Reading Partners Tulsa 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 Tulsa has the support they deserve to become strong readers and lifelong learners.
Reading Partners Tulsa 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
Olivia is a devoted advocate for education and the Tulsa community. She brings more than two decades of experience in teaching, school administration, development, and civic engagement to her new role. Olivia attended Tulsa Public Schools throughout her entire childhood. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Tulsa. Currently, Olivia is pursuing her PhD at the University of Tulsa in English Language and Literature with an emphasis on American literature. Olivia is fully committed to championing students, teachers, parents, and volunteers in the meaningful work of literacy for all children in Tulsa and the surrounding region. She envisions a dynamic future for Reading Partners Tulsa and looks forward to nurturing data-driven growth and collaborative partnerships in the service of students’ literacy and a life-long love of learning.
Rae Carmichael is a Springfield, Missouri native and has spent her career weaving together the tapestry of social work and education. Rae holds to a firm conviction that given the right support, all students can achieve and thrive. Equipped with a Bachelors of Social Work from Southeastern University in 2012, and a Masters of Social Work from Missouri State University in 2013, Rae’s passion for youth advocacy led her Tulsa Public Schools where she served as a social service specialist. After earning her LCSW, Rae transitioned to Collegiate Hall as the director of student services in July 2019. In June 2020, the pandemic forced schools to pivot education and Rae embraced the challenge and accepted the role of founding school director for Collegiate Hall Primary School. Today, Rae Carmichael brings her unwavering commitment to providing equitable education opportunities to Reading Partners. Through collaboration and data driven practices, Rae has a deep desire to positively impact the literacy landscape in Tulsa.
Amanda has devoted her entire professional career to public education, first as a classroom teacher in Memphis and Dallas and later as an instructional coach. In 2019, Amanda and her family moved from Dallas to Tulsa. Upon arrival, Amanda joined the Tulsa Reading Partners team as an AmeriCorps member, first as a literacy lead, and then as a site coordinator at McKinley Elementary and McClure Elementary. Amanda graduated from the University of Memphis with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a Masters in Library Science at OU-Tulsa.
Brenna Peterson joined Reading Partners in 2016 as a community engagement coordinator and now operates as the community engagement manager for the Tulsa region. She has previous experience with marketing, communications, and volunteer management, ranging from nonprofit work at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Tulsa, OK, to organic farming at Johnson’s Backyard Garden in Austin, TX. Brenna has a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders (deaf education and deaf studies) from the University of Texas at Austin.
Kim Taylor graduated from Northwood University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. While completing her degree, Kim decided to dedicate her career to organizations that make a positive impact in her local community. For over ten years, Kim has held a variety of roles ranging from development, special events, volunteer administration, and community engagement at local agencies. She received her international accreditation for Certification in Volunteer Administration in 2014.
Board
Samantha Aponte, chair
Onikah Asamoa-Caesar
Lauren Avery
Patricia DeBolt
Torii Ransome Freeman
Rosemary Harris
Omare Jimmerson, immediate past chair & board member emeritus
Rick Lambert
Christi Lee
Mimi Martinez
Danielle Neves
Tim Newton
Juanita Robinson
Maggie Sharum, Junior League of Tulsa board fellow
Aliye Shimi
Nate Todd
Kristen Wagner, LT360 (Class 68) board fellow