Page 8 - 116862_COIN_Annual Report_D_Proof

Carleyah
Sallye B. Mathis Elementary | 2023-2024: 3rd Grade
Carleyah’s lack of confidence in her reading and communications skills severely impacted her motivation in school. She seldom spoke up in class and never wanted to work collaboratively with other students at Sallye B. Mathis Elementary School.
These problems also discouraged Carleyah from asking for help. Fortunately, teachers at her school identified the problem and connected Carleyah with Communities In Schools of Jacksonville, that provided her an AmeriCorps literacy tutor. Her tutor, Camron, helped Carleyah learn to break down words and increased her confidence in speaking up during class. She now loves joining class discussions.
“Carleyah now eagerly participates in class, answers questions with enthusiasm, and is always ready to help her peers,” Camron wrote. “Her reading and pronunciation have improved, and with additional support from her older siblings, she’s on track to outperform her peers and meet her grade-level literacy goals.”
Elijah
George Washington Carver Elementary | 2023-2024: 3rd Grade
Elijah was struggling in his third grade class at George Washington Carver Elementary School. He had emotional barriers to academic achievement after having been retained the year before. He didn’t want to engage with his peers or even be at school. At
the start of the 2023-24 school year, Communities In Schools of Jacksonville tutor Courtney noticed Elijah sitting in the back of the classroom with his head down.
Elijah developed social skills as he practiced, but he was still struggling with his peers. That began to change as he learned to sound out words he came across. Soon, he was the first one with his hand up to read or try to pronounce words, Courtney said.
Elijah, a natural-born leader, now challenges students who are ahead of him in their literacy. Courtney said she’s “1,000 percent confident” he will continue to improve and succeed thanks to the extra help he received from Communities In Schools of Jacksonville and AmeriCorps.
Natrionah
Communities In Schools Jacksonville Alumni
Natrionah says she almost quit school, but “with God and my CIS Jacksonville mentor, I was able to walk across that stage with my head held high.
Struggling felt normal for Natrionah—like it was the cards she was dealt. With help from Communities In Schools of Jacksonville, she graduated high school and received a college scholarship. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years, even after facing unusual challenges and being given legal custody of her niece while in grad school. Natrionah graduated and began working with homeless veterans. She then worked with veterans and women needing mental health services in prison.
Her career path has taken her to work in emergency rooms, ICU’s, VA hospitals,
and her current position working with predominantly Indian populations. Natrionah says she’s not sure what comes next for her, but she recognizes that so much of her success began with help from CIS Jacksonville.