Reading First, the largest and most ambitious beginning reading initiative funded by the United States Department of Education, is entering its sixth and final year in Georgia. The author currently serves as a coordinator for the project as well as serve as a Regional Consultant to six schools near my home in South Georgia. She is one of fourteen consultants who are responsible for supporting as many as ten schools. In her role with the schools, she visits each one at least one time a month, meets with coaches and administrators, visits classrooms, provides support, and monitors progress. This part of her job has been a joy because of the close personal relationships that it has allowed her to form as she works together with others to create the best possible situation for the teachers and students in their schools. The progress in the design and implementation of Georgia Reading First has not been constant; rather, it has progressed in fits and starts. In this brief, the author shares lessons gleaned from her own coaches as well as from other Regional Consultants and their coaches.