing volunteers at an orphanage taught me a few things about bringing out the best in folks from all kinds of backgrounds and with many different personalities,” Dave says.
Returning Home
Upon returning to the states, Dave and his wife, Holly, settled in Denver where he started searching for opportunities in the nonprofit sector, working directly with children. Dave was immediately attracted to Reading Partners’ program model and knew that the site coordinator position would be an ideal fit.
Dave says he strives to do work that “forces [him] to be [his] best self,” and finds running the reading center at Alice Terry Elementary fits the bill.
“I enjoy watching the confidence of my students grow, when they internalize the positive affirmations about reading they receive at Reading Partners, and how they can’t wait to share their accomplishments or a new skill that has clicked.”
Dave is thriving in the reading center and has become a true leader in the Colorado community. Everyday he encourages his volunteers by reminding them what a difference they are making in the lives of their students and in their community.
“It’s all about knowing how to see, name, and believe in those best qualities in people.”
Fortunately for Colorado’s education community, Dave hopes to remain in the nonprofit education sector after his time as a site coordinator. We know our students and volunteers are lucky to have Dave’s sincere devotion to their success.
