My name is Devon and I’m a new intern at Team Read. I am currently a freshman majoring in International Studies at the University of Washington, but before that I attended Garfield High School. As a sophomore there, I participated in Team Read’s program at Bailey Gatzert Elementary and worked as a reading coach. I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a tutor with Team Read, an experience that developed my ability to connect with children and learn alongside them. In addition to fostering an interest in youth education, Team Read was also one of my first job experiences, and it helped me establish values such as responsibility and dedication. Since then I’ve participated in various other programs, such as working as a camp counselor for the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle’s International District and helping to lead an environmental education youth program with Seattle Parks and Recreation. All these opportunities have taught me how to overcome challenging situations and create an environment where kids feel happy and encouraged to learn.
Many programs became highly limited as our current health policies changed with the appearance of COVID-19. However, I still wanted to find a way to re-engage with youth education, even in this new work environment. I heard that Team Read had transitioned to a virtual setting and this prompted me to reach out and see if I could get involved and help with any ongoing projects. As an intern, I am working with staff members on several different projects. In February I created a fun Valentine’s Day activity for our reading pairs and now I am focusing my attention on program data, which will help me learn more about information management and databases. I look forward to developing my professional skills and giving back to Team Read through this experience.