Second graders at Oakley Elementary School recently enjoyed a lively visit from former Mercer University basketball coach and children’s author Susie Gardner, who shared her book “1, 2, 3 TEAM!” during a special assembly in the school gym.
The visit was part of a multi-school tour during the Southern Conference (SoCon) Basketball Tournament in Asheville. Gardner is reading her book to students at eight elementary schools across the county, combining literacy, physical activity, and teamwork lessons in a fun and engaging way.
“I coached in the Southern Conference tournament for so many years, but I never really got to experience the community,” Gardner said. “This is a way to give back to a community that has been so good to me. This book tells a story about why we need to be a good teammate. We try to make it interactive so the kids stay engaged and really hear that message.”
The event started with Gardner reading her book to excited students. The assembly also featured basketball-themed music, coloring pages for students to take home, and a large interactive basketball game that had students cheering on their classmates. Gardner donated copies of her book to classroom teachers and the media center.
Buncombe County Schools (BCS) healthful living specialist Jennifer Johnson said the experience connects students to both literacy and real-world opportunities, including the SoCon tournament that BCS students will attend as part of “Education Days.”
“They get to learn about careers that are out there, like an author and an illustrator, and they also make a connection to the tournament,” Johnson said. “Susie wanted to share her book with as many schools as possible, and it’s a great way to combine literacy, movement, and teamwork.”
