About Us

Learn to Read of St. Johns County, Inc. is a non-profit organization partially funded by Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach and Serenata, United Way of St. Johns County, individuals, businesses, civic organizations and special events.

Our volunteer-based organization provides free literacy skills assessment and instruction in St. Johns and Putnam Counties to individuals 16 years of age and older. In addition to one-on-one literacy tutoring, Learn to Read has recently expanded its services throughout the counties to help people learn English as a second language (ESOL) through personal tutoring and group conversation courses.

Learn to Read believes literacy skills are vital for people to find work and to participate in their community. We tutor our students to pass the GED, the Adult Basic Education Test (TABE), and to achieve advancement in the workplace. Learn to Read depend on your support to purchase the books and other necessary teaching materials, as well as maintain the facility in which we operate. Your support is paramount to helping decrease barriers to employment and higher education that prevent our students from moving forward.

Mission Statement: “To be the area’s principal organization for providing individualized education in fundamental verbal, written, mathematical and technological skills for persons 16 years and older to remove barriers to employment and higher education, improve quality of life, and prepare for community and civic participation.”

What We Teach

  • Reading
  • Mathematics
  • Writing
  • Language Arts
  • Reading Comprehension
  • GED Exam Preparation
  • TABE (Adult Basic Education Test) Preparation
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages
  • US Citizenship Test Preparation
  • Work Skills
  • Health & Financial Literacy

History & Methods

Learn to Read was founded in 1986 by local members of the American Association of University Women who recognized the need to teach reading, writing and math skills to adults ages 16 years and older, who lacked those skills. Learn to Read founder Jane Murray, a retired educator, served as the organization’s first Executive Director. This year, we are celebrating our 30th Anniversary.

Learn to Read’s tutoring methods and materials are based on the work of Dr. Frank Charles Laubach (1884-1970), the leading pioneer of the contemporary adult literacy movement. He developed the “Each One Teach One” instructional program.

Learn to Read’s trained volunteer tutors teach students one-on-one in reading, writing, math, language arts, English as a Second Language (ESOL) and preparing students for the GED exam. Several of our tutors teach ESOL classes and assist with citizenship test preparation. Tutoring sessions are held throughout St. Johns County in churches, libraries, coffee shops, businesses, shelters, transitional homes and the Learn to Read office.

Call us for information on tutoring in Putnam County.

Call 904-826-0011 for more information if you would like to tutor or know someone who would benefit from our literacy or ESOL programs.

Become a Tutor!

Board of Directors – Officers

Chair Ann Breidensein, Past President/CEO
Vice President Elaine Reagan, Realtor
Treasurer Valerie Mull, Manager Main Library, St. Augustine
Secretary Joseph P. Cinney, President and CEO

Directors

Dr. Edward Jordan, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs, St. Johns River State College
Gary Smith, Financial Advisor
Sidney Ansbacher, Past Chair, Emeritus

Staff

Joseph P. Cinney, President and CEO
Angela Moreno, Volunteer, Student Coordinator