With the end of the school day approaching, teachers are always looking for ways to keep their students engaged.
At Putnam Heights Elementary on Thursday, Assistant Principal Deserae Jackson and the other teachers and administrators at the school were the ones who had to contain their excitement for the end of the day.
The school teamed with the Thunder to have the Rolling Thunder Book Bus, presented by American Fidelity, come to the school in order to give their kids an opportunity to receive a free book. The visit was a surprise for the students, and along board was Mitch McGary, who was “the tallest bus driver ever” according to one plucky student.
“They didn’t even know the bus was coming, so they’re very excited to see a player,” Jackson said. “They see how important reading is, that they’re encouraging reading and that you can’t get anywhere without it.”
McGary, a rookie drafted by the Thunder in the first round of the 2014 Draft, has been active in the Oklahoma City community since arriving. Thursday, however, was his first visit on the Book Bus and it proved to be a unique experience for the rookie.
He had helped out at Thunder Youth Basketball camps earlier in the summer, which was right in his element. On the Book Bus, McGary got the chance to spend time with children in a different way and help them learn in academics as opposed to on the basketball floor.
“It’s definitely good for the community and to get out there and teach kids that it’s important to read,” McGary said. “It’s important to give back and to help them get a free book, hang out on the bus and see some kids. It’s fun.”
Simply getting a book can be a great way to influence kids to take their educations home with them, but having a player like McGary there to encourage them is also a huge boost for teachers. Hearing from teachers every day how important reading is and that they should continue their education at home is one thing, but to have a Thunder player there to reinforce those ideals can make quite a difference.
“Professional sports players are like their idols,” Jackson said. “To have one come to school and tell them, support what the teachers are saying, teach them manners and reinforce what we teach in school is priceless.”
More than anything, McGary wanted to lend a helping hand to the teachers in their efforts to inspire students to learn, but it was also a great opportunity to simply bring smiles and cheer to young Oklahoma City kids. McGary has a passion for giving back to youths and giving them an exciting afternoon that they’ll remember for a long time.
“I just love kids. It’s pretty cool to hang out with kids and give back when you can,” McGary said. “For them to look up to you and think the world of you just being a basketball player, it’s pretty amazing. I’d love to do this any chance that I can.”