November/December Staff Member of the Month

  1. Updates

Mr. L is a special education teacher at Emerson School in Phoenix, AZ. He truly understands the value of Playworks and the impact it can have on the Emerson school community and especially his students. He is a strong advocate for and believer in play and uses it as a tool to help his students better relate to their peers, to give them socialization cues and skills, to build resilience and empathy, and to unleash their creativity.

Outside of his scheduled CGTs (during which he ensures everyone plays), you will often find him working with his students to review the games they learned so they feel confident playing at recess. Beyond that, over the last month, Mr. L's students have been using their free time to create their very own tag games to teach their classmates so that they can all play together at recess. Mr. L. is such a vital member of the school community and it is a pleasure for the Playworks Coach to work with him! We are grateful for superstar teachers like Mr. L who continually help Playworks to #EnergizeAZ.

More Updates


March 24, 2025

How Play Fuels Academic Success ›

One of the most impactful ways to support student learning starts with play.  At Playworks, we’ve seen firsthand how the benefits of play extend far beyond recess time. When kids…

February 11, 2025

Resourceful Play with Minimal Equipment ›

Imagine a rainy day when outdoor recess is canceled or a play area with no traditional play equipment in sight. Even in these moments, kids, with the help of adults,…

January 13, 2025

Making Any Space a Playspace ›

Play is essential to a child’s development, regardless of whether it happens on a bustling playground, in a quiet classroom, or even in a small hallway. While a traditional outdoor…