Full Name
Raven Jones
Title
America Reads & Literacy Programs Manager
Institution
University of Michigan
Speaker Bio
Raven serves as the program manager for America Reads and leads the Ginsberg Center's literacy-focused work. In addition to training and coordinating student tutors, Raven's work involves communicating with U of M faculty and school districts' curriculum coordinators to better enhance the literacy skills of students in Washtenaw County and Wayne County. She also organizes Ginsberg's Family Literacy Nights and Readers and Best initiatives. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Raven is a recent graduate of the Master of Social Work program here at the University of Michigan. She began working with America Reads as a graduate assistant before becoming a full-time staff member in January 2018. Raven began her career in education by working as an elementary school teacher for four years. During that time, she had the opportunity to serve as a literacy specialist, developing a deep understanding of a subject that she believes is critical to students' success. As a former elementary school educator, Raven is passionate about educational equity for children and youth from underrepresented backgrounds and about training work-study students to serve as literacy tutors in grades k-5, to help address those inequities. Some of Raven's favorite hobbies and activities include cooking new recipes, reading, and watching comedy. She currently serves as a student success instructor at Washtenaw Community College and is the Co-Chair of the Teach for America Detroit Alumni Boars.