An Exciting End to the School Year

by | Jun 17, 2026 | Events, Impact, Newsletter Archives, Success Stories, Uncategorized

An Exciting End to the School Year
This year, 329 reading pairs worked hard and accomplished great things with Team Read. We’re incredibly proud of the dedication and effort shown by all of our readers and coaches as we wrapped up our 28th year of school year programs.

The final weeks were action packed and full of fun, with much to celebrate!

Last Day Soirees

On the last day at each program site, Team Read staff surprised students with a pizza delivery, and every reader received a free book, thanks to the Books to Students Fund at Third Place Books. Readers were recognized with a certificate of achievement, and graduating coaches received special recognition.

The session was filled with games and laughter, and many readers chose to do a repeat performance of their poetry reading from the prior week. It’s a joy to watch these students celebrate their accomplishments.
Honoring Long-time Coaches

This year, 14 coaches completed their fourth or even fifth year as Team Read coaches. Several of these coaches joined our May board meeting, where their accomplishments were celebrated with cake, certificates, and a keepsake book.

It was an emotional occasion for Team Read staff, who have watched these coaches grow their confidence and ability with Team Read.
Program Director Jeanette Eisenberg recognized coaches by saying “Each of you have been like 3 season athletes working through the school year, putting the learning of students ahead of any stress your busy lives may hold. You have spent between 200-400 hours doing this challenging work – work that’s complex because it’s centered around connecting with a whole person who isn’t always having a great day…or year, and building up that voice in their head that reminds them ‘I can do hard things’, all while finding your own voice as a leader, mentor, and teacher.”
Thank you and congratulations to Adrian, Andrew, Angela, Arden, Brenda, Federica, Aurora, Jessie, Kaya, Lila, Lilliana, Lyla, Michelle, Nezira, and Tan. We’ll miss you and hope you keep in touch!
Literacy Day

Team Read’s leadership cohort, The Ambassador Coaches, organized a Literacy Day in partnership with the Seattle Public Library. Families were welcomed with refreshments and readers picked out a book based on choice, grade, and reading level.

Families received resources for summer reading and learned how to stay involved with Team Read! At a crafts table, students decorated bookmarks and buttons. The main event was a presentation by Megan Krantz, an artist with Bushwick Northwest (and former Team Read coach). Miss Megan read Change Sings by Amanda Gorman, a story about a young girl using music to change lives in her community. Miss Megan performed a song she wrote inspired by the book, and then she invited readers to craft their own song! Readers collaborated a song about improving the world and making it great. Thank you to the families who joined us for this inspiring event!
What’s Next

In the coming weeks, coaches will start training for summer programs in West Seattle, Yesler Terrace, and Renton. We’re excited to welcome 100 readers to join us in July!

Thank you for joining us to cheer on readers and coaches! We’re grateful to you for helping them reach the finish line.