PRESENTERS

Jed Gaines, Training Director/Presenter: Founded Read Aloud America in 1995, a non-profit educational organization devoted to promoting literacy and bonding families through the love of reading. Since 1987, Jed has taught in classrooms throughout the state of Hawaii and has made numerous presentations to parents, students, teachers, and librarians worldwide.

The organization's Read Aloud Program, known as RAP, was created by Jed, Marion Coste, an award-winning book author, and Jim Harstad, former Chair of the English Department at the University High School. Each program averages 300 adults and children. Since 1999, Jed and the hundreds of volunteers of Read Aloud America have read to audiences totaling over 190,000 at 90 of Hawaii's elementary and middle public schools. Read Aloud America's RAP program is the largest and most effective family literacy program in America!

Joanne Laird, Assistant Training Director/Maui Presenter: Joanne is a retired teacher and school administrator from school districts in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since moving to Maui in 2003 she continues to work with youth as a workshop presenter and trainer for elected student leaders at high schools and middle schools around the islands. She is the 2009-10 President of the Rotary Club of Kihei Sunrise and next year will serve as the District 5000 Trainer for Rotary workshops. She and her husband Larry serve as Co-Directors of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp Program (RYLA) on Maui and she and Larry wrote curriculum with The Josephson Institute for national Camp RYLA programs. In her "spare time" she dances hula with Pohaikealoha and Halau Hula Kauluokala.

Joanne got involved with RAP while assisting Larry in his role as Site Coordinator at Kihei School and became a Parent Trainer/Presenter at Paia School in the Fall of 2009. Currently she serves as the Assistant Training Director for Read Aloud America and as a coach and mentor for the new Parent Trainers/Presenters on the Neighbor Islands.

Jay Brown, Oahu Presenter: Jay Brown, a small business owner and real estate agent. Jay is a graduate of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting and was traffic reporter for the News 12 Traffic and Weather Channel in New York.

After relocating with his family to Oahu he began as a volunteer reader for RAP before becoming a parent trainer/presenter. Jay brings his children to every rap presentation. RAP has become his family's favorite activity to enjoy together. Jay will always tell you how grateful he is to have RAP as a way to share the love of reading with his community.

Matt Helm, Moloka'i Presenter: Matt was born in Seattle, WA but has called Moloka'i home since he was five years old. He is a graduate of Moloka'i High School who went on to earn his BS in physical education and MBS in education from the University of La Verne, CA. He is married to Erika Spencer Helm and together they are the parents of three beautiful children, Kahili, Noelani, and Kahiau. Currently Matt is a counselor at Moloka'i High School, Head Girls Volleyball Coach and the Assistant Athletic Director.

Matt became interested in RAP after attending his children's presentation at Kualapu'u Elementary School. He was highly impressed by the program and wanted to learn more. He feels honored to be a presenter and part of the RAP ohana.

Kelly Kent, Oahu Presenter: Born and raised in Canton, Ohio, Kelly went on to study at Duke University in North Carolina. After living in Boston and Washington, D.C., Kelly's interest in exploring unfamiliar places and learning about different cultures brought her to Hawaii in 2007. Kelly is currently a coordinator at Organ Donor Center of Hawaii and is proud to participate in a variety of Donate Life Community programs. A lifetime reader, Kelly has been excited to revisit her favorite children's books since becoming an aunt three years ago. Kelly's favorite books are Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude and Dan Chaon's You Remind Me of Me.

Jennifer Ryan, Oahu Presenter: Jennifer has many years of experience in the field of education including teaching, curriculum design, evaluation and program development. She helped develop a family literacy program for Hawaii Literacy, Inc. and has also worked with State agencies to support health and physical education in schools. She has a Bachelor's degree in World Literature and a Master's degree in Community Health Education. She loves to read and has been recently indulging in historical fiction and travel books. Jennifer enjoys spending time outdoors, so you might run into her while hiking, surfing, or biking around the island.

Tracey Saiki, Oahu Presenter: Tracey Saiki is the senior strategic planner at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. She is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves as a public affairs officer assigned to HQ Pacific Air Forces at Hickam Air Force Base. She has family roots here in Hawaii. Being a part of RAP, Tracey knows she has found a way to be a positive influence on Hawaii's children and their families.

Tracey began with Read Aloud America as a volunteer reader in 1999, and years later became a RAP coordinator for several schools. For the past three years, Tracey has been a parent trainer/presenter. She has found her “happy place” and is proud to be a part of the RAA ohana.

Timothy Shim, Maui Presenter: Timothy is a born and raised Maui boy. He completed his primary education at Kihei Elementary and Lokelani Intermediate, then left Maui to attend Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama in Honolulu. He then graduated from Santa Clara University where he received his B.A. in Spanish Studies and later acquired a M.A. in Educational Administration from San Jose State University. He lived and worked in San Jose, California as a middle school teacher and vice principal for the past seven years and recently relocated back to his home island of Maui where he is currently teaching math at Iao Intermediate School.

A proud father of two with another on the way, you'll most likely find Mr. Shim at the beach surfing or body boarding. He was introduced to RAP through is wife, Amanda, who is the toddler reader for the RAP program on Maui. After one session, he was hooked and wanted to join the team. He looks forward to reading aloud as it carries on his family tradition. His mother, Nancy Shim, has been a Hawaii Public and School Librarian for over 30 years.

Monique Weisman, Oahu Presenter: Monique has lived in Hawaii since 1985. She obtained her MSW from UH-Manoa. Her career has been devoted to improving the lives of families with young children. She was assessment manager for the Healthy Start home visiting program and research manager for the Johns Hopkins Child Health Research Project. As a volunteer, she sat on the advisory board and was race director for a 5k that benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She also served on the board for the Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii. She currently provides contract services to various organizations.

One of Monique's favorite activities is reading adventure stories aloud with her husband. For the past 15 years, she has been part of a book group, whose members are now her dearest friends. As a member of the RAP team, Monique is excited to share her enthusiasm for reading with families in a fun, stimulating environment.

E-mail us: read@readaloudamerica.org