January 11, 2018
Dear Team Read Community,
When I was hired in August of 2000 as Team Read’s Project Coordinator during the 2nd year of a 4-year “project,” I never imagined that I would spend the next 17 years engaged in the most rewarding, and important work of my life. Today, I am writing to let you know that I will be retiring this June. I want to express my gratitude to all of you in the Team Read community who have supported me so well, and I want to share my excitement about Team Read’s future with you.
Our founders, Craig and Susan McCaw, established the program in 1997 with an initial million-dollar investment supporting the reading skills of the children in Seattle most impacted by the education opportunity gap. They brought their business acumen and leadership to the development of the program model. Craig and Susan and other McCaw family members and associates provided stable funding that allowed Team Read to thrive and grow in the early years. When we received our non-profit status in 2006, individuals and local and national foundations partnered with us to make our work sustainable.
Over the last 20 years, a solid foundation has been laid for Team Read’s future. Team Read has supported over 8,000 elementary students on their journey to becoming great readers, and employed nearly 9,000 teens in meaningful jobs. We’ve continuously evaluated and improved the program and transitioned from a school year to year-round program. Our innovative public/private partnership with Seattle Public Schools provided the blueprint for developing and expanding our partnerships to include The Seattle Public Library and Highline Public Schools. This year, we are exploring innovative approaches and new community partnerships to serve even more students in Seattle.
When the Team Read Board of Directors approved our strategic growth plan in 2015, a key milestone of the plan was my retirement in the summer of 2018. I’m happy to report that just as we have implemented the other expansion and programmatic goals of our strategic plan, we are moving forward with my retirement as well.
The Board of Directors has been engaged in the planning process for my retirement for 2 years and are well prepared to hire and support the next Executive Director. Next week they are officially launching the national search for an Executive Director with the skills and leadership ability to build on our foundation of 20 years of success and grow Team Read in our region and beyond.
Team Read has always operated with a very small staff—a talented, creative, hard-working, and dedicated team. Team members have come and gone over the years, but what hasn’t changed is the caliber and quality of their work and commitment to literacy and kids. I have been blessed to know and work with in the past—Tricia McKay-Lincoln, Judy Reed, Mykcal Gilge, Laura Collins, EllenAnn Chiddix, and Giecel Panergo. I’m privileged now to work with Bill Eisele, Judy Margrath, Joanna Sibounheuang, Rose Nakano, and Kristin Galioto. My life has been made immeasurably richer by my association with you all. I will always be grateful to Joan Dore and Tricia McKay-Lincoln for hiring me and to Joan for developing our amazing program model.
Since I began working for Team Read I have watched reading and literacy demands evolve and become more complex in response to advances in technology. As the reading bar continues to be raised, the students that we serve need our support more than ever. The Team Read staff and Board, and our partners, all share a sense of urgency—far too many children can’t read at grade level by 3rd grade and are at tremendous risk of being left behind. We must serve more children and deepen our support of the children that we serve.
Seventeen years of working on behalf of Team Read has continuously renewed my belief in the importance of Team Read’s work, the creativity and genius of the model, and the vast potential of the program to grow in our region and beyond. I’m looking forward to cheering on our next Executive Director as she/he assumes the leadership of this marvelous organization and helps it deliver on its mission for the next 20 years.
When I say goodbye on June 30th, it will be with the deepest gratitude for everything I have learned, and everyone I’ve been inspired and motivated by, most especially the young people I have worked with over the years. Our teen reading coaches have given me hope for the future and I can never thank them enough for all that they’ve taught me about dedication, perseverance, service, and community.
Best regards,
Maureen Massey, Executive Director
Dear Friends of Team Read,
It is with mixed emotions that I am reaching out to you with the announcement that Team Read’s beloved Executive Director, Maureen Massey, will be retiring at the end of June 2018. Maureen has given us over 17 years of outstanding leadership and significant accomplishments. We on the Board and her colleagues at Team Read will miss her warmth, inspiration and tireless commitment to the organization.
Maureen has played a critical role in the development and success of Team Read. During her tenure, the organization has forged and strengthened valuable partnerships with Seattle Public Schools, The Seattle Public Library, and most recently Highline Public Schools. Today, Team Read provides high quality programming at 13 sites.
And in recent years, under her guidance, Team Read has introduced several new programs to respond to the needs of our community and to increase the number of children served including Team Read+, the Summer Program, and our Fourth Grade Pilot. Thanks to her dedication and leadership, a talented and incredibly hardworking staff, and a community of volunteers and generous supporters, Team Read is reaching more students than ever before. Maureen leaves a legacy to be proud of, and is leaving Team Read at a great moment for new leadership to take the helm. Team Read is on a strong trajectory to continue improving the reading outcomes and success of school children in Seattle, Highline, and beyond. The Board remains committed to this trajectory. We have the resources and plans in place to address the many opportunities ahead.
Board member Chris Burns is heading the search committee to find Maureen’s successor. Your input is important to us as we continue to support Team Read in this exciting next phase. If you have comments, questions, or concerns about this transition, please feel free to contact me at brandon.hull@me.com or 206-913-8220. The job announcement for the new Executive Director will be posted in mid-January, and we will continue to keep you updated on the search and transition process.
We also invite you to join us at the Team Read 20th Anniversary Luncheon on Wednesday, March 7 as we thank Maureen for her 17 years of dedicated service and wish her well in her retirement.
Sincerely,
Brandon Hull
Team Read Board President