Since 1998, over 13,000 local teens have gained valuable work and life experience as Team Read coaches. Among them are Ruby, now a Washington State employee, and her daughter Angela, who is a reading coach at Hazel Valley Elementary in the Highline School district. Meg Alley, Team Read’s Communication and Development Director, recently sat down with Ruby and Angela to learn more about the differences and similarities in their Team Read experiences, nearly 25 years apart.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Team Read: Let’s start with you, Ruby. Can you tell us about your experience with Team Read?
Ruby: It was my freshman year, and there was a table set up with information about after school jobs for students. That’s how I learned about Team Read. In the beginning, I was just excited to get some spending money. My parents didn’t give me enough allowance! I realized really quickly though that the paycheck was only part of it. I could see that I was really making an impact. I worked as a reading coach for all four years of high school and even in the summer.
Team Read: And how about you, Angela. What’s your Team Read story?
Angela: I’m a junior and this is my third year with Team Read. I was drawn to it because I wanted to make a difference in my community. I struggled with reading as a kid and just wasn’t interested in it. Now I can see the link between enjoying reading and reading well. So I try to make it fun and interesting for my students.
Team Read: Ruby, what was your reaction to Angela joining Team Read?
Ruby: Well, it was my idea! I saw a notification in a school district newsletter and I was really excited to see that this program that was such a good experience for me was an opportunity for Angela, so I showed it to her and said she should apply.
Team Read: And what was your reaction to that, Angela?
Angela: My mom is laughing because at first I didn’t want to do it! I just wasn’t sure it was for me and going through the hiring process seemed really intimidating for an after-school program.
Team Read: How did the hiring process go?
Angela: It was easier than I thought. There was a lot of support and I just had to follow the steps.
Team Read: Ruby, can you tell us if your experience has been different from what you know of Angela’s?
Ruby: Well, I can see the foundation is the same. It’s still one teen and one younger student which I think is so great. The training part has really grown. I can see that Angela gets a lot of information in the beginning, and then there are Zoom trainings all year. We of course didn’t have that back in 2000! But I think it’s so great that she’s learning how to handle different situations and keep up with the best ways to teach reading.
Team Read: Let’s talk more about that. What are some things each of you have learned as a reading coach?
Ruby: I think one of the biggest is that I learned to be patient. I remember being really frustrated in the beginning. My reader didn’t want to focus and I had to adapt to his learning style. I found that reading joke books really helped. I work in social services for the state of Washington now, and I can still see how that early job experience helped me. I understand that everyone learns differently, and sometimes you have to try different things to see what works best.
Angela: I’ve really learned a lot about communication. I think I communicate better with both the younger kids and my peers. I’ve really learned to stand my ground. Sometimes kids want to push boundaries and see what they can get away with. Recognizing that I’m the leader and the role model there has been a big shift for me. I’ve also really learned to get out of my comfort zone. After every session the coaches meet without readers, and we share our successes and struggles. It’s taught me how to open up and I appreciate the bond I’ve formed with the rest of the coaches.
Team Read: I remember watching you with your reader recently and seeing how he wanted to skip to his favorite part of the book. I was really impressed with how you helped him persevere through the more challenging words and kept it fun for him at the same time.
Angela, laughing: Yeah, he can be a handful but he has so much potential and when you keep him focused he does so well. I kind of think of reading coaches almost like a fitness coach. I can see the end result when my reader can’t, and I know if I keep him on track he’ll get where he needs to be.
Team Read: Are there any other Team Read highlights you want to share?
Ruby: I’m just so glad this program has continued for so long. It really makes a difference for everyone involved.
Angela: I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’m a Running Start student so improving my communication with adults has been a big goal and Team Read has helped with that. I’m in the Ambassadors (Team Read’s leadership development cohort) and that has really helped me grow as a person and young adult.
Ruby, laughing: So you’re glad I talked you into it.
Angela, also laughing: Yes. I’m very glad.
