By Charlie Moon, Team Read intern from the Bush School
Teen coaches are the backbone of Team Read, as they are the ones who work in close contact with student readers. They work with the kids twice a week to build confidence and spark joy and love for literature. Coaches are also there to build a connection and help them become proficient readers. Over the course of one week, I interviewed coaches to discover their insights about coaching, their cherished moments with Team Read, and what they’ve learned.
Many coaches expressed how the best part of Team Read is the students they get to coach. Benjamin and Tenzin who coach at Bailey Gatzert Elementary stated that they see themselves in their kids. For Benjamin, being a coach at Team Read is coming full circle. “When I was younger, I was also in Team Read. I’m trying to make sure they are having the same great experience that I had.” Tenzin echoes this in saying that “I see myself in them, like when I was younger, I really liked to read, but I remember struggling with some of the books.” While they might connect with their kids on similar shared experiences, Vincci, coaching at Cascade View Elementary in Tukwila, takes a unique approach to connect with his reader by playing games during breaks: “It’s really connection, connection building, asking subtle questions.” In contrast, Calista, a 10th grade coach at Kimball Elementary, finds the best part of Team Read is interacting with the other coaches.
Coach Huda remarks that, like readers, “I’ve been getting better at reading and writing myself. And teaching the little kids has helped me as well.” Ruweyda follows, expressing that everyone is different and that sometimes another approach is needed to teach successfully. Jordyn shares a similar sentiment, stating that “People are on different paths and that it takes them different times.” Patience is necessary while teaching kids, and Stella goes about this by letting her kid sound out any words he doesn’t know until it clicks – a strategy that works for her.
Coaching also comes with critical lessons for themselves, not just the ones teens work on with readers. Maxine, a 10th grader at Franklin High School, discovered that “You’re not always going to be able to teach everything and that’s okay.” Finally, Maggie, a 10th grader at Garfield High School finds that despite challenges that come with reading practice, the process is still gratifying: “It’s really nice to see their accomplishments.”
Thank you to all of the coaches at Team Read for your work and dedication to teaching young readers!