May 2022 Newsletter

Reading Power Announces New CEO Leadership

Reading Power is pleased to announce the promotion of Lisa Bulzoni, MEd, to the position of Chief Executive Officer. 

Lisa brings 25 years of educational experience to the CEO role, after most recently serving as Reading Power’s Executive Director of Programs and Operations. A valued and trusted leader, Lisa has been instrumental in the organization’s tremendous success since joining in 2017. Under her guidance, Reading Power programs have been expanded, tutor recruitment and engagement have improved, and the impact with students has increased, despite the many challenges the COVID pandemic brought.

As CEO, Lisa will bring her innovative thinking, passion, and above all, dedication to the organization’s mission to foster the promise of literacy. “My life’s work and passion have been to make a difference in the lives of children. Reading Power is at the forefront of improving the literacy lives of children and I look forward to finding additional ways to bring the joy of literacy to even more students,” Lisa shared. 

Congratulations, Lisa!  

Partner School Spotlight: LEARN 10, North Chicago, IL

"It's the small moments in life that make big memories." 

That’s the lesson LEARN 10’s first and second grade Reading Power students are learning this spring through the annual Writers Workshop project. This year’s challenge: a personal narrative about small moments in our lives that evoke strong emotions. 

To get inspired, the scholars, led by Site Coordinator Jennifer Bruns and Assistant Site Coordinator Liz Soling, kicked off the month-long project by working with their tutors to brainstorm moments in their lives when they felt strong emotions like happiness, sadness, anger, pride, and love. Jennifer shares, “these conversations between our students and tutors have deepened their already powerful connections and given us greater insight into our scholars' lives, hopes, challenges, and dreams.” 

After landing on their book plot, students worked through each stage of the writing process with their tutor, including solidifying the “meaty middle” of their stories, editing their “sloppy copy” rough drafts, and finally transferring their stories into hardcover books. Once illustrated and finished, the project will culminate with students sharing their published books with their classmates and the Reading Power family on Author’s Day at the end of May.  

Of the project, Reading Power first grade student Alexa C. shared, “I LOVE being an author! Writing my story has been so much fun! I can't wait to illustrate it and share it with my friends and Mom!"  

Writers Workshop and Author’s Day are annual projects for Reading Power’s first and second grade programs. In addition to strengthening literacy skills, they promote creative thinking, handwriting, and self-esteem. 

Reading Power has been proud to partner with LEARN 10 since 2017. To learn more about our program curriculum, visit our website. 

Reading Power Tutors - Making Connections, Leading the Way

Connections allow the Reading Power family to DO MORE together to foster the promise of literacy. The relationships between students and Reading Power tutors help make learning possible. Below are comments from one of  LEARN 10's newest tutors.

RP: Susie, this is your first year as a Reading Power tutor. What made you sign up? 

SG: “As a former Special Ed teacher, I was missing the classroom and working with students. I searched online for a reading program where I could tutor with a flexible schedule and Reading Power fit the bill. I am so impressed with the program, and what dedicated tutors there are in the classrooms.” 

RP: We work with tutors to find a tutoring schedule that works for them. You need added flexibility with your current profession, right?  

 SG: “I do! As a flight attendant for Delta Airlines, I must choose my schedule based on my flights. I often fly all night on a portion of my trips to Europe and sometimes come to tutoring quite tired, but I wake up as soon as I get there! It's worth it when you see how the students are improving with your help and I feel like I am a part of it. It's so worthwhile. It's such a great feeling when you feel you are helping students progress in a lifetime skill.” 

Thank you, Susie, for taking your students to new heights this year! 

Open Doors, Open Hearts

Thanks to all who attended our Open House event last month at LEARN 10. We loved sharing what makes our program so unique and successful. If you, or someone you know, are interested in learning more about us, please contact Nancy Duffy for a personal tour.  

First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest Pastor Clint Roberts, North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham, Jr., Reading Power CEO Lisa Bulzoni, and Executive Director of the Hunter Family Foundation Frank Baiocchi 

North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham, Jr., Reading Power Board member and tutor Tom Wood, and LEARN 10 Reading Power student  

Reading Power Associate Director of Programs Kristin Fine, Boys & Girls Club of Lake County Director of Programs Robert Marshall, Reading Power Resource Development Manager Nancy Duffy

Save the Date

Volunteers Make a World of Difference 

Please Join Us for our annual Tutor Appreciation Dinner 

Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest,  May 25th 5-7 pm  

Please RSVP to the emailed invitation by May 18th  

Play for a Purpose

Reading Power is proud to announce our second annual Play for Literacy Golf & Games event on September 12, 2022, at Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest, IL.

Contact Nancy Duffy for more information on available sponsorship opportunities. Ticket sales information coming soon. 

Lisa Bulzoni, MEd, Chief Executive Officer

Kate Burke, BS, Marketing and Communications Manager

Daniela Cruz, Program Assistant

Nancy Duffy, Resource Development Manager

Kristin Fine, MEd, Associate Director of Programs/Site Coordinator

Susan Morris, MBA, Events Manager

Beth Zender, MA, Volunteer Coordinator

Joanie Alley, MSEd, Assistant Site Coordinator

Kate Bulzoni, BA, Assistant Site Coordinator

Katie Burdiak, BA, Assistant Site Coordinator

Jennifer Bruns, MST, Site Coordinator

Julie Collishaw, MA, Site Coordinator

Brooke Davis, MEd, Assistant Site Coordinator

Andrea Glickman, MAEd, Site Coordinator

Marla Guziec, BS, Site Coordinator

Mary Jane Hender, EdD, Site Coordinator

Joy McGreevy, BA, Site Coordinator

Cathy Plate, MSEd, Assistant Site Coordinator

Melayna Pokorny, BA, Office Assistant 

Elizabeth Soling, AA, Assistant Site Coordinator

Heather Sommers, MA, Site Coordinator

Summer Zilisch, Assistant Site Coordinator