Arielle Swallow
AmeriCorps
Knapp
This school year, Arielle is thrilled to assume the role of a Playworks Coach. Her background includes extensive experience working with children in classroom settings; having dedicated the past 8 years to teaching music to students of all ages. Now, she’s eager to return to the rewarding work of working with kids. During her free time, you’ll find Arielle crafting, writing music, and spending quality time with her pets.
Berto Dryden
Site Specialist
Park Lane & Del Mar
Berto is a Site Specialist for Playworks Colorado. Originally from New York, Berto grew up and attended college in Georgia. While in school, he came to Colorado during the summers to work at a summer camp called Dream Big Day Camp. He officially moved to colorful Colorado in 2019 working in Aurora Public Schools. Outside of work, Berto coaches basketball, enjoys road trips, and loves live music. Berto is excited to be joining the Playworks team and is ready to get to know everyone in the community!
Brandon Lucero
Site Specialist
Monaco & Dupont
Brandon is joining Playworks as an on-site coach and is super excited to get back to working with students. He has worked a variety of different programs such as the City of Commerce City’s Youth and Teen Services as a Youth/Teen Specialist and a Program Lead with Discovery Link at DPS. Whether working with younger students or older, he always enjoyed the “keep you on your toes” nature of working with them. He has a variety of interests that keep him busy. He loves to collect and read comic books as well as play video games with friends. To keep active he loves to swim, sometimes too much, as well as play basketball and softball with his friends.
Chloe Herman
Site Specialist
Crawford & Highline
Chloe Herman just graduated from Midland University. She is very excited to be a part of Playworks. This year she is looking forward to working with children and gaining experience. Her hobbies include sports and being active (bowled in college), playing card games, and arts and crafts.
Chuck Novatka
Program Coordinator
McMeen
Chuck Novatka is excited to be re-joining Playworks as a Program Coordinator. He is a licensed educator with a background in drama and writing. His sense of “play” comes from his love of story, both personal and fictional. His most cherished time is spent with his wife and two children (and two fidgety dogs).
Davis Leibee
Site Specialist
Yale & Iowa
Davis recently graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies. He moved to Colorado to pursue his passion of helping kids. He is most excited about teaching the kids sports and making a positive impact!
Dominique Hubert
AmeriCorps Member
Rose Hill
Dominique Hubert is excited to join the Playworks Team year. He’s a former Professional Track Athlete, and has spent the last 5 years coaching youth sports. When he’s not working, you can find him in the gym or spending time with family. His favorite meal is Chicken and Waffles!
Grace Howell
Site Specialist
Boston & William Roberts
Grace is a Site Specialist and is pumped to create an environment where kids can play, grow, and connect with one another. In her free time you can find her rock climbing, losing in fantasy football, or cooking up some yummy food (roommate approved).
Jack Mervin
Site Specialist
Clyde Miller & Lansing
Jack has been a personal trainer and weightlifting coach for 5 years and coached a youth weightlifting program. He has worked with a youth weightlifting camp over the summer and loves skateboarding, snowboarding, climbing and anything outdoors! He is also a musician in his free time!
Jadyn Michael
Site Specialist
Montview & Tollgate
Jadyn is a Site Specialist this school year and is from Denver, Colorado. He played basketball at Colorado State University and Colorado Christian University. He recently worked at the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver for about 2 years. He loves movies, music, art, and obviously basketball!
Jake Seymour
Site Specialist
Lasley & Arkansas
Jake has been a lifelong advocate for self-driven growth. His passions and hobbies have taught him much about himself over the years. Now, Jake is thrilled to be making his work about play!
Jeremiah Michael
Site Specialist
Altura & Virginia Court
Kara D’Alessandro
AmeriCorps
Alsup
Kara went to the University of Colorado earning a dual degree in acting – magna cum laude and creative writing with a minor in education. After graduation, she worked as a K-8 special education para before transitioning to teach 8th grade ELA to earn her teaching license. She has always loved reading, writing, and creative play. Kara had let her experience working with students and her creativity guide her to Playworks where she is excited to help the kids learn and have fun.
