- Become a Team Read coach
Your Guide to Becoming a Coach
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Team Read coach for the 2026-27 school year! We’re excited to help you develop your leadership skills while you build a young student’s reading skills and confidence.
a paid first job that matters
- Start here
Ready to Make an Impact?
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Team Read coach for the 2026-27 school year! We’re excited to help you develop your leadership skills while you build a young student’s reading skills and confidence.
Working for Team Read is a formal job. Coaches become hourly employees of the school district in which they serve, working one-on-one with second through fourth grade readers after school.
01
Support a Reader
Help a young student grow their reading skills and confidence.
02
Build Leadership
Develop communication, mentorship, and leadership experience.
03
Make an Impact
Get paid while helping create a meaningful experience for a young reader.
joyful readers!
- The role
What You’ll Do as a Coach
- Becoming a sponsor
- Lead engaging reading sessions
- Build confidence and reading skills
- Complete required training
- Create a positive and supportive reading experience
- 2 sessions / week · After-school · Training provided · Hourly pay
- Coach requirements
Are You Qualified to Be a Coach?
If you’re a high school student who cares about helping younger readers grow, you may already have what it takes. Every coach must possess the following qualifications.
- Be a student in 9th-12th grade (open to 8th-grade volunteers in Seattle only)
- 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
- 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
- Hiring timeline
From application to your first session
Six steps, in order. Dates are tentative and vary by district — pick yours below and add the dates to your calendar.
01
Application Opens
Seattle opens April 20, 2026; all districts reviewed on a rolling basis.
02
Application Submitted
Deadline for all four districts: Sunday, September 27, 2026.
03
Selection & District Paperwork
Selected applicants complete their district’s hourly hire packet.
04
Training
Team Read coach training, online and on-site.
05
Coach Assignment
Accepted coaches are assigned to a tutoring site.
06
Program Begins
Tutoring sessions with readers begin, October–November.
Dates for your district
Seattle
- Application deadline: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Monday, April 20, 2026
Applications for new and returning Team Read coaches will open
May – September 2026
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; the earlier you apply the quicker your application can be reviewed
Early August
Team Read begins emailing selected applicants with invitation to complete the school district’s required hourly hire paperwork packet
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Last day to submit coach applications.
Applications submitted after this date may not be reviewed by staff
Late September
Accepted coaches assigned to Team Read tutoring sites
Mid October
School district’s required hourly hire paperwork packet due. Accepted applicants invited to register for Team Read coach training
Week of November 2, 2026
Tutoring sessions with readers begin!
Highline
- Application deadline: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Last day to submit Team Read coach applications
September 2026
Selected applicants invited to complete the school district’s required employment paperwork
(start this process as soon as possible – don’t wait until the last minute!)
Late September
School district’s required employment paperwork due
Late September
Accepted applicants invited to register for Team Read coach training
Early-mid October
Team Read coach training (online); coaches assigned to Team Read tutoring sites
Mid October
Team Read on-site coach training (at your assigned site); tutoring sessions with readers begin!
Renton
- Application deadline: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Last day to submit Team Read coach applications
Early September
Selected applicants required to complete the school district’s hourly hiring paperwork/requirements. Please check your email daily.
Late September
Register for Team Read coach training.
Please check your email daily.
Late September/Early October
Team Read coach training (online)
Mid October
On-site coach training
Late October
Tutoring sessions with readers begin!
Tukwila
- Application deadline: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Last day to submit Team Read coach applications
Ongoing until mid-October
Selected applicants invited to complete the school district’s hourly hiring paperwork/requirements (start this process as soon as possible – don’t wait until the last minute!)
Mid October
School district hourly hire paperwork/requirements due; accepted applicants invited to register for Team Read coach training
Late October / November
Team Read coach training (online) and in-person on-site training; coaches assigned to Team Read tutoring sites
Late November
Team Read tutoring sessions with readers begin!
- Get ready
Get Ready Before You Apply
A little preparation can make the application process smoother. If your Team Read application is accepted, your next step is becoming a paid employee of your school district by completing their hourly hire packet — their Human Resources department will contact you.
Check Your Eligibility
Make sure you meet the student and availability requirements — grade level, attendance record, two references, and two days a week for a full semester.
Prepare Your Documents
Collect your identification for the federal I-9 form now. If you have a passport (book or card), a social security card (not just your number) and an officially-issued photo ID, you should be fine.
