Staff Spotlight - Meet Symphani

At Ferry Pass Elementary, Symphani Newman exemplifies dedication and care in her role as YMCA Reads Coordinator. This year, she is serving 42 of the school’s lowest readers, helping them improve their reading skills and gain confidence.

Symphani recognized that some of her students were still hungry after the district-provided snacks. Understanding the challenges many face at home, she partnered with her church to help fund more substantial meals, ensuring her students go home full. With these donations, she’s providing sandwich supplies and snacks to meet their needs.

Symphani’s commitment extends beyond her students; she has trained and mentored nine volunteers and supported new coordinators with personalized training sessions. She also makes time to visit her students in their regular classrooms, cheering them on in all academic endeavors.

Her passion and efforts make a lasting impact, reminding us of the power of community and shared vision for success. Symphani’s heart for her students is an inspiration to us all. We are always looking for more volunteers to join Symphani in making a difference. If you’re interested in supporting our YMCA Reads program, we’d love to have you on board!