Feel Good Story: TMHS Librarian and Softball Team Up for Book Club

November 1, 2024
TMHS Librarian and Softball Team Up for Book Club

Tomball Memorial High School strives to empower students to embrace a love for building community collaboration. Through continued support and new initiatives, the Wildcats are creating bonds through shared interests and teamwork. 

Leading the newest charge at TMHS is Librarian Mindy Garcia who has begun facilitating a Book Club for the TMHS Softball Team, led by Coach Marissa Stevens. Both Garcia and Stevens joined Tomball ISD this school year from a neighboring district. 

“Through this collaboration, we all read the same book and meet weekly to discuss themes and how they relate to life as a student, an athlete, and as a teammate,” Garcia said. “The books we choose are narrative nonfiction books with an overarching theme of motivation, teamwork, and the effects of positivity on team culture.”

The softball team has chosen to read The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon.

“I love this book and know the lessons will be crucial in creating a new culture here at TMHS,” Stevens said. “Mrs. Garcia also has experience teaching the book, so it was a great fit!”

The Book Club idea began a few years ago under Garcia prior to joining TISD. By finding value in this initiative, both Garcia and Stevens wanted to incorporate it on the TMHS campus once they arrived.

“Our softball coach and I came from the same school in our previous district, and she knew that this was something she wanted to do with the team here at TMHS,” Garcia said. “She reached out to me over the summer, and we started planning our timeline.”

As an educator and librarian, Garcia has been a part of several Book Clubs with teams in recent years, and understands they create a space for student-athletes to connect in ways that go beyond sports.

“It’s been amazing to watch them build empathy, share their perspectives, and discover more about themselves and each other through books,” Garcia said.

For Stevens, this Book Club is a way to establish a foundation of trust and positivity within her team.

“I think participating in this Book Club is a great way to set the tone for a positive season,” Stevens said. “We are building a new culture here and we will be grounded in this philosophy and I know it will help us accomplish all we want this season.”

Whether it is about building relationships or emphasizing the significance of reading, ultimately, this Book Club is about fostering team building, enhancing communication among the team, and building confidence and critical thinking skills for both on and off the field.

“My true end goal of leading this Book Club is to create a community of lifelong readers,” Garcia emphasized. “I do plan to collaborate with other coaches on campus, and I’m definitely open to working with other programs as well.”

Centered in the middle of campus right when you enter the doors at TMHS sits the library. Every student has an opportunity to experience the environment that has been created in that space, and it becomes a place of belonging and support. Garcia has created that environment in the short time being on campus.

“Mrs. Garcia really embraced this process and welcomed us with open arms,” Stevens said. “Her library is the heartbeat of our school and now the girls know they have a support system in her if ever needed. She is amazing and goes above and beyond for our entire school. We are lucky to have her!”