May 10, 2022

Reading Partners Tulsa announces Fourth Annual Valued Volunteer Award Winners

Each year, we recognize some of our most outstanding community volunteers, as well as a community partner and school partner who have prioritized supporting volunteer recruitment efforts and the volunteer experience. Here are our valued volunteer award winners of 2022. 

Reading Matters: Quentin Liggins

This year we pay tribute to Quentin, a husband, father, friend, and community leader who passed away on Wednesday, March 2 of this year after a courageous battle with a rare form of brain cancer.

Quentin came to Reading Partners through Tulsa Public Schools, where he served as the Director of Talent Acquisition, Retention & Development. Beginning in 2017, he dedicated three years to Reading Partners and provided a total of 50 tutoring sessions to students at Hawthorne Elementary. Quentin’s support for Reading Partners stems from his roots as a fourth-generation North Tulsan, which “ran just as deep as his devotion to the community.” 

Join us in remembering Quentin Liggins for his lifetime of building a legacy that we can all look to as a beacon of hope and inspiration for a more equitable future. Read more.

Data Drives Decisions: Union Public Schools

In our first year partnering with Union Public Schools, we were able to start four new reading centers at Clark, Grove, McAuliffe, and Peters Elementary. Throughout this year they have been constant supporters of our program, working collaboratively with teachers and reading specialists to make sure students were referred while promoting our volunteer opportunities with their own partners to help ensure their students get the support they need. Each of these four reading centers has enrolled over 30 students, and at the midyear point over 70 percent of Union students enrolled in Reading Partners had met their midyear Primary Literacy Growth Goals and mastered the foundational skills of reading.

Volunteers Get Results: Ken Seidel

Ken is one of our longest-serving volunteers, having started with the program in 2013. Ken has shared with his program coordinator that he didn’t learn how to read until seventh grade, so he goes out of his way to break things down to his students as simply as possible. Because of his own experiences and struggles with learning how to read, he understands the importance of helping young students develop their own skills and deeply values the time he spends in the reading center. Thank you, Ken, for nine years of service! 

Together We Are Better: Jim Brosseau

When Jim walks into the reading center each week, his vibrant presence and attitude of gratitude can be felt by all. Jim has built strong relationships with his students throughout this year, always sharing laughter throughout their sessions. Jim embodies what it means to be a positive role model who cares deeply about building a bond. Jim frequently attends make-up session days to ensure students at his reading center receive as many individualized sessions as possible! Thank you, Jim, for being one of our Valued Volunteer Award Winners and dedicating your time and energy to Reading Partners and the students we serve. We are so grateful for your continued support!

Laughter Keeps Us Going: Nancy Vann

Nancy approaches every tutoring session ready to work and have fun with her student. Nancy personifies a “growth mindset” and regularly asks her program coordinator clarifying questions in order to deepen her understanding of the Reading Partners curriculum. Not only does she provide robust sessions for her student, but she also takes the time to get to know her student, discovering ways to laugh together and truly enjoy each other’s company. Nancy loves to share funny and heartwarming stories that inspire others around her while in the reading center. Through working with Nancy, her student has become more excited for reading and is always excited to be in the reading center. Thank you, Nancy, for reminding us that Laughter Keeps Us Going! 

Big Challenges Are Our Thing: Tasha Wessel

Tasha is the epitome of a determined and loyal reading partner, and she faithfully gives two hours every week to tutor two students for a total of  four hours every week. She has contributed 80 sessions and has brought greater meaning to the statement “Big Challenges are Our Thing.” To have a tutor who is willing to volunteer above and beyond the call of duty is empowering and inspiring. Tasha always brings her positive spirit into the reading center, and this can be seen throughout her many sessions with each of her reading partners. Her program coordinator tells us that she has enjoyed watching the bonds develop between Tasha and her students,other tutors, and the other AmeriCorps members in the reading center. Thank you, Tasha! We are so grateful for your presence and multiple years of service with Reading Partners.

 

Congratulations to all of our 2022 Valued Volunteer Award Winners! See last year’s winners here.