Watch Your Email
Keep an eye out for application updates, district paperwork invitations, training registration, and next steps. Renton applicants: please check your email daily.
- Important to know
Your I-9 identification
To be hired for a paying job in the United States, you are required by law to complete the Federal I-9 form to verify your identity and legal work eligibility. Your employer will ask for one current (not expired) document that verifies both your identity and work eligibility (List A), or two current documents: one for identity (List B) and one for work eligibility (List C). If you don’t have these, start now — it can take time to have them issued.
How you’ll be paid
Once hired, your monthly paycheck comes by direct deposit (requires a bank account and routing number) or paper check to a valid mailing address. All 2026-27 Seattle coaches will be required to register for direct deposit — if you don’t have a bank account, consult your local bank or sign up for an electronic PayCard through Seattle Public Schools (usable like a debit card, including at an ATM)
Service-learning credit
If you’re a Seattle applicant requesting service-learning credit instead of pay, you won’t be asked for the district’s hourly hire materials.
- District requirements
Requirements Vary by District
Washington State public school districts usually include some form of the documents below (there may be more or fewer, depending on your district). Some require information from you; others are for your information and you’ll acknowledge receipt.
Seattle
Seattle Public Schools · hourly hire paperwork packet
Early August: Team Read begins emailing selected applicants an invitation to complete the district’s required hourly hire paperwork packet. Packet due late September. Seattle applicants requesting service-learning credit are not asked for these materials.
Typical hourly hire packet
01
Application
INFO FROM YOU
Will request your name and contact information, as well as some or all of the following: previous work experience, personal or professional references (family members and teachers are acceptable), emergency contact information, and any criminal history.
02
Criminal background check form
Signature
Required for your consent to conduct a criminal background check prior to hire (may also ask for your Social Security Number).
03
Equal opportunities policy statement
Signature
Provides the district’s official equal opportunities policy.
04
Workplace safety & Worker’s Comp
Signature
Information from the state and your employer about work-related safety (proper lifting techniques) and what to do if you’re injured on the job.
05
Employee responsibilities and selected district policies
Signature
Lists the names of/links for the district’s policies that apply to you as an hourly employee.
06
WA State Department of Retirement Systems Eligibility Documentation Form
INFO FROM YOU
If you’ll be working for your school district and another company/organization at the same time, you’ll need to disclose if the other one is also a WA State public employer (like the public library, state college/university, etc.).
07
Fingerprint confirmation form
18 and Older
WA State requires all K-12 school employees 18 years of age or older to be fingerprinted (if you are under 18, you don’t need to complete this step).
08
Direct deposit form
INFO FROM YOU
You’ll need your bank account and routing numbers.
Questions? coaches@teamread.org · 206.252.0194
Highline
Highline (Highline Public Schools · employment paperwork)
September 2026: selected applicants invited to complete the district’s required employment paperwork; due late September. Start as soon as possible – don’t wait until the last minute.
Typical hourly hire packet
01
Application
INFO FROM YOU
Will request your name and contact information, as well as some or all of the following: previous work experience, personal or professional references (family members and teachers are acceptable), emergency contact information, and any criminal history.
02
Criminal background check form
Signature
Required for your consent to conduct a criminal background check prior to hire (may also ask for your Social Security Number).
03
Equal opportunities policy statement
Signature
Provides the district’s official equal opportunities policy.
04
Workplace safety & Worker’s Comp
Signature
Information from the state and your employer about work-related safety (proper lifting techniques) and what to do if you’re injured on the job.
05
Employee responsibilities and selected district policies
Signature
Lists the names of/links for the district’s policies that apply to you as an hourly employee.
06
WA State Department of Retirement Systems Eligibility Documentation Form
INFO FROM YOU
If you’ll be working for your school district and another company/organization at the same time, you’ll need to disclose if the other one is also a WA State public employer (like the public library, state college/university, etc.).
07
Fingerprint confirmation form
18 and Older
WA State requires all K-12 school employees 18 years of age or older to be fingerprinted (if you are under 18, you don’t need to complete this step).
08
Direct deposit form
INFO FROM YOU
You’ll need your bank account and routing numbers.
Questions? coaches@teamread.org · 206.252.0194
Renton
Renton (Renton School District · hourly hiring paperwork)
Early September: selected applicants required to complete the district’s hourly hiring paperwork/requirements. Please check your email daily.