Kenny Kriegel
Site Specialist
Elkhart & Laredo
Kenny is a Playworks Coach. He recently graduated from UNI with a degree in Public Health: Wellness and Fitness. He has a passion for mental and physical health. He is excited to see the growth of the kids he works with and positively influence their development.
Kylie Gregg
Program Specialist
Colfax & Soar
Kylie is a 2nd year Program Specialist & on her 3rd year working for Playworks Colorado. Originally from Kansas, Kylie earned her bachelor’s degree in strategic communication from Wichita State University in 2020. Throughout her collegiate experience and beyond, she had the opportunity to work/volunteer for several nonprofit organizations, including The Pando Initiative, Envision, Inc., Girl Scouts, and Downtown Wichita. These opportunities sparked her passion for student-focused nonprofit work. Kylie made the move to Colorado in the fall of 2021 to pursue a career in student development. With over 9 years of experience working with students, Kylie has a passion for empowering youth to grow in their leadership skills & to find the joy in play. In her free time, Kylie loves to travel, visit the mountains to ski or go camping, spend time with friends and family, and attend live music shows.
Leo Pravin
Site Specialist
Dartmouth & Jewell
Leo is excited to start his journey at Playworks because he is passionate about bringing a positive outreach to the youth!
Mackenzie Austin
AmeriCorps
Munroe
Mackenzie joins the Playworks team after being an Adventure Sports Camp Instructor and Preschool Teacher. She’s passionate about teaching through connection and play. Finding great joy influencing creativity and optimism in the youth. She hopes to inspire and empower others throughout her education journey. Mackenzie enjoys kickboxing and staying active, spending time with her puppy in nature, and expressing herself through art.
Megan Dorheim
Site Specialist
CBEA & Charles Burrell
Megan is excited to join Playworks for her first year as a Site Specialist. She takes on this new role after spending the last few months as Program Intern. Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Megan recently moved to Colorado from Oklahoma City where she was receiving her Master of Public Health from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Healthy Lifestyle Management from Creighton University in 2021. As a former collegiate athlete, Megan looks forward to encouraging kids to stay active and social! When she is not at work, you can find her spending time outside, with friends, and trying new restaurants!
Nate Hesser
Site Specialist
Quest & Side Creek
Nate Hesser is a native of Colorado. He has a little family of 3 with his wife Sarah and 1 year old baby boy Spencer. Nate loves to coach, teach, and grow the minds of the students he works with. He is so happy to be a part of the Playworks team and to show the Playworks way to schools and students in Colorado.
Sarah Sommers
Site Specialist
Vassar & Dalton
Sarah started with Playworks Colorado as a Site Specialist in November 2021. She is originally from Illinois where she was born and raised. Sarah received her Bachelor’s in Social Psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and is currently working towards her Masters in Public Administration at the University of Colorado Denver. In her free time, Sarah enjoys being active, spending time outdoors, connecting with family and friends, and playing with her cat, Leroy.
Tyler Lenox
Site Coordinator
Aurora Academy, Bishop, Sedalia & Village East
Tyler graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelors in Physical Education in 2015. He then started coaching local high school and elementary teams while substitute teaching. After moving to Colorado in 2017, Tyler soon found Playworks and began the first of his two years as a Program Coordinator in the fall of 2018. He is now starting his fifth year with Playworks in the role of Site Coordinator. Tyler’s favorite part of working with Playworks is the optimistic and playful culture that permeates through to every level of the company, and especially to the students!
Wyatt Forkner
AmeriCorps Member
Central
Wyatt is an AmeriCorps Coach serving his first year and loves to talk about books (Brandon Sanderson) and music (Pinegrove, Phoebe Bridgers). This is also his first year living in Colorado and hails from Texas with a dream of tiny home communities.