Reading Partners South Carolina is a nonprofit organization that engages community volunteers to provide students with the proven, individualized reading support they need to read at grade level by fourth grade. We seek to create a more equitable future, one where every child in South Carolina has the support they deserve to become strong readers and lifelong learners.
Reading Partners South Carolina is powered by AmeriCorps, a federal agency for national service. We mobilize AmeriCorps members to recruit and coach volunteers, support students during and outside of tutoring sessions, work on capacity-building projects, and so much more.
Meet our team
Dyrell joins Reading Partners with more than 15 years of experience as a nonprofit leader with a strong track record of executing results. A Brooklyn, New York native and AmeriCorps alum, Dyrell has always had a passion for leadership and serving the community. Most recently, Dyrell served as a site director for Saga Education (specifically the Charleston region), a national education nonprofit that leverages dedicated staff and AmeriCorps members to provide high-impact, in-school tutoring. Previously, Dyrell served at City Year Columbia, in various capacities over the years, including as the interim vice president and executive director, director of student impact, and senior program manager. In each of these roles, Dyrell helped to lead and develop a full-time staff and team of 24 City Year AmeriCorps members to implement Whole School, Whole Child programming, which includes working with all students through Tier 1 initiatives. Dyrell attended Benedict College where he received his Bachelors in Business Management. While in college he became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., which led to his unwavering dedication to service. After graduating from college, Dyrell decided to further his education at Webster University and received his Masters in Counseling. We are especially excited about the fact that Dyrell started his career as an AmeriCorps member, serving at City Year Columbia. Also, Dyrell is passionate about our REDI work at Reading Partners and how it can support our students. In 2025, Dyrell was chosen as one of the Forty Under 40 awardees by the Charleston Regional Business Journal.
Kelly Clouser is a seasoned educator and dedicated advocate for literacy, committed to ensuring that all students have equitable opportunities to become confident, capable readers. Her career in education spans a wide range of roles, including classroom teacher across multiple grade levels, lead teacher in alternative education, school principal, and most recently the program director for Reading Partners South Carolina.
Throughout her professional journey, Kelly has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to educational equity and student achievement, with a particular focus on literacy development. She is passionate about creating inclusive, effective learning environments and empowering educators to support diverse learners in building strong reading foundations.
Kelly holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from St. Francis University, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Penn State University, and certification in Special Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is a certified Pre-Kindergarden through Grade 12 principal in both Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
Through her leadership, Kelly continues to champion initiatives that close the literacy gap and expand access to high-quality education. She firmly believes that children are our greatest asset and deserve every opportunity to become thoughtful, engaged contributors to society.
Kelly Clouser is a seasoned educator and dedicated advocate for literacy, committed to ensuring that all students have equitable opportunities to become confident, capable readers. Her career in education spans a wide range of roles, including classroom teacher across multiple grade levels, lead teacher in alternative education, school principal, and most recently the program director for Reading Partners South Carolina.
Throughout her professional journey, Kelly has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to educational equity and student achievement, with a particular focus on literacy development. She is passionate about creating inclusive, effective learning environments and empowering educators to support diverse learners in building strong reading foundations.
Kelly holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from St. Francis University, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Penn State University, and certification in Special Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is a certified Pre-Kindergarden through Grade 12 principal in both Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
Through her leadership, Kelly continues to champion initiatives that close the literacy gap and expand access to high-quality education. She firmly believes that children are our greatest asset and deserve every opportunity to become thoughtful, engaged contributors to society.
Danielle L. Daniels brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role, with over a decade of dedicated service in education through the Charleston County School District. Danielle’s career flourished notably during her tenure as a Family Service Advocate at Sanders-Clyde Creative Arts Elementary School, and this pivotal role laid the groundwork for her role as a community engagement officer for the district. Her profound connection to Charleston’s communities and unwavering commitment to dismantling barriers to educational equity has been the cornerstone of her professional journey. A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Danielle’s journey toward fostering community engagement through education has been deeply influenced by her professional experiences, academic achievements, and inherent love for learning. Danielle graduated from the Charleston County School of Arts and holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Francis Marion University, and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Charleston Southern University, where she gained invaluable insights into the intersection of law and social behavior. Currently pursuing her EdD in Educational Leadership at Charleston Southern University, Danielle is driven by a steadfast dedication to enhancing educational outcomes and leadership within schools and communities. Danielle’s approach is rooted in Maya Angelou’s profound wisdom: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Danielle’s genuine compassion for helping others and her commitment to instilling a love for learning motivates her to impact the lives of students and families throughout the region.
A native of Baltimore, Nancy attended Baltimore City public schools. Visits to the Enoch Pratt Free Library are among the earliest and most vivid memories of her childhood. She received her MA from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and completed the Certified Nonprofit Management Program at The Johns Hopkins University. Nancy has worked in Baltimore’s nonprofit sector for more than 25 years, with a focus on raising funds for education, affordable housing, and workforce development. She believes in the power of mutually supportive collaborations to create positive change. In addition to loving her work, Nancy enjoys reading books about history and political intrigue as well as works of fiction. She is also a budding beekeeper.
Cierra is a graduate of College of Charleston, where she received her bachelor’s degree in communication and minor in linguistics. She has dedicated her career to serving youth and education in Charleston County since 2009, as she is passionate about supporting dynamic organizations that work to change the lives of youth. Prior to Reading Partners she worked as a Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School Servant Leader Intern. She later served three terms as an AmeriCorps* VISTA member under Charleston County Mayor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families, as a volunteer coordinator and literacy site coordinator. In 2013, Cierra joined Reading Partners Charleston team as a site coordinator for Chicora Elementary School, and served there until the spring of 2016. Cierra is excited about her transition into a full-time position with Reading Partners, where she will work directly with AmeriCorps members to make their service year as meaningful as possible.
AmeriCorps team
Program coordinators
Kenleigh Douglass
Mark Galera
Kenisha Green
Heather Hardwick
Roniesha Kaboggoza
Hali Kai Cecilia Lujan Castro
Daniel Mack
Nacole Manigault
Moresha Williams
Loki Willis
Krystle Young
Volunteer coordinators
Bethany Bair
Elizabeth Glanden
Laurel Mitchell
Jasmine Tabor
Literacy leads
Joy Brown
Achieva Day-Foster
Julia Green
Zaria Hamilton
Latasha Horry
Zora Johnson
Nadajia Lewis
Eric Michaelson
Tracy Mills
Emily Morris
Leigh Nelson
Cynthia Williams
Mara Zomok
Board
Dwayne Green, Owner and founder, Green Consulting | Board chair
Emily Swanson, Community advocate and volunteer | Board governance committee chair
Gerald Stinson, Retired military, Community advocate and volunteer | Strategic volunteer engagement chair
Kenny Harrell, Managing partner at Joye Law Firm | Development committee chair
Hacker Burr, Managing director & senior search consultant, Big Back Pack LLC
Elizabeth Crumley, Director of corporate communications, South Carolina Ports
Allie Darby, Private counselor
Dr. Elaine Graham, Principal at St. Stephen Elementary School
Chenoa Reed, Retired education professional
Eric Elliott, Owner & president, VIP Marketing and Advertising
Roger Jones, CEO, Companion Associates, Inc. | Board member emeritus
Louise Kohlheim, Community advocate | Board member emerita
Richard Star, Principal, Nexgistics, LLC | Board member emeritus