Cassi Simmons | Utah Reads Coordinator

One of Cassi’s life passions is to shake off staleness. As the Utah Reads Coordinator, that means reevaluating procedures and creating contemporary solutions. Utilizing experiences gained in her five years as an employee of the University of Utah, Cassi looks forward to the continued growth of both University and elementary students involved in this program.

Maddie Bell | Bennion Elementary

Maddie is a  senior in the Bachelor of Social Work Program minoring in Family and Consumer Science. She has been with Utah Reads for nearly 3 years, working as a tutor at Mountain View Elementary and the Glendale Community Learning Center and a site team leader at Neighborhood House and Bennion Elementary. Maddie loves that Utah Reads allows her to share her love for reading with the wonderful students she has had the privilege to tutor. She believes that reading is a gateway to many exciting opportunities and adventures. She is extremely thrilled to expand her work for this program as a Site Team Leader at Bennion Elementary.

Melissa Dawson | Rose Park Elementary

Melissa is the site team leader at Rose Park Elementary. She began Utah Reads in 2014 as a tutor and fell in love with the program. As an Elementary Education major, this job provides Melissa with valuable experience she will use in her future. Melissa loves being able to work with students at Rose Park as well as other tutors through Utah Reads.

Kadysha Reyes | Mountain View Elementary

Kadysha Reyes is a sophomore in the Elementary Education program with a minor in Health at the University of Utah. She began as a tutor with the Utah Reads program in the Fall of 2014 at Mountain View Elementary and the Glendale Community Center. This is her third year with Utah Reads and is currently serving as a Site Team Leader at Mountain View Elementary and the Glendale Community Center. Kadysha loves tutoring because it gives her the opportunity to provide reading support to students who need the individual help. She believes that reading is the gateway to education and learning.

Denisse Brito | Parkview Elementary

As Parkview's Site Team Leader, Denisse loves all the challenges that comes with running a site and strives to instill a sense of trust and community between her tutors and students. Utilizing her cultural background as a first generation Latina, she hopes to relate to all the students and show them that you can succeed in life no matter your economic or social background.

Shannon McCosh | Neighborhood House

Shannon McCosh started as a tutor with Utah Reads and has been able to move up to Site Team Leader. She hopes to serve as many students as possible in this role. Her end goal is to be an elementary school teacher, teaching French, integrating the arts, and teaching English as a second language

Sheridan Dastrup | Lincoln Elementary

Sh​eridan is currently getting her Masters in School Counseling. She started as a tutor with Utah Reads in Fall 2013 and has been working with the program since. Sheridan loves this job because of the amazing progress and experiences she has had with students. She believes that reading and mentorship is something that every student should have!

Lucy Beltran | Riley Elementary

Lucy is a Sophomore at the University of Utah pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and International Studies. This is her second year working with Utah Reads and her first year as a site team leader. Other than study and working, Lucy spends her time learning Chinese, hiking, playing volleyball and hanging out with friends.