The Playworks Georgia team visits Indiana for training and festivities to start the year off right.
The Georgia team enjoyed a productive and fun-filled preservice in Indianapolis, Indiana the week of August 3, 2015. The team was joined by staff and coaches from New Orleans and Indianapolis. Playworks believes in the power of play of power to bring out the best in every kid. Preservice is one of the main strategies we use to ensure Playworks coaches have the tools, experience, and expertise they need prior to setting foot on a school playground.
Preservice is an annual event in which new and seasoned coaches come together before the start of school to hone their skills. Coaches learn the five components of our direct service model and the Playworks culture of playful professionalism in order to ensure kids have a safe and welcoming playground–where they can play, thrive, and contribute. Our rock-star coaches learn the importance of knowing every child by name, creating and orchestrating games, icebreakers, transitions, and other activities to actively engage the children in play while teaching social-emotional skills that they can take back to the classroom and back to their communities. Continuing preservice, coach come together after their school day for the first few weeks of the year to provide continued professional development and share stories from the playground, troubleshoot issues, and give and receive support to each other under the supervision of the program manager.
Here is what our coaches had to say about their preservice experience:
“Preservice was awesome because everyone learned together how we can bring the power of play to every student in our schools. The best part was building relationships with the coaches and other staff members. The combination of useful training and fun networking put me in a positive mindset, and I’m ready to start the school year strong.”
– Program & Development Associate Amanda
“Preservice was awesome! It gave me the hands on experience I needed to build my confidence, to learn the games and other activities I will be leading on the playground, and to learn how to be a role model for the kids. It was definitely the best training I’ve ever gone through as a new employee – thorough and intentional with real life scenarios they we will encounter. Although I’m still a little nervous, I feel totally prepared to create a memorable and positive year for the kids.”
– Coach Paul
