Olivia Schaad
GUSD’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Favorite Book:
”
I’m in Charge of Celebrations
”
by Byrd Baylor.
Favorite Book: “I’m in Charge of Celebrations” by Byrd Baylor. “It’s special for me because I actually met this author, who lives in Arizona. She’s quite a fascinating woman to meet.”
Book synopsis: The story of a girl who shares her love for desert life as she tells of treasured experiences like dancing in the wind on Dust Devil Day or sleeping outside on a hot summer night during The Time of the Falling Stars.
Source: www.powells.com
Why is it your favorite book?: “I think because it talks about the natural world around us and how much it offers to us in terms of … using nature as celebrating life, instead of artificial things.”
When and why did you read it?: “I can’t say it actually changed my life, but the book talks about things like a bad shot in golf, and instead thinking of it negatively the book suggests to think about it as an opportunity to make a good shot on the next hole. You can take that idea and carry it over into life.”
How do you use reading and writing every day?: “I do a lot of documents, and a lot of times in those documents I have to research. Like right now, I’m quoting some things from a book called “Because Writing Matters” (by the National Writing Project and Carl Nagin) to write a memo. We had a literacy circle yesterday, and we were given homework … so all the principals and the administrators read this book.
To help me unwind a little bit, I have a novel at home that I read to relax.”
In concert with the Gilroy Unified School District’s “Love of Literacy Week,” The Dispatch will ask high-profile folks around town to discuss their favorite books. Interviews will run through the end of “Literacy Week,” Nov. 17 to 22. For more information on the program, call the district at 847-2700. The GUSD Web site (www.gusd.k12.ca.us).
