Sand Springs Elementary welcomed special guest Tyler Whitesides as part of its Reading Month celebrations, delighting students with an engaging and interactive visit.
Organized by school librarian Mrs. Brady, the event gave students a chance to hear directly from the popular author of the Janitors series. Whitesides shared stories from his time at Utah State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music with an emphasis in percussion performance. He explained how working as a night janitor at a local middle school during college helped spark the creative ideas that eventually became his bestselling books.
Students were especially captivated when Whitesides brought out percussion instruments and demonstrated his musical talents, turning the visit into a lively, hands-on experience.
Mrs. Brady expressed her excitement about the visit, noting the positive impact it had on students. She said that events like this help build enthusiasm for reading, and she has seen a noticeable increase in students’ excitement about books throughout the month.
The visit left a lasting impression on students and staff alike, reinforcing the joy of reading and storytelling. Sand Springs Elementary extended its thanks to Tyler Whitesides for helping inspire a love of reading in its students.
