The shadow of Chesapeake Energy Arena nearly reaches the downtown building where John Rex Charter School stands. It was fitting, then, that a man who casts quite a tall shadow himself walked through the doors on Thursday afternoon.
Making his first appearance at a Thunder Reading Timeout, Steven Adams and his seven-foot frame, flowing curly hair and jovial attitude helped encourage students from pre-K through third grade to read. The event, presented by American Fidelity, featured Adams reading the book “J is for Jump Shot” to the group of students, the entire classroom reciting a reading pledge and then Adams passing out bookmarks and Thunder wristbands.
“It’s awesome. This is where it all starts,” Adams explained. “It’s meant to happen in the classroom first before you step out onto the court. That’s why I really love this sort of stuff.”
Throughout this summer, Adams has been helping inspire kids on the basketball court, but relished the opportunity even more to make an impact with kids in the classroom. For Dr. Joe Pierce, the Head of School at John Rex, Adams’ appearance and positive attitude about reading is something that will pay dividends for his students.
A crucial aspect of inspiring passion for learning among kids at that age is having someone they look up to other than a parent or teacher. That type of external encouragement can help them advance their education now and in the future.
“One of the things we emphasize at John Rex is the relevance of learning,” Pierce said. “This is an authentic experience to see adults as role models and be able to come in and show that reading is important no matter what your age. We teach the skills but to see someone be relevant and authentically show that is important to our kids.”
Adams’ education back in New Zealand was critical to his ability to make it to the University of Pittsburgh and then to the NBA, so he understands that learning can be a gateway to a better and more successful life. With that in mind, Adams let his personality shine through, joking with the kids, amplifying his accent and bantering with the children, sending the entire room into a fit of laughter.
Making reading and learning fun, interesting and stimulating is something the teachers at John Rex try to do on a daily basis. Having Adams there as a role model and an example of how education can not only be useful but also energizing is something the staff can utilize as motivation for the rest of the school year and beyond.
“It’s really important to be a lifelong learner and reader throughout your life,” Pierce explained. “Pre-k through third grade, that is the most critical time in a child’s life where they learn those foundational skills.”
“It’s very important, especially for vocabulary,” Adams echoed. “It’ll take you a long way. Once you get that done, you’re all set.”