Better Together 2025 by Team Read

Team Read: Continually Committed to our Students and Our Values

When you visit a Team Read site, you’ll meet elementary school students and teen coaches with a variety of life experiences. You’ll meet some students who are new to this country, and others who have lived here their entire lives. You’ll hear a variety of languages spoken. You’ll see the many ways they express themselves, and you’ll hear laughter and thoughtful questions. You’ll get to know students from all kinds of families with all kinds of beliefs. The experiences, beliefs, and identities of our readers and coaches are our greatest assets.They are the reason young readers are able to see themselves in the coaches who help them meet their reading goals. They provide a way for coaches to give back to their community. At our very core, we value the unique attributes that come together and make Team Read a vehicle for change. To our readers, coaches, site assistants, and site coordinators: we continue to welcome all of you, and we encourage you to show up as your full, authentic selves. 

Team Read remains committed to our values, and we know that diversity, equity, and inclusion are necessary to achieving our goals. We continue to support all of our students, staff, and partners, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, or immigration status. Our dedication to providing a safe and inclusive program environment is steadfast. Thank you to our Team Read community for partnering with us in this work.

What we do

Team Read believes all kids deserve to be great readers and teens should have access to a meaningful, paid first job. We work to close education opportunity gaps through a unique cross-age, one-on-one tutoring program after school and during the summer.

Why we do it

By fourth grade, reading is essential to learn and succeed academically. Children who enter school already behind in their knowledge of language and related skills need support beyond the classroom to become great readers.

How it works

Team Read pairs second and third grade students (and fourth grade where available) who are reading at least one year below grade level proficiency with trained teen reading coaches for one-on-one tutoring support. Our dual-impact model helps young students to become confident readers equipped for academic success, and teens to develop work and life skills that support their transition to college and future employment.

February Theme: Sea of Hearts

February Theme: Sea of Hearts

Welcome to February, where a love of reading is in the air! This month, our readers and coaches are focusing on fluency to increase comprehension....

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How can you help?

QUEEN & KRISTIN

Powerful Pairs

The magic of Team Read is the near peer connection between coach and reader.

Third grader Queen began the school year reading at a kindergarten level. The books she finished were simple pattern books with one or two lines on each page. She struggled with significant behaviors that impacted her ability to learn in the full classroom setting. But when Queen met her Team Read coach Kristin on the first day of program in November, the pair connected immediately. No matter how tough a day she had at school, Queen begged to come to Team Read and read with Kristin.

The pair started to read longer books. They practiced phonics strategies and worked together to memorize sight words. “Queen particularly loves to work on sight words! From the start to now, I can clearly see her growth in building vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension,” says Kristin. “She has demonstrated tremendous effort in reading and when she finds the right book, remains engaged throughout.” Supported by her teacher, school staff, and her coach Kristin, Queen finished the year reading at a second grade level and continues to make great strides with her work.

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Lisa Bontje (Photographer)

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