Typical hourly hire packet
01
Application
INFO FROM YOU
Will request your name and contact information, as well as some or all of the following: previous work experience, personal or professional references (family members and teachers are acceptable), emergency contact information, and any criminal history.
02
Criminal background check form
Signature
Required for your consent to conduct a criminal background check prior to hire (may also ask for your Social Security Number).
03
Equal opportunities policy statement
Signature
Provides the district’s official equal opportunities policy.
04
Workplace safety & Worker’s Comp
Signature
Information from the state and your employer about work-related safety (proper lifting techniques) and what to do if you’re injured on the job.
05
Employee responsibilities and selected district policies
Signature
Lists the names of/links for the district’s policies that apply to you as an hourly employee.
06
WA State Department of Retirement Systems Eligibility Documentation Form
INFO FROM YOU
If you’ll be working for your school district and another company/organization at the same time, you’ll need to disclose if the other one is also a WA State public employer (like the public library, state college/university, etc.).
07
Fingerprint confirmation form
18 and Older
WA State requires all K-12 school employees 18 years of age or older to be fingerprinted (if you are under 18, you don’t need to complete this step).
08
Direct deposit form
INFO FROM YOU
You’ll need your bank account and routing numbers.
Questions? coaches@teamread.org · 206.252.0194
Tukwila
Tukwila (Tukwila School District · hourly hiring paperwork)
Ongoing until mid-October: selected applicants invited to complete the district’s hourly hiring paperwork/requirements; due mid October. Start as soon as possible – don’t wait until the last minute.
Typical hourly hire packet
01
Application
INFO FROM YOU
Will request your name and contact information, as well as some or all of the following: previous work experience, personal or professional references (family members and teachers are acceptable), emergency contact information, and any criminal history.
02
Criminal background check form
Signature
Required for your consent to conduct a criminal background check prior to hire (may also ask for your Social Security Number).
03
Equal opportunities policy statement
Signature
Provides the district’s official equal opportunities policy.
04
Workplace safety & Worker’s Comp
Signature
Information from the state and your employer about work-related safety (proper lifting techniques) and what to do if you’re injured on the job.
05
Employee responsibilities and selected district policies
Signature
Lists the names of/links for the district’s policies that apply to you as an hourly employee.
06
WA State Department of Retirement Systems Eligibility Documentation Form
INFO FROM YOU
If you’ll be working for your school district and another company/organization at the same time, you’ll need to disclose if the other one is also a WA State public employer (like the public library, state college/university, etc.).
07
Fingerprint confirmation form
18 and Older
WA State requires all K-12 school employees 18 years of age or older to be fingerprinted (if you are under 18, you don’t need to complete this step).
08
Direct deposit form
INFO FROM YOU
You’ll need your bank account and routing numbers.
Questions? coaches@teamread.org · 206.252.0194
In addition to the requirements above, you’ll also be asked to complete the federal I-9 and W-4 forms. You’ll fill out these forms for every job you hold in the U.S. throughout your career. Visit our detailed walkthrough of these two documents for more information.
- Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) – A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) document used to verify your identity and ability to legally work in the United States. You can find the official instructions here.
- Employee’s Withholding Certificate (W-4) – An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) document that includes all the information your employer needs to withhold the correct amount of taxes from your paycheck each month and fill out your tax documents each year. The official instructions begin on page 2 of the form.
Who can become a Team Read coach?
Washington State public school districts usually include some form of the documents below (there may be more or fewer, depending on your district). Some require information from you; others are for your information and you’ll acknowledge receipt.
How much time does coaching require?
Washington State public school districts usually include some form of the documents below (there may be more or fewer, depending on your district). Some require information from you; others are for your information and you’ll acknowledge receipt.
When should I apply?
Washington State public school districts usually include some form of the documents below (there may be more or fewer, depending on your district). Some require information from you; others are for your information and you’ll acknowledge receipt.
What documents do I need?
Washington State public school districts usually include some form of the documents below (there may be more or fewer, depending on your district). Some require information from you; others are for your information and you’ll acknowledge receipt.
When does training happen?
Washington State public school districts usually include some form of the documents below (there may be more or fewer, depending on your district). Some require information from you; others are for your information and you’ll acknowledge receipt.
- Applications open · 2026–27