Sports and school often go hand-in-hand, and on Saturday, Jan. 17, the Golden State Warriors showed their appreciation for all teachers and instructors of the Bay Area at Educators Night. The night was filled with special moments and nods to educators and support staff.
The celebration began hours before tip-off. The Warriors organization hosted over 200 educators from local school districts at a pre-game mixer. Attendees were welcomed with food and beverages, and received a Warriors picnic blanket and commemorative shirt.
On the court, former Solano County librarian and current host of the revived PBS children’s series, Reading Rainbow, Mychal Threets was chosen as the night’s honorary Bell Ringer. “I was nervous at first, I’m not gonna lie,” said Threets after ringing the bell. “But as soon as they showed me and I just started ringing the bell, it was as simple as that.”
As Threets rang the bell, Warriors and Hornets players began to warm up on the court, giving him the chance to brush shoulders with players like Steph Curry.
At half time, students and teachers of Mission Hills Middle School in Union City took over the court in a teacher versus student scrimmage. The crowd cheered as students and teachers had a playful moment on the Warrior court.
Director of education and founder of Mission Hills Middle School, Ayse Kaya, said, “Our team has been playing on the court every year for the past 10 years, but a few years ago they put us on Educators Night and that’s a whole different experience. We love Educators Night.”
The goal of Educators Night is to show gratitude to teachers, administrators, instructors and support staff, and the mission seems to have been accomplished.
“For people like basketball players, athletes [to say] educators are cool, they are all important, gives us a chance to feel seen,” said Threets, “and for all sorts of people of all ages to know that we do have an impact on the world and the community. To be here tonight as an educator, as a helper, is such an incredible feeling.”
