Reading Partners Silicon Valley 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 Silicon Valley has the support they deserve to become strong readers and lifelong learners.
Reading Partners Silicon Valley 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.
Meet our team
My name is Daron McDonnaugh, and I’m a citizen of the world! While I don’t have a single hometown (New York, San Francisco, and Maryland have all been home at various points), my passion for social justice led me to an MA in International Development with a focus on Conflict Resolution and Social Justice from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey. This, combined with my experience working in conflict resolution with organizations like CRS and the Peace Corps, has fueled my desire to make a positive impact around the globe.
Through various roles over the years, Andrew has gained a strong passion for community engagement and service-learning. Prior to his current program manager role, he completed four AmeriCorps service terms with Reading Partners, two of which were served at his childhood elementary school. Having completed his Master’s degree in Organization and Leadership through the University of San Francisco, Andrew also wrote his thesis paper on the intersection of critical service-learning, social justice education, and civic-minded development in higher education. He is excited to use his past knowledge and experiences to continue serving with local communities through a leadership role in Reading Partners! Outside of Reading Partners, Andrew has long-term interests in video games, broadway musicals, theme parks, Disney, kpop, and anime.
AmeriCorps members
Program coordinators
Milpitas
Rhiannon Badgett, program coordinator, Pearl Zanker Elementary
Carissa dela Cruz, program coordinator, Marshall Pomeroy Elementary
Darren Yang, program coordinator, Alexander Rose Elementary
San José
Crystal Garcia, program coordinator, Robert Sanders Elementary
Capricia Melgoza, program coordinator, Ryan STEAM Academy
Jennifer Mitchell, program coordinator, Russo/McEntee Academy
Mario Ruiz, program coordinator, San Antonio Elementary
Daniel Skinner, program coordinator, Mt. Pleasant and Ida Jew Academy
Farhana Zaidi, program coordinator, Ida Jew Academy and Valle Vista Elementary
Literacy leads
Ashley Cruz
Steven Eley
Daniel Huynh
Volunteer coordinators
Maya Bhattacharya
Daisy Hsieh
Andy Nguyen
Board of directors
Dan Cassetta
Region manager, Western Region at Vector Marketing/Cutco Cutlery
Nolene Fabre
Chief financial officer & treasurer, See’s Candies
Jamie Keenan
Board chair, managing partner, Keenan Capital
Javier del Prado
Vice president and general manager at Qualcomm
Anthony Simon
Retired from Qualcomm
Nicole Singer
Seniro vice president, Human Resources, Synaptics