- Be part of the team
Join Team Read
Teen reading coaches work one-on-one with second through fourth grade readers, after school two times per week, November through mid-May.
readers and leaders
Nov – mid-May
Two afternoons each week
- Opportunities
All district teen coach applications for the 2026-27 school year in are currently closed. Please check back for future opportunities.
free for referred students
- Who you'll work with
Our Students
Team Read supports second and third grade students who are not yet reading at grade level. Students are referred into the program by their classroom teacher, or other staff at their school, early in the academic year. They meet with their teen coaches after school two times per week, beginning in November through mid-May. The program is free for referred students.
Team Read helps student readers:
- Build confidence in reading
- Gain vocabulary
- Develop reading comprehension
- Read more fluently
- Strengthen phonetic skills
- Who works with Us
Our Coaches
Former Team Read reading coach Will Hunt said it best: “Team Read is a place where teens are valued because they are teens.” Teens bring energy, creativity, compassion, and commitment to their work as the reading coaches of our young readers.
As coaches, the teens work one-on-one with the students by:
- Build confidence in reading
- Growing students’ vocabulary through work on phonics and recognizable “sight words”
- Asking questions that encourage reading comprehension
- Playing literacy games
- Developing fluency through reading “just right” books
- Building friendships that boost confidence
- Sharing their love of reading
we’ve got the best coaches
- Why coach with Team Read
More Than Teaching.
It’s an Experience
That Stays With You.
As a reading coach, you’ll help a child build confidence while developing skills, connections, and experiences that benefit you too.
01
Make a real difference
Learn how to help young children build essential reading skills and develop a stronger foundation for learning.
02
Build valuable skills
Strengthen communication, patience, responsibility, and teamwork.
03
Grow your confidence
Develop patience, self-confidence, leadership, and a sense of accomplishment.
04
Strengthen your résumé
Build meaningful experience for college applications and future opportunities.
05
Open doors to new opportunities
Outstanding coaches may be considered for promotions and site assistant roles.
06
Earn while you learn
Receive hourly pay or service-learning hours, where available.
07
Lead beyond the classroom
Join the Volunteer Ambassador Program and help shape the future of Team Read.
side by side, twice a week
- The experience
You’ll Give More Than a Reading Lesson.
You’ll build relationships, gain confidence, and become part of a community working to help children thrive.
- Eligibility
Are you qualified to be a coach?
See if you meet the requirements to become a Team Read coach and make a lasting impact.
Every coach must possess the following qualifications:
- Have a strong interest in helping a younger student become a better reader
- Be a good role model for younger students
- Read and communicate clearly in English (speaking one or more languages in addition to English is a bonus!)
- Demonstrate a commitment to academics and the importance of reading
- Be a student in 9th-12th grade (open to 8th-grade volunteers in Seattle only)
- Possess a good attendance record (no more than seven unexcused absences during the previous school year)
- Be able to secure two references from teachers or other school personnel
- Be able to guarantee program attendance and participation two days each week for at least a full semester
we are qualified coaches
- Applications open · 2026